Should I Share Profits from Selling Dog Treats with Friend Who Shared Recipe?

A 28-year-old dog lover decided to turn a neighborhood obsession into extra cash, and it worked way faster than she expected. Her homemade dog treats fly off the shelves, and the dogs in her area act like she’s running a tiny, edible doggie paradise.

The catch? The recipe did not come from nowhere. Her friend Sarah shared it with her years ago, and she shared it in confidence, not as a business partner. Now the treats are a hit, Sarah is hinting she should get a cut, and the whole thing has turned into a weird mix of friendship guilt and profit math.

It’s the kind of situation where one text message can make a side hustle feel like a betrayal.

Original Post

So, I'm a huge dog lover, and I decided to start making homemade dog treats as a side hustle. They're really popular in my neighborhood, and dogs seem to love them.

Here's where the dilemma starts. My friend, let's call her Sarah, actually shared the original recipe with me.

She's been making these treats for years for her own dogs. Sarah shared it with me in confidence, not expecting me to turn it into a business.

I saw the opportunity and ran with it. Now, my dog treats are a hit.

I'm getting orders left and right, and people love the quality and the fact that they're homemade with love. The issue is, Sarah reached out and hinted that maybe I should give her a cut of the profits since she's the one who gave me the recipe.

I never promised her anything, and I've been putting in all the hard work to make this small business successful. I feel like I've added my own touch to the recipe and marketed it well.

Sarah's not in a great financial situation, and she could really use the extra income. But at the same time, it was my effort that turned this into a profitable venture.

WIBTA if I don't share any of the profits with Sarah, even though she shared the original recipe with me?

The Fine Line Between Friendship and Business

This situation really highlights the delicate balance between friendship and entrepreneurship. The OP's friend, Sarah, feels entitled to a slice of the profits because she provided the recipe. But the reality is that turning a recipe into a business involves much more than just a good idea; it requires time, effort, and often a financial investment. The OP has taken a personal passion and made it profitable, which raises the question: how much credit does Sarah really deserve?

The tension here lies in the expectations of both parties. While Sarah might see her role as pivotal, the OP could argue that their hard work is what transformed that recipe into a thriving venture. This isn't just about dog treats; it's about recognizing the different contributions that lead to success.

OP is out here getting orders “left and right” for her homemade treats, but Sarah is suddenly remembering that she “shared the original recipe.”

Comment from u/Pizza_Cat_9000

YTA. Sarah trusted you with her recipe, and now you're raking in the cash while she's struggling? Show some loyalty and gratitude. Share the profits, man.

Comment from u/MangoTango79

NTA. You're the one who took the risk and put in the hard work to make this business successful. Sarah might've shared the recipe, but that doesn't entitle her to your profits. Your business, your rules.

Comment from u/DaisyDoodle_123

ESH. You should've discussed profit-sharing with Sarah from the start. She shouldn't assume she's automatically entitled to a cut. Maybe find a compromise that benefits both of you?

Comment from u/Adventure_Ranger22

YTA. Friendship should come before profits. If Sarah's struggling, it's only fair to share a portion of what you're earning with her. Remember, kindness goes a long way.

Sarah’s confidence request, “don’t make this weird,” basically collided with OP’s reality, “this is now a business people are paying for.”

Comment from u/SunnySideUp33

NTA. You're running a business, not a charity. While Sarah helped by sharing the recipe, the success of the business relies on your hard work and dedication. It's your call what to do with the profits.

This also mirrors the conflict in the dilemma over sharing a homemade pet treat recipe with a competitor at the dog park.

Comment from u/TeaAndToastie

YTA. It would be morally right to share the profits, especially if she's struggling financially.

Comment from u/Moonlit_Melodies

NTA. Business is business. If you never promised Sarah a share of the profits, you're not obligated to give it to her. Maybe consider compensating her in a different way, like a one-time payment for the recipe.

And every time OP points to the marketing, the extra work, and the “added my own touch” part, Sarah brings up the recipe origin like it’s ownership.

Comment from u/Garden_Gnome_42

YTA. You're profiting off of Sarah's recipe, and it's only fair to share some of the earnings with her, especially if she's going through a tough time financially. Don't forget where the success started.

Comment from u/JazzHands87

NTA. While Sarah shared the recipe, you're the one who turned it into a thriving business. It's your effort and hard work that made it successful. Maybe offer her a small percentage as a gesture of goodwill, but you're not in the wrong for keeping the profits.

Comment from u/CrimsonCloud_22

YTA. Even though you added your touch and marketed well, the core of your success lies in Sarah's recipe. It's only fair to share a part of the profits with her, especially considering her financial situation.

The moment Sarah mentions she “could really use the extra income,” the question stops being about dog treats and turns into, who owes who what?

How would you handle this situation? Let us know in the comments.

The Community Divided

The Reddit community's reactions have been strikingly diverse, reflecting a broader societal debate about loyalty versus fairness. Some users support Sarah, arguing that sharing the recipe gives her a legitimate claim to profits. Others side with the OP, emphasizing that business success often hinges on execution and not merely the initial idea.

This division is interesting because it forces us to confront our own views on intellectual property and friendship. If Sarah hadn't given the recipe, would the OP have still found success? It's a complex interplay that makes readers question their own values around collaboration and profit-sharing in personal relationships.

What It Comes Down To

This scenario serves as a microcosm of the larger tensions in friendships that cross into business territory.

What It Comes Down To

The conflict between the original poster (OP) and Sarah shines a light on the complicated nature of blending friendship with entrepreneurship. While OP put in significant effort to market and develop the dog treat business, Sarah's feelings of entitlement stem from her initial trust in sharing the recipe during a time when she was not expecting it to become a commercial venture. This situation illustrates the broader tension of how contributions are valued—OP sees their hard work as the differentiator, while Sarah's financial struggles add an emotional layer to her request for profit-sharing. Ultimately, it raises important questions about loyalty, reciprocity, and the ethics of benefiting from a friend's intellectual contribution.

Nobody wants to lose a friend over a recipe, but nobody wants to work for free either.

Before you decide, read the Reddit debate on hiding Sarah’s homemade dog treat recipe for profit.