Big $500K 'Shark Tank' Deal For Englewood Parents

ENGLEWOOD, NJ — David and Joanna Parker know it is not always easy to feed toddlers. That's why they created Yumble, which provides kid-friendly meals like chicken pops and veggie bites and delivers them straight to parents.

Yumble is available in 26 states, but the Parkers, parents of three kids, ages 4, 6, and 8, want to go to nationwide and after their appearance on "Shark Tank" Sunday, they're on their way.

The Englewood couple snagged a $500,000 deal with reality TV star Bethenny Frankel. The episode was filmed in the summer.

The deal gives Frankel 6 percent of the company. She will also act as its spokesperson. She has experience in the food industry. Frankel founded the Skinnygirl brand of products, which includes popcorn and coffee pods.

"We took Bethenny's deal because we really couldn't risk her walking away," Joanna Parker said on "Shark Tank" after they agreed to the deal. "We just had to jump on it and take it and we're super excited."

Joanna Parker came up with the idea for Yumble three years ago. She started by offering to make dinner for kids of parents living on the upper east side of Manhattan and in Hoboken. She brought her husband on board and off they went.

Yumble offers three plans ranging from six to 24 meals per week. Meals cost between $5.99 and $7.99. They feature all-natural ingredients like antibiotic- and horomone-free chicken. The business has done $1.3 million in sales. Parents can create their own meals from a menu of pre-made dishes.

Yumble meals also come with games, toys, stickers, and activity sheets so kids will have something to do while they eat.

Parker wants Yumble to go national by next spring.

"Getting kids to eat healthy, it's stressful, it's time-consuming," Parker said. "We're excited to help parents and I think with Bethenny on board, she can help us get to where we need to go."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Lead photo: David and Joanna Parker pitching their kids' meals home delivery service, Yumble, on "Shark Tank." (Courtesy of Joanna Parker and ABC television)

Other photos: Some of the meals Yumble offers, including a chicken enchilada, a bowl of yays (baked rotini) and chicken pops. (Courtesy of Yumble)