Shark Tank Host Obtains Restraining Order Against Influencer
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Daymond John, a renowned host of the hit TV show Shark Tank, has taken legal action to obtain a temporary restraining order against three former contestants who accused him of attempting to seize control of their business. Al “Bubba” Baker, his wife Sabrina, and their daughter Brittani, owners of Bubba Q’s Boneless Baby Back Ribs, claim that John, along with some of his associates, sought to exploit their family business by obstructing potentially lucrative business partnerships and ultimately aiming to gain control of the restaurant. The Los Angeles Times conducted an investigation into the matter.
The Baker family, who appeared on Season 5 of Shark Tank, expressed their discontent and referred to their experience with John as a “nightmare.” They also raised concerns about their business arrangement with John and Rastelli Foods Group, a meat manufacturer that supplies the restaurant’s ribs. In response, John has pursued a temporary restraining order to prevent the family from publicly divulging details about the case. Rastelli Foods Group has also sought a restraining order against the Bakers, alleging that the family made false and defamatory statements about the company.
During their appearance on the show, John had initially agreed to invest $300,000 for a 30% stake in Bubba Q’s. However, the family claims that John modified the agreement off-air to a $100,000 investment for 35% ownership. They further assert that John ignored their complaints regarding a former Shark Tank contestant he enlisted to build the restaurant’s website. Additionally, the family alleges that John withheld financial details of the business, revealing that they only received 4% of Bubba Q’s revenue, which amounted to $16 million.
Shark Tank's Daymond John Seeks Restraining Order Against Former Reality Show Entrepreneurs pic.twitter.com/jRhAm6YUzs
— People (@people) June 2, 2023
John’s spokesperson responded to the allegations, stating that the Bakers were given multiple opportunities to rectify their supposed violations. The spokesperson emphasized that the temporary restraining order was necessary due to the Bakers’ blatant actions in undermining a business partnership and disregarding the legal parameters they had agreed to four years ago. Furthermore, John took to TikTok to accuse the Bakers of breaching a confidentiality agreement, while the Bakers maintained that they had the right to speak about the issue.
In their letters to a New Jersey judge, the Bakers asserted that Rastelli Foods and Daymond John had violated the settlement agreement by excluding Al from participation and collaboration in relation to the product. They expressed suspicion of fraudulent and illegal activities in the accounting practices between Rastelli Foods and John, leading them to reach out to government agencies for investigation.
The legal dispute between Daymond John, the Bakers, and the Rastelli Foods Group continues to unfold as both parties stand firm in their positions.
