Feasting on fame, MrBeast has cooked up a fortune beyond YouTube.
Jimmy Donaldson, better known to the world as MrBeast, is essentially the Midas of YouTube. Everything he touches turns to viral gold—or more accurately, into the kind of views that make his bank account a subject of envy. Boasting 243 million subscribers on YouTube as of March 2024, MrBeast stands as the platform’s most-subscribed individual creator. His unique blend of high-stakes entertainment and heartwarming philanthropic acts has propelled him to unparalleled success—and an estimated net worth of US$500 million.
Forbes reports that in 2023 alone, MrBeast made around US$82 million. But he isn’t just a one-trick pony. Beyond producing videos, he has diversified his portfolio to include ventures like MrBeast Burger and Feastables while dipping his toes into the world of angel investing. Curious about how this viral video genius/businessman makes so much money? Read on!
YouTube—the foundation of MrBeast’s Empire
Donaldson’s YouTube journey began in 2012 at the age of 13, creating videos on popular games like Minecraft and Black Ops and the net worth of fellow YouTubers. A viral sensation in 2017, featuring Donaldson spending 40 hours on a chair to count to 100,000, thrust his channel into the limelight.
As Donaldson’s channel gained popularity, he made a daring choice to cease his studies for a full-time YouTube career with his childhood friends. This leap of faith paid off, earning him the “Creator of the Year” award at the Streamy Awards for four consecutive years and the “Favorite Male Creator” title at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards twice.
MrBeast won the “Favorite Male Creator” award at the Kids’ Choice Awards 2022.
Image from Wikimedia Commons
Revenue from YouTube— AdSense, sponsorship and brand deals
MrBeast’s YouTube channel
Celebrity Net Worth estimates that Donaldson’s monthly YouTube earnings are between US$3 to US$5 million, thanks to ad revenue and sponsorships. His knack for creating content that consistently draws over 100 million views has made him a favorite of brands like Samsung, Quid and Honey. Earlier this year, Donaldson told Time Magazine that companies pay top dollar, sometimes between US$2.5 to US$3 million for a single shout-out. It’s clear: being in a MrBeast video is akin to hitting the marketing jackpot.
At the heart of Donaldson’s YouTube revenue stream is AdSense. This Google-owned platform for content creators translates views into dollars, with the payout heavily influenced by the CPM rate—essentially, how much ad money you make per thousand views. For a viral maestro like Donaldson, this system has proven to be incredibly lucrative.
MrBeast explained the main source of his donation in his “How I Gave Away $1,000,000” video in 2018.
Donaldson’s philanthropic videos, where he generously gives away large sums of money, have played a crucial role in amplifying his reach and, consequently, his earnings. After his initial giveaway videos broke the internet, brands have been eager to get a piece of the action, fueling Donaldson’s ability to dial up his generosity and production values.
This cycle of giving and growth has not only expanded his audience but also increased his channel’s profitability. Subsequently, he has the resources to produce more ambitious and costly projects like the viral “$456,000 Squid Game In Real Life!” video—a US$3.5 million-re-enactment of Netflix’s Korean psychological thriller Squid Game. That video alone has garnered 583 million views to date.
MrBeast re-enacted Squid Game in real life in his “$456,000 Squid Game In Real Life!” video.
Despite raking in millions, Donaldson is no miser. He reinvests the majority of his income into his projects, with an average video costing around US$2.5 million each to produce. This strategy ensures a continuous cycle of high-quality videos that keep viewers—and sponsors—coming back for more and, in turn, filling his pocket.
Beyond YouTube: Entrepreneurial Success
MrBeast Burger: A culinary phenomenon
MrBeast Burger restaurant in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Image from Wikimedia Commons
In late 2020, Donaldson ventured into the gastronomy world with MrBeast Burger, a delivery-only virtual brand that quickly captured the public’s appetite. Born from a partnership with Virtual Dining Concepts, it boasted around 300 virtual locations on its launch. The brand’s app immediately soared in popularity, topping download charts on iTunes and Google Play, while the unveiling of a physical outlet saw a staggering turnout of 10,000 people within the first ten minutes of opening.
Surpassing initial projections, MrBeast Burger reported sales of one million burgers within its first quarter, ultimately generating over US$100 million in revenue within its first year. By January 2023, the chain had expanded to 1,700 locations, amassing revenue north of US$150 million and net profits of around US$30 million.
Feastables: The sweet side of entrepreneurship
Image from Feastable’s website
Early 2022 marked Donaldson’s foray into the confectionery market with Feastables. Teaming up with Jim Murray, ex-president of protein bar company Rxbar, they launched the brand to an eager audience, securing US$5 million in funding at a valuation of US$50 million.
The brand’s chocolate bars, hitting the shelves in big-name retailers like Walmart, Target and 7Eleven, saw over one million units sold in just 72 hours, accumulating over US$10 million in sales within four months.
Feastables has since expanded its reach through strategic partnerships, including collaborations with gaming accessory brands Turtle Beach and Roccat as well as YouTuber Karl Jacobs for “Karl Gummies,” demonstrating Donaldson’s ability to blend influence with innovative product development.
MrBeast.Store: Merchandising mastery
MrBeast’s online merchandise store—MrBeast.Store
Donaldson’s venture into retail, MrBeast.Store, further showcases his business acumen. This online store, previously known as ShopMrBeast, offers fans a wide array of merchandise, from clothing to accessories, turning fan engagement into a significant revenue stream.
The success of this venture is evident, as merchandise sales contribute nearly 40% to his annual income. As per estimates, MrBeast.store has a value of over US$100 million.
What is next for MrBeast?
In just ten years, Donaldson has evolved from a teenager making videos in his bedroom to a YouTube colossus and a serial entrepreneur before even hitting 26. With sights now set on filming in the icy expanse of Antarctica and even the boundless void of outer space, Donaldson’s ambitions are literally out of this world.
Yet, it’s not all smooth sailing. The very essence of his fame and popularity brings its set of trials. Amidst charitable endeavors and viral sensations, Donaldson is currently navigating through the choppy waters of legal disputes and quality control squabbles surrounding MrBeast Burger. Moreover, his benevolent initiatives—like building 100 wells in Africa—while celebrated by some, occasionally spark debates over unintended messages, adding layers of complexity to his global impact.
But if history has shown us anything, it’s that Donaldson thrives on “challenges”. And given Donaldson’s track record of breaking the internet with each new venture, the trajectory of his empire—and consequently, his income—seems poised for continued expansion. With every venture more ambitious than the last, Donaldson’s financial success story is far from over. Wherever his next adventure leads, the world will surely be watching.
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Header Image from Wikimedia Commons
Source: www.jumpstartmag.com
