$1Mfor 10%
Protein Candy
Valued at $10M
The pitch
Cheryl Zealand from Winnipeg, MB, pitched Cranked Energy Bars in Season 19, Episode 4, asking the Dragons for $250K for 15% of the company.
- Asked for$250K for 15%
- Valuation$1.67Mimplied by the ask
- OutcomeNo deal
Offers in the Den
| Dragon | Offer | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Arlene Dickinson | Difficult refrigerated bar category | Out |
| Michele Romanow | Struggles with the refrigerated format | Out |
| Manjit Minhas | Better partners exist for this | Out |
| Brian Scudamore | Product too competitive for the space | Out |
| Simu Liu | Not the right fit for expertise needed | Out |
Cheryl Zealand, a CPA and mom from Winnipeg, Manitoba, sought $250,000 for 15% of Cranked Energy, maker of refrigerated protein oatmeal bars sold in six flavours plus a monthly limited edition, retailing between $3.50 and $4.25 and wholesaling between $2.50 and $2.70, with a production cost of $1.10 per bar. The company has generated $4.5 million in cumulative sales since 2018, did $830,000 last year and projects $1.1 million this year, is 99% concentrated in about 100 Manitoba stores, carries no debt, and has been profitable at 8 to 15% net income; Cheryl Zealand is developing automated equipment to cut labour costs in half.
Arlene Dickinson, Michele Romanow, and Simu Liu went out citing the difficulty of the refrigerated bar category and the crowded market. Manjit Minhas and Brian Scudamore also declined, with Manjit Minhas saying better partners exist for the business. No deal was made.
Pitch details from CBC’s Dragons’ Den pitch page.
Cranked Energy Bars today
- StatusIn businessLast checked September 2026
Cranked Energy Bars is still operating and sells through its website.