Richard Rawlings is a well-known American entrepreneur, media personality, and car builder. He is most famous for his appearances on the reality television show Fast N’ Loud, which airs on Discovery Channel. Rawlings is also the proprietor of Gas Monkey Garage, a customizer and automotive repair business, as well as Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill and Gas Monkey Live music venues in Dallas, Texas.
Rawlings has amassed a considerable fortune over the years, with his net worth estimated at $18 million as of 2023. He made his millions from various business ventures, including Gas Monkey Garage and the Fast N’ Loud show. Rawlings’ trademark slogan, “Get ya’ some of this,” has become synonymous with his brand and has helped him build an automotive kingdom that includes restaurants, a tequila line, and a merchandise line.
Despite facing some legal troubles in the past, Rawlings has managed to maintain his success and remains a prominent figure in the automotive industry. His net worth continues to grow, and his Gas Monkey Garage business continues to thrive, making him one of the most successful car builders in the world.
Early Life and Career
Childhood
Richard Rawlings was born on March 30, 1969, in Fort Worth, Texas. He grew up in the Dallas area and attended Eastern Hills High School. As a child, Rawlings was interested in cars and would often watch his father work on them. This early exposure to the automotive industry would influence his career path later in life.
Law Enforcement and Firefighting Career
After high school, Rawlings became a law enforcement officer and worked for the Dallas Police Department for a short time. He then became a firefighter in