All Avocado Brooklyn Restaurant Gets Big Name Backing To Expand

SUNSET PARK, NY — An all-avocado restaurant in Industry City got a $400,000 investment from Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran on the popular show "Shark Tank" to expand to more locations around the country.

Avocaderia, which opened in Industry City last year, secured the deal with the famous investors on Sunday's episode of "Shark Tank." Co-owner Alessandro Biggi said on the show they plan to use the funds to help them open up more locations around the city and eventually set up shop in Los Angeles, San Diego, Miami and Texas.

Biggi told the investors on the show Avocaderia wants to open 20 locations across the country within five years and franchise out the all-avocado restaurant. He originally asked for $300,000 for a 10 percent stake in his company and eventually made a deal with real estate mogul Corcoran and Dallas Mavericks owner Cuban for $400,000 giving up 20 percent.

"Shark Tank" is a reality show where business owners and inventors ask for funds from a group of five "shark" investors for exchange for equity in their company. The show is currently on its ninth season.

Avocaderia was started by three Italians who fell in love with avocados in Mexico and opened up inside the Industry City food hall in April. The spot was a quick hit serving an estimated 200 people on its first day, which forced it to close early because they ran out of their key ingredient, avocados.

"It was unexpected," Brachetti previously told Patch.

"We knew people were going to like the concept. But they really loved what we offered them. Some people, they just ordered one of everything straight away. So we were a bit outnumbered by the love of people, basically."

The group quickly got to work on a second location in the city, which they plan to open inside the Terminal Warehouse in Chelsea in the spring, and they expect to rake in $750,000 this year, Biggi said on "Shark Tank."

Image courtesy of Avocaderia