‘Shark Tank’ star Daymond John visits Ocoee Hardee’s

OCOEE  In honor of fast-food restaurant chain Hardee’s rolling out its new Baby Back Rib Burger, the Ocoee location rolled out the red carpet, figuratively, for a special visit from businessman Daymond John.

John, a television personality on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” paid visits to two local Hardee’s locations — one on Silver Star Road and the other on West Colonial Drive — Monday, May 15, to talk with employees and franchise owners about the new burger. 

In 2013, former Detroit Lions star Al “Bubba” Baker appeared on “Shark Tank” with his boneless ribs, called “Bubba’s-Q Boneless Ribs.” He made a deal with “Shark” Daymond John on the show to receive $300,000 for 30% equity in his company, and is in the process of owning a patent on their deboning process for the ribs.

In April, Baker made a deal with CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. — which owns sister restaurant chains Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s — to become the exclusive rib supplier for the new Baby Back Rib Burger at the two restaurants. 

The burger sells as a single patty for $5.99, a double patty for $6.79 and a one-third-pound Thickburger for $6.79. It is only available for a limited time.

“It’s very exciting, it’s not very often you get someone of his stature in our restaurant,” said Aihab Gerges, who owns the Ocoee location along with his brother, Edward.

John, who used to work at the front counter at Church’s Chicken and as a waiter at Red Lobster, said he really wanted to see the employees at Hardee’s and speak with them about the burger and the industry.

“I’m here to talk to the employees and franchise owners because they’re the people that are here on the ground and seeing the reaction to it (the burger), and it’s all about entrepreneurship,” John said. “Every single person here could be in my position or in Al ‘Bubba’ Baker’s position, and you can learn a lot from working in a system like this. I’m really happy that Hardee’s and CKE have invested in an entrepreneur like Al ‘Bubba’ Baker.”

Contact Danielle Hendrix at [email protected].