As man’s best friend, dogs deserve all the love you can give them. So why give them regular treats when you can treat them to a seven-course meal at Dogue’s exquisite dog cafe? The San Francisco-based restaurant is owned by Rahmi Massarweh and Alejandra Vasquez, who recently pitched their business on Shark Tank. As of 2024, Dogue is valued at $1 million.
Owner’s Story
Rahmi Massarweh is a chef trained in traditional French cuisine who spent years honing his craft under the guidance of various culinary experts before marrying Alejandra Vasquez.
Having both grown up around animals, they wanted to adopt a dog. They adopted Grizzly, an English Mastiff, but the puppy didn’t like the food the breeder prescribed. After a few weeks, Rahmi began experimenting with making fresh, home-cooked meals. This improved the dog’s mood, so they continued to give him handmade meals.
Opened Dogue Cafe
Many people noticed how happy and healthy Grizzly was and asked about the food he ate. These compliments inspired Rahmi and Alejandra to open a doggie daycare in 2015, five years after getting the dog.
Next, they opened two premium dog restaurants in San Francisco, serving pastries, haute cuisine, desserts and luxury drinks to canine patrons. The menus were inspired by European cuisine.
Shark Tank Tour
As the number of pet owners in the United States continues to increase, this type of service has attracted media attention. The Guardian, the New York Times, CBS News and Business Insider have all reported on Dogue.
Rami and his wife made it through the rigorous application process for Shark Tank, and their unique business helped them stand out from the crowd of applicants. Their promo was filmed on September 13, 2023, but it didn’t air until February 23, 2024. The duo’s promo was pretty awesome, and of course, Robert got to play with the dog.
After Shark Tank
Even though the episode just aired, Dogue’s co-founders are finally feeling the Shark Tank effect. Thousands of curious fans have already flooded their website. The restaurant should be fully booked for the next month, but they may see more profits from their online store, DogueSF.com.
You can visit branches in San Francisco’s Mission District and Dolores Heights. Tuesday through Friday, they are open from 1:30 pm to 6 pm, and Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm. They are closed on Saturdays and Mondays.
They have 37 reviews on Yelp with an average rating of 4.7 stars. The food on the menu ranges from $2.50 to $95. On their website, you can also find an online store with ready-to-eat meals and other items. Prices range from $4.95 to $139.99.
In the long run, restaurants may struggle in a weak economy and find it difficult to expand due to competition. Although California is Dogue’s main customer base, its online store can reach further afield.
Categories: Shark Tank
Source: svlsf.edu.vn