Captain Ice Cream Update | Shark Tank Season 1

ByAndrew Smith

Tim Gavern, founder of Captain Ice Cream, lacked financial security due to a downturn in his publishing career. Seeing an opportunity in his family’s ice cream heritage, he launched a mobile ice cream business with a single van. Seeking to expand and franchise this venture, he appeared on Shark Tank to secure investment. Will he earn a deal on Shark Tank Season 1? Find out in our Captain Ice Cream update and pitch recap.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick overview of what happened to Captain Ice Cream after Shark Tank.

Tim Gavern entered Shark Tank to pitch his traveling ice cream business, Captain Ice Cream. He sought $48,000 in exchange for 25% equity, but the sharks weren’t convinced, so he left the tank without a deal.

In terms of a Captain Ice Cream update, despite Tim’s efforts to franchise the business, it seems Captain Ice Cream didn’t have a long run. With no updates since 2014, it appears the business is no longer operating.

SharkResult
Kevin HarringtonNo offer
Robert HerjavecNo offer
Kevin O’Leary No offer
Barbara CorcoranNo offer
Daymond JohnNo offer

Shark Tank Captain Ice Cream Pitch

Shark Tank Captain Ice Cream Update
  • Entrepreneur: Tim Gavern
  • Business: Traveling ice cream business
  • Ask: $48,000 for 25% equity
  • Result: No deal
  • Shark: None

Tim made a dramatic entrance into Shark Tank, hoping to attract one or more sharks to fund his dream. He rode into the tank on his moped to demonstrate how Captain Ice Cream serves its customers.

Captain Ice Cream services its customers on a special scooter. Tim’s ideal franchise package would cost $12,495 and include everything you need to get started, including a branded scooter, an umbrella, a crisp white uniform, and even 500 business cards to spread the word.

Essentially, their strategy to stand out in the crowded ice cream business is to use a small, zippy vehicle, like a scooter, instead of a big truck. 

This lets them reach places regular ice cream trucks can’t, like neighborhoods with narrow streets.

Tim revealed that he owned the trademark name “Captain Ice Cream,” but his current business isn’t making much money. He only makes $200 a day working for just four hours. 

He wants the sharks’ investment to buy more of the small scooters and help franchise the business.

Kevin O’Leary doesn’t like the business. He thinks Tim’s sales are too low. Making only $200 in four hours seems like a small amount of money. 

Kevin also believes that starting a mobile ice cream business is too easy for anyone to do, so he doesn’t see it as a good investment opportunity. He’s out. 

Daymond John likes the business idea, but his gut tells him not to invest. He’s also out. 

Robert Herjavec has concerns about profitability. He feels Tim’s current sales are too low to ensure the business’s potential profitability in the long run, so he drops out of the deal.

Kevin Harrington wants to invest in businesses that already have an established franchised system. Tim doesn’t have that, so he exits the deal as well. 

Barbara Corcoran likes the ice cream itself. She would be happy to be a customer but not an investor. She’s the last shark to exit the deal. 

Tim had to leave Shark Tank Season 1 without a deal. Keep reading our Captain Ice Cream update to find out what happened to his company.  

Shark Tank Captain Ice Cream Update 

According to our Captain Ice Cream update research, after appearing on Shark Tank, the business started offering franchises for their mobile ice cream service. 

At some point, Tim’s franchise system eventually worked. He offered franchises for people to open their own Captain Ice Cream businesses, kind of like mini ice cream stores on wheels.

By mid-2014, Tim was finally able to launch his franchise model and even included branded motorized scooters (mopeds) in the package. 

The basic package cost $12,495 and came with an umbrella, a uniform, some business cards, and a fee for using the Captain Ice Cream name for a year. 

The other franchise’s package included everything we mentioned above but with a bonus. You get a custom-made 2010 Ford Transit Connect van instead of just a moped. 

This sounds perfect for someone who wants a bigger ice cream selection or doesn’t want to rely on a moped for travel. However, the price tag to get started was higher at $44,495. 

Although this price did not cover everything. You’d also be responsible for things like getting the van delivered, adding any extra features you wanted, getting the necessary licenses and permits, and paying taxes. 

It’s unclear how many franchise locations Tim was able to spin up. Further, in June 2014, the Captain Ice Cream website went offline and hasn’t come back up since.

Further, according to Sierra Truck Center’s staff page, Tim now has a new job in commercial truck sales.

Sadly, it looks like this will be our final Captain Ice Cream update.

Would you like to learn about the other companies featured in Season 1, Episode 13? Follow the links below for our other company updates from the episode.

For even more on companies and products, be sure to stop by our Season 1 Products Page! 

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Andrew is a lifelong fan of Shark Tank and an entrepreneur at heart. He started Shark Tank Recap because he wanted a single place to track what happens to the companies, founders, and deals after they air on TV. With a sharp eye for business insights and a passion for all things Shark Tank, Andrew makes sure every recap is accurate, engaging, and fun.