The Chair Blanket - Shark Tank Update

In Season 17, Episode 12 of Shark Tank, entrepreneurs Chris and Tiffany McCasland introduced The Chair Blanket, a patent-pending hybrid chair cover and blanket designed to keep outdoor seating warm, dry, and comfortable. Seeking $200,000 for 10% equity, the Rockville, Maryland founders explained how the product combines a waterproof, wind-resistant exterior with a plush insulating underside that stretches securely over most chairs, preventing the slipping and blowing away that traditional blankets often suffer from at sporting events, camping trips, patios, and tailgates.

The idea was originally created by inventor Ryan Brooks to solve the everyday problem of damp, dirty outdoor seating, and the McCaslands—who previously scaled their portable lifestyle brand City Bonfires to over a million units sold—helped transform the concept into a consumer product aimed at the fast-growing outdoor comfort and tailgating markets. During the pitch, the founders demonstrated how the two-sided design keeps seats dry while also adding warmth and comfort, positioning it as a practical solution for stadium seating, camping chairs, and backyard gatherings.

Although only about eight minutes of the segment aired on television from a much longer taping, the entrepreneurs highlighted their early traction and growing customer demand while walking the Sharks through the product’s design, pricing strategy, and potential expansion into sports and outdoor lifestyle markets.

After negotiations between Kevin O'Leary and Robert Herjavec, the founders ultimately accepted a $200,000 investment from Herjavec for 20% of the company after turning down O’Leary’s offer, which included a royalty component. The national exposure quickly translated into major momentum for the business.

In the hours following the broadcast, daily sales surged by as much as 850% and more than 3,000 orders were placed as the couple worked overnight to keep inventory synced across platforms like Amazon, Shopify, and Walmart. Since launching in November 2024, the company—operating under City Bonfires LLC—has already sold around 70,000 units and generated roughly $3 million in revenue, employing a small team while operating primarily from a warehouse in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

The business has also continued expanding during the months between filming and airing, releasing additional product variations and securing collegiate licensing deals with schools like the University of Maryland, Louisiana State University, the University of Alabama, and Penn State as they look to grow into the tailgating and sports fan market. With versions priced around $59.99 and available in multiple designs, The Chair Blanket has quickly positioned itself as a versatile outdoor lifestyle product—appealing to tailgaters, campers, and backyard users—while also gaining media attention and recognition as one of the standout promotional products showcased at the 2026 PPAI Expo and generating increased demand from both online shoppers and potential retail partners.