City Bonfires

What City Bonfires does

City Bonfires is a Maryland-based, family-owned manufacturer of portable tabletop fire pits and complementary outdoor lifestyle products, founded in 2020 by Chris McCasland and Michael Opalski after both lost jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company's core product is the City Bonfire, a reusable mini fire pit (4" x 2", 1 lb) using FDA food-grade soy wax, biodegradable plant-based briquettes, and recyclable steel tins, producing up to an 18-inch smokeless flame with 3-5 hours of burn time and 450°F heat output. The product line has expanded to include s'mores kits, concrete fire pit bases, outdoor citronella candles, and The Chair Blanket — a reversible fleece/waterproof chair cover with patent-pending stretch-to-fit design that became the company's flagship after its March 2026 Shark Tank appearance, where Robert Herjavec invested $200,000 for 20% equity.

The company operates a hybrid direct-to-consumer and wholesale business model. Primary revenue comes from DTC e-commerce through citybonfires.com and a dedicated B2B site (gifts.citybonfires.com) supporting corporate gifting with logo customization, multi-recipient shipping, and 24-unit minimums. Distribution extends through national retail partnerships with Tractor Supply, Wegmans, Ace Hardware, and Amazon, as well as a corporate gifting program serving clients including Google, McDonald's, Boeing, Amazon, Meta, and Mr. Beast/Feastables. Pricing is unit-based with volume discounts (e.g., $14.95-$24.95 per City Bonfire, $49.99-$59.99 per Chair Blanket) plus seasonal sales and bundle pricing.

City Bonfires was acquired by Back Home Products in 2024, joining a portfolio of outdoor lifestyle brands while founders retained involvement. The company has reported cumulative sales of over 1 million City Bonfire units worldwide and 500K-1M+ happy customers, supported by earned media (People Magazine, Forbes, GMA, CNBC, Today Show) and recent industry recognition including Outdoor Innovation Awards Camping Furniture Product of the Year, NHPA Retailers' Choice Award, and PPAI Top 10 Promotional Products. The company maintains a partnership with Global Empowerment Mission for disaster relief and operates primarily across the United States and Canada.

Name

City Bonfires

Legal name

City Bonfires LLC

Website

https://citybonfires.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

City Bonfires is a Maryland-based manufacturer of portable tabletop fire pits and outdoor lifestyle products, serving consumers and corporate gifting clients through DTC e-commerce, retail partners (Tractor Supply, Wegmans, Ace Hardware), and B2B programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Consumer Products

NAICS

Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341)

SIC

Miscellaneous Furniture & Fixtures (2590), Retail-Furniture Stores (5712)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYCRAIAIAI

Outdoor Heating, Fire Pits & Fireplaces Retail

Consumer Products & Retail/Home & Furniture Retail/Gardening & Outdoor Living Retail (Patio, Grills, Lawn & Garden)

SECONDARYCRAMAMAC

Camping Furniture & Camp Kitchen Retail

Consumer Products & Retail/Sporting Goods & Outdoor Retail/Camping, Hiking & Climbing Retail

SECONDARYCRACACAG

Outdoor & Specialty Major Appliance Retail (Outdoor Kitchens, Grills, Ice Makers)

Consumer Products & Retail/Consumer Electronics & Appliances Retail/Home Appliance Retail (Major Appliances)

SECONDARYCRADAKAJ

Insect & Pest Control (Indoor/Outdoor Insecticides, Repellents, Traps)

Consumer Products & Retail/Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Manufacturing & Brands/Home & Fabric Care Products

Keywords

• Portable fire pits
• Outdoor lifestyle products
• Smokeless bonfire
• Corporate gifting
• Chair blankets

Headquarters

HQ city

Bethesda

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product Sales (DTC): Direct-to-consumer sales of portable fire pits, s'mores kits, Chair Blankets, outdoor candles, and accessories through e-commerce websites. Individual and bundle pricing with seasonal sales promotions.
2. Corporate Gifting & Bulk Orders: B2B corporate gifting program offering customized products with logo placement, bulk pricing with 24-unit minimum, and multi-recipient shipping capabilities. Custom lid and gift box customization available.
3. Gift Cards: E-gift cards sold in denominations of $25, $50, $100, $150, and $200 for gifting occasions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

City Bonfires designs, manufactures, and sells portable, reusable mini fire pits (the "City Bonfire") made in Maryland with FDA food-grade soy wax and biodegradable plant-based briquettes in recyclable steel tins. The product line has expanded to include The Chair Blanket (a reversible fleece/waterproof outdoor chair cover), s'mores kits, concrete fire pit bases, outdoor candles, the new Pizza Oven, and custom-branded corporate gifts. Distribution runs through DTC e-commerce, a dedicated B2B corporate gifting platform, and major U.S./Canadian retailers including Tractor Supply, Wegmans, Ace Hardware, and Amazon.

