Dragons’ Den Tracker

The Pitch

Mark and Eleanor Davis walked into the Den in 2007 with a caribbean ready meals made using genuine jamaican and trinidadian recipes. They were asking for £100,000 in exchange for 50% of the business.

The pitch landed well enough in the Den that at least one Dragon decided to back it.

The Deal

A deal was struck on the show. James Caan & Duncan Bannatyne offered £100,000 for 50%, and Mark and Eleanor Davis accepted.

It’s worth noting that Dragons’ Den deals agreed on camera often go through further negotiation off-screen. Some complete as shown; others are renegotiated or never finalise at all. The company’s subsequent trading history is the clearest indicator of what actually happened.

What Happened After the Show

Caribbean Ready Meals did not survive long-term. The company was dissolved in 2010, only 3 years after the Den appearance.

This is not an unusual outcome. The majority of businesses that appear on Dragons’ Den, deal or no deal, don’t make it in the long run. The show can provide a platform and capital, but it can’t substitute for a sustainable business model.

Is Caribbean Ready Meals Still Available?

No. Phillips Foods Limited is no longer in business. Companies House records show the company has been dissolved.

Related Companies

If you’re curious about other businesses from the same episode, you might also want to look at Steri Spray, Back to the Movies, Dig 'n' Drive, Lemongold. Each has its own story of what happened after the Den.

Watch the Pitch

Videos

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Top 4 Food Pitches In The Den | Dragons' Den (at 39:13)

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'The Philip Food Company' Serve The Dragons Caribbean-Ready Meals | Dragons' Den

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Will These Caribbean-Ready Meals Ignite Hunger In The Dragons? | Dragons' Den