What FunCakes does

FunCakes is a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based LLC founded in 2007 by owner Kimberly Aya that designs, manufactures, and sells faux wedding and event cakes constructed from Styrofoam cores covered in real fondant and gum paste. Each cake includes a hidden compartment on the bottom tier—marked with a bow—where a small portion of real cake can be inserted for the ceremonial cutting and feeding ritual, allowing couples to preserve tradition while serving guests lower-cost sheet cakes from a local bakery. The company maintains a catalog of over 150 cake designs (including Modern Orchid, The Today Show, Scarlet Ivory, Secret Garden, Golden Tiers, Lace, and the 42-inch, 5-tier Princess Paige showpiece with 3,000+ handmade sugar flowers) and offers full custom design services including 2D/3D CAD-based prototyping for exact client specifications.

The business operates through three distinct go-to-market motions: direct-to-consumer e-commerce at cakerental.com (originally a rental model, pivoted post-COVID to outright sale with prices of $249-$1,399 inclusive of FedEx shipping and refundable security deposit); corporate custom sales for brands and entertainment (clients include Macy's, MAC Cosmetics, Ford, Amazon, Dow Chemical, Budweiser, Calvin Klein, and The Hangover film); and grocery retail distribution through SpartanNash (Family Fare, D&W in West Michigan and Omaha) and Jewel/Osco (186 stores in Chicago). Additional revenue streams include cake stand rentals ($65-$75 plus deposit), in-person CupCake Party decorating classes, and unit-priced sugar flower add-ons. The product is kosher certified and rabbi approved across all SKUs.

FunCakes is a privately held, founder-operated LLC with 1-10 employees, no disclosed institutional funding, and no parent entity. The company has built substantial brand recognition through earned media including ABC Shark Tank Season 6 (October 2014), NBC Today Show, Good Morning America, Rachael Ray, CNN, Entrepreneur, and Glamour, positioning itself as the originator of the fake wedding cake category. Geographic reach spans USA and Canada for rentals and is global for outright sales, with custom orders shipped via FedEx including international destinations such as Paris.

Name

FunCakes

Legal name

FunCakes LLC

Website

https://cakerental.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

FunCakes designs, manufactures, and sells faux wedding and event cakes built from Styrofoam cores covered in real fondant, with hidden edible compartments for ceremonial cake cutting. Founded in 2007 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the company serves wedding couples, corporate clients, and grocery retail across 300+ stores.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wedding Cake Products

NAICS

Baked Goods Retailers (445291)

SIC

Sugar & Confectionery Products (2060)

akta.pro primary industry

Cake Shops & Custom Celebration Cakes (THAFAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Dessert & Bakery Catering (Cakes, Pastries, Candy) (HSACAGAI)

Keywords

• Wedding cake products
• Custom cake design
• Event cake manufacturing
• Decorative sugar flowers
• Wedding cake accessories

Headquarters

HQ city

Punta Gorda

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Wedding Cake Rental: Previously, the primary revenue stream was renting fake wedding cakes to brides. Due to COVID, the company shifted to selling cakes outright rather than renting them. Cakes are designed to be rented to multiple weddings over time to generate recurring revenue.
2. Wedding Cake Sales: Post-COVID, cakes are now sold outright to customers. Prices range from $150-$1,149+ for rental portions, plus security deposits ranging from $99-$250. Total customer costs (rental price + deposit) range from $249 to $1,399.
3. Corporate Custom Cake Orders: Custom cake design and manufacturing for corporate events, TV shows, movies, and advertising. The company created 350 cakes for MAC Cosmetics worldwide in 3 weeks. Custom designs can include specific logos, themes, and CAD-based specifications.
4. Cake Stand Sales and Rental: The company also sells and rents decorative cake stands, both with and without cakes. Stand rentals range from $65-$75 plus $99 deposit. Full packages with cake rental range from $164-$174.
5. Grocery Store Distribution: FunCakes sells products through grocery store chains including SpartanNash (Family Fare, D&W in West Michigan and Omaha), and Jewel/Osco (186 stores in Chicago). Products are available in approximately 300+ grocery stores with plans to expand to 500+ more locations.
6. CupCake Party Classes: The company offers in-person cupcake decorating classes at their facility called 'CupCake Parties – EAT, DRINK & DECORATE'. Classes are 1.5 hours where participants learn to make 3 different cupcakes using buttercream and fondant.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

