Rehoboth franchisee set for ‘Shark Tank’ boost this weekend

Imagine opening your new franchise location and then learning that a popular network TV show will feature the company on an upcoming broadcast.

That’s what’s about to happen to Carlos and Amy Casas, who opened their Urban Float flotation therapy stress-reliever spa in Rehoboth Beach in early February. They’ll get to watch company founders Joe Beaudry and Scott Swerland swim with the sharks on ABC on March 17.

Urban Float’s first East Coast location has been “incredibly busy” but the team is bracing for the huge upsurge of interest that normally follows an appearance on “Shark Tank.”

“We’re booked out a week right now,” said Director of Marketing Ron Lemin. “Our first step to address additional demand from “Shark Tank” will be to extend our hours to accommodate our forecasted demand. Beyond that we’ll look at expanding or adding locations.”

Casas, who owns the store at 18979 Coastal Highway with his wife and fellow University of Delaware graduate Amy, a preschool teacher in Rehoboth Beach, declined to discuss the cost of opening the franchise location but public records indicate that the Small Business Administration guaranteed $367,800 of their $490,400 loan from Wells Fargo.

Urban Float has four corporate stores in Washington state and has sold another 30 franchises, nine of which are open. Casas, who plans to open more midAtlantic locations, says the “first float” costs $45 (half off the retail price) and that there are membership and package options for repeat floaters