Product overview

City Bonfires is a family-owned Maryland company offering portable fire pits and outdoor lifestyle products. The core product line centers on the City Bonfire portable fire pit (handmade in Maryland with nontoxic soy wax and plant-based briquettes), complemented by The Chair Blanket product line (as seen on Shark Tank, including fleece and beach towel editions), S'mores kits and accessories, concrete fire pit bases, outdoor candles, and corporate gifting services. The company also offers specialized editions (USA Limited, Birthday, Holiday), emergency bundles, and custom branded products for corporate clients including Google, McDonald's, Boeing, and Amazon.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Chair Blanket: A cozy, reversible blanket and waterproof chair cover that attaches to outdoor chairs, featuring fleece on one side and waterproof backing on the other. Available in multiple editions including Polar Fleece, Beach Towel, and Realtree Camo. Featured on Shark Tank Season 17.

Products and services

• City Bonfire Portable Fire Pit The original mini portable fire pit, handmade in Maryland with nontoxic FDA food-grade soy wax and biodegradable plant-based briquettes in a recyclable steel tin. Burns 3-5 hours with up to 18-inch smokeless flame, reusable, weighing 1 lb in a 4" x 2" tin. For consumers seeking a safer, easier, smoke-free alternative to traditional wood bonfires for backyard, camping, beach, and outdoor cooking use.
• The Chair Blanket Reversible cozy chair cover with ultra-soft fleece on one side and waterproof backing on the other. Features stretch-to-fit backing to stay secure, built-in carry bag, and fits Adirondack chairs, camping chairs, stadium seats, and more. As-seen-on-Shark-Tank product with patent-pending status. For consumers wanting comfortable, dry outdoor seating at sporting events, camping, tailgating, beach, and patio use.
• Beach Towel Chair Blanket Beach towel edition combining quick-dry performance micro-terry towel fabric with waterproof chair cover backing. Sand-resistant, quick-drying, with stretch-to-fit backing and built-in carry bag. For beach trips, pool days, and summer travel.
• S'mores Night Pack Complete s'mores kit including 1 City Bonfire, graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate bar, and 2 portable reusable skewers for a mini bonfire and s'mores experience. For families, couples, and gift buyers.
• S'mores Family Pack Larger s'mores kit with expanded quantities for family gatherings, including 16 graham crackers, 8 marshmallows, 2 chocolate bars, 4 reusable skewers, and 2 City Bonfires. For families and group outdoor entertaining.
• S'mores Kit (Makes 4) Refill kit containing ingredients for 4 s'mores — graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate bar — for use with City Bonfire portable fire pit. For existing City Bonfire owners.
• City Bonfire 10-Pack Bulk pack of 10 City Bonfire portable fire pits with up to 18-inch smoke-free flame each. Available in Original Edition, USA Limited Edition, and Glow in the Dark variants. For larger gatherings, events, and frequent users.
• City Bonfire 5-Pack Bulk pack of 5 City Bonfire portable fire pits for larger gatherings or frequent use.
• City Bonfires Emergency Bundle Emergency preparedness bundle featuring City Bonfire units designed for disaster relief and emergency heating/cooking situations. Pairs with the company's giving-back mission via Global Empowerment Mission.
• The Starter Kit Complete starting bundle for new City Bonfire customers with essential products to begin using the portable fire pit.
• City Bonfires Camping Bundle Curated bundle of camping essentials including City Bonfire and related accessories for outdoor adventures.
• City Bonfires Best Seller Bundle Gift bundle featuring top-selling City Bonfire products and accessories.
• Shark Tank Bundles Curated product bundles featuring The Chair Blanket and City Bonfire products, capitalizing on Shark Tank Season 17 visibility.
• Outdoor Candles Outdoor candles in multiple scents including citronella, citronella & eucalyptus, and s'mores-scented citronella, plus variety packs. For outdoor ambiance and insect repelling.
• Concrete Semi-Round Fire Pit Semi-round concrete fire pit base for holding City Bonfire units, decorative outdoor fire feature. From $89.95.
• Concrete Cone Fire Pit Cone-shaped concrete fire pit base, decorative outdoor accent piece for City Bonfire use. From $119.95.
• Classic Cylinder Concrete Fire Pit Classic cylindrical concrete fire pit base for outdoor entertaining with City Bonfire. Pricing varies.
• The Throw Blanket Throw blanket companion to The Chair Blanket, providing additional warmth and comfort for outdoor seating. Priced at $29.99.