FunCakes designs, manufactures, and sells fake wedding and event display cakes constructed from Styrofoam cores covered in real fondant and gum paste, replicating the appearance of custom wedding cakes. Each cake includes a hidden edible compartment on the bottom tier (marked with a bow) where customers place real cake for the ceremonial cutting, while guests are served sheet cakes separately. The company offers 150+ pre-designed cake styles plus custom design services supporting up to 8-tier constructions, cake stands, sugar flower add-ons, corporate event cakes, and in-person cupcake decorating classes.

Product overview

FunCakes is a fake wedding cake rental and sales company founded in 2007, offering elaborately designed display wedding cakes covered in real fondant over Styrofoam cores. The company operates a catalog of over 150 pre-designed cake styles including Modern Orchid, The Today Show, Scarlet Ivory, Secret Garden, Golden Tiers, Lace, Princess Paige, Scallop Flowers, and specialty designs for corporate events. Each cake includes a hidden edible section for the ceremonial cutting. The product portfolio also includes custom cake design services supporting up to 8 tiers, cake stand accessories (Ellie White, Nola Black, Darlene, Kara Crystal), and individual sugar flowers. The company ships nationwide via FedEx and serves both retail wedding clients and corporate customers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Modern Orchid Wedding Cake Three-tier square wedding cake covered in real white fondant with modern black stripes and three hand-made sugar purple orchids; includes hidden edible section for the cake-cutting ceremony. Priced at $366 rental + $99 deposit = $465 total.
• The Today Show Wedding Cake Three-tier round wedding cake featured on NBC's Today Show, with soft butter-colored fondant, dark brown ribbon, and bamboo stalks made from fondant representing palm trees. Priced at $160 rental + $99 deposit = $259 total.
• Scarlet Ivory Wedding Cake Four-tier wedding cake alternating round and square shapes in ivory-colored fondant, decorated with medallions, quilting patterns, and pearl embellishments. Priced at $300 rental + $99 deposit = $399 total.
• Secret Garden Wedding Cake Four-tier white-on-white wedding cake with garden theme featuring bows, brooches, bling ribbon, and delicate lattice patterns with flower shapes. Priced at $449 rental + $150 deposit = $599 total.
• Golden Tiers Wedding Cake Four-tier wedding cake with two natural white tiers and two hand-painted gold tiers, featuring textured lines and weave patterns. Priced at $349 rental + $150 deposit = $499 total.
• Lace Wedding Cake Five-tier wedding cake with white-on-white lace pattern and rhinestone bling, featuring hand-painted pearl sheen lace on alternating tiers. Featured on Inside Edition. Priced at $399 rental + $150 deposit = $549 total.
• Princess Paige Wedding Cake Five-tier spectacular wedding cake with over 3,000 handmade sugar flowers built in three layers extending 6 inches outward. At 42 inches tall, it is the company's most elaborate show-stopper cake. Priced at $1,149 rental + $250 deposit = $1,399 total.
• Scallop Flowers Wedding Cake Four-tier wedding cake with spacers covered in white-on-white fondant, featuring scallop floating design, handmade white sugar orchids, and hand-painted luster finish. Priced at $509 rental + $150 deposit = $659 total.
• Purple Garland Wedding Cake Four-tier wedding cake in purple shades and natural white, decorated with handmade gum paste flowers, purple flower chains, dome top, and fabric ribbon.
• Mid Flowers Wedding Cake Four-tier wedding cake in natural white fondant with gold accents, featuring handmade sugar roses in white, light pink, and lavender, with gold hand-painted decorative borders.
• Black & White Wedding Cake Three-tier wedding cake in white fondant with black stripes, diamond shapes, and polka dots, featuring a handmade masquerade mask with feathers. Priced at $150 rental + $99 deposit = $249 total.
• Paisley Henna Wedding Cake Four-tier wedding cake in warm red/orange fondant decorated with classic Indian theme paisley designs in light orange and hand-cut details. Priced at $349 rental + $150 deposit = $499 total.
• 1..2..3 Create Your Custom Cake Custom cake design service allowing customers to submit pictures of their dream cake for a custom quote. Supports up to 8-tier cakes with custom colors, heights, and shapes.
• Corporate Events Custom Cakes Custom corporate event cake service supporting 2D or 3D CAD designs, custom shapes, logos in 3D or edible images, and oversized custom cakes for brand events and launches. Clients include Macy's, MAC Cosmetics, Ford, Amazon, and Dow Chemical.
• Ellie White Cake Stand Custom-designed wooden cake stand painted in eggshell cream with four ball feet, available in custom colors, with center pedestal for ribbon combination. Priced at $65-$75 rental + $99 deposit = $164-$174 total.
• Nola Black Square Cake Stand Custom wooden cake stand painted black with square shape and center pedestal for elevating wedding cakes and adding height.
• Darlene Cake Stand Custom metal cake stand with rose filigree band, hanging pearl strands and diamonds, painted in white with sturdy construction.
• Kara Square Crystal Cake Stand Custom acrylic cake stand with hanging shiny crystals around all four sides, designed to create a glow effect when filled with tulle and light underneath.
• Sugar Flower Anemone White Center Individual 3.5-inch sugar flower made from unique sugar paste formula, air-brushed with pearl essence sheen and featuring seven stamens for detail. Priced at $5.00 each with custom colors and sizes available by special order.
• CupCake Party Classes In-person cupcake decorating classes at the company facility called 'CupCake Parties – EAT, DRINK & DECORATE'. Each 1.5-hour class teaches participants to make three different cupcakes using buttercream and fondant.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50-75% cost savings compared to traditional custom wedding cakes
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and major.

