‘Shark Tank’ generates buzz for local Sub Zero franchise

The TV show "Shark Tank" generated a positive ripple effect for a Federal Way ice cream shop.

The TV show “Shark Tank” generated a positive ripple effect for a Federal Way ice cream shop.

Jerry and Naomi Hancock, the Utah-based creators of Sub Zero, appeared on the reality show in January. The show, which airs Fridays on ABC, features a group of high-profile investors who hear pitches from entrepreneurs in need of financial assistance.

The Hancocks sought $300,000 for a 12 percent stake in the company. The “sharks,” which include billionaire Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, declined to invest in the company.

However, after the show aired, a buzz apparently spread about the ice cream shop. The Sub Zero franchise in Federal Way saw lines out the door and a 40 percent spike in sales, according to owner Jack Walsh. He said customers from cities up and down I-5 have visited the Federal Way store, which opened in September 2011 as the first in the state. The next closest franchises are located in Longview, Wash., and in Boise, Idaho.

Each ice cream dish is made to order and flash frozen with liquid nitrogen — bringing temperatures to 321 degrees below zero and creating a science-lab scene as a white cloud bubbles over the bowl. The sweet concoction turns from liquid to frozen ice cream in about 15 seconds. Customers can choose from an array of flavors and “mix-ins.”

Learn more

• For the second year in a row, Sub Zero has won the Best Ice Cream category in The Mirror’s annual Best of Federal Way awards. Sub Zero is located at 31653 Pacific Highway S. near Best Buy.

• To watch the Sub Zero clip from “Shark Tank,” see below or click here.