• Lid Buddy Lid accessory for City Bonfire for safe extinguishing and handling of the portable fire pit.
• Trivet/Candle Holder Metal stand for safely placing City Bonfire on tables and surfaces, protecting from heat damage.
• Portable Reusable Skewer 4-Pack Set of 4 reusable metal skewers designed for roasting marshmallows and making s'mores over City Bonfire.
• S'mores Sticks and Bag 4-Pack Roasting sticks with attached carrying bag for convenient storage and transport of s'mores preparation tools.
• Portable Camp Stove/Stand Combo Collapsible camp stove and trivet stand combo for cooking with City Bonfire outdoors.
• Pizza Oven New outdoor pizza oven expanding the City Bonfires outdoor cooking product line.
• City Bonfire E-Gift Card Digital gift cards available in $25, $50, $100, $150, and $200 denominations for gifting to City Bonfires customers.
• Custom Corporate Gifts Customized City Bonfire and S'mores Kit products with company logos for corporate gifting, events, weddings, and promotional items. 24-unit minimum order, custom lid and gift box branding, multi-recipient shipping up to 500 recipients, 3-day standard or 7-day custom turnaround. Enterprise clients include Google, McDonald's, Boeing, Amazon, Meta, and Mr. Beast's Feastables.
• City Bonfire USA Limited Edition Special edition City Bonfire featuring patriotic American-themed design.
• City Bonfire Happy Birthday Edition Celebration-themed special edition City Bonfire for birthday occasions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million units sold worldwide
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Global Empowerment Mission (GEM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity Bonfires partners with Global Empowerment Mission for disaster relief initiatives, donating products to affected communities during hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and tornadoes. GEM is known for rapid emergency response, transparency, and immediate and long-term recovery support.
• Tractor SupplycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational US retailer carrying City Bonfires products in stores across the country. Tractor Supply serves outdoor enthusiasts and farmers with agricultural and lifestyle products.
• WegmanscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional grocery chain with outdoor and seasonal product sections in their stores, offering City Bonfires products to customers across their retail footprint.
• Ace HardwarecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHardware retailer chain featuring City Bonfires in their camping, outdoor, and patio product sections. Ace Hardware recognized The Chair Blanket as a top product pick at their 2026 Spring Convention.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Coleman: Mass-market outdoor/camping brand with camp stoves, fire products and outdoor cooking gear; overlaps with City Bonfires' camping, S'mores kit and outdoor cooking customer segments.
• Lamplight Farms (Tiki Brand): Established outdoor fire and torch brand (Tiki torches, fire fuel, citronella products) with deep retail penetration; comparable to City Bonfires' outdoor candles and backyard fire offerings.
• YETI: Premium outdoor lifestyle brand with broad product portfolio including coolers, drinkware and outdoor fire products; competes for the same premium outdoor consumer wallet and retail shelf space.

Direct peers

• Rumpl: Outdoor-focused blanket and chair-cover brand with technical fabrics (waterproof, fleece, quick-dry); directly comparable to The Chair Blanket and Beach Towel Chair Blanket product lines.
• Solo Stove: Direct competitor in portable and backyard fire pits, known for smokeless stainless steel designs and a strong DTC and retail brand — overlapping customer base with City Bonfires' portable outdoor fire pit line.
• Breeo: Specializes in smokeless fire pits and outdoor fire pit cooking accessories, competing head-to-head with City Bonfires on the 'smokeless outdoor fire' value proposition for patios, backyards and camping.

Emerging players

• BioLite: Designs portable outdoor cooking, fire and energy products (camp stoves, fire pits, solar/charging gear) targeting the same outdoor enthusiast and emergency-preparedness customer segments as City Bonfires.
• Ignik: Outdoor fire and warming products brand, including portable fire pits and gas canisters; overlaps with City Bonfires' portable fire pit and emergency bundle use cases.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/citybonfires
• Instagraminstagram.com/citybonfires
• TikToktiktok.com/@citybonfires
• Pinterestpinterest.com/citybonfires
• Xx.com/CityBonfires
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/citybonfires

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about City Bonfires