• SpartanNash (Family Fare, D&W)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 May 2016FunCakes products are sold through SpartanNash grocery store chain which operates Family Fare and D&W stores in West Michigan and Omaha, Nebraska. This partnership provides retail distribution for the company's fake wedding cakes and sheet cakes to grocery shoppers.
• Jewel/OscocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2016FunCakes cakes are available through Jewel/Osco grocery chain with 186 stores in the Chicago area. This major retail partnership expands consumer access to FunCakes products through traditional grocery retail.
• ABC Shark TankflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2014Featured on Season 6, Episode 4, Week 3 of ABC's Shark Tank. The mother-and-son team presented their fake wedding cake business concept. Following the episode, the company experienced the 'After Shark Tank Effect' with significant increased interest and sales.
• MAC CosmeticsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAC Cosmetics selected FunCakes to create 350 cakes for their 'Baking Beauties' worldwide product line launch. Cakes were shipped globally, including to Paris, within a 3-week timeframe. This was described as an honor and major project for the company.
• Macy'sflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunCakes was featured at Macy's 150th Birthday Celebration and in Macy's Wedding Department. The cakes were displayed as part of in-store events and promotional activities for the retail giant.
• Ford Motor CompanymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunCakes created custom cakes for Ford Motor Company corporate events and displays. Part of the company's corporate event services vertical.
• AmazonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated cakes for Amazon TV commercial production. The cakes were used in a nationwide advertising campaign, filmed for television broadcast.
• The Hangover MoviemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated the cake featured in The Hangover movie. The company received an email with subject 'Hangover' and saw the finished cake on the BIG screen. This was described as an interesting and memorable project.
• Dow ChemicalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated display cakes for Dow Chemical corporate launch events. Part of corporate event services.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/funcakes
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/funcakes
• Facebookfacebook.com/CakeRental
• Instagraminstagram.com/funcakes
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/funcakes-llc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 FunCakes