A Shropshire-based soup company has reported a substantial surge in demand following its appearance on the BBC television series, Dragons' Den. Bella Acland, founder of Soul Kitchen, secured a £40,000 investment from guest dragon Susie Ma during the episode, which aired on Thursday.
Since filming the show, Soul Kitchen has seen its sales increase by 920%, with nearly 500,000 soups sold. The company has also expanded its reach, now stocking products in more than 100 independent retailers. Ms Acland stated that while the firm had anticipated a sales spike, the actual growth exceeded expectations.
The investment is expected to facilitate the company's next stage of growth, with plans for more product ranges, including a noodle range due to launch in October. Ms Acland founded Soul Kitchen in Shrewsbury in 2024, aiming to offer premium, plant-powered packet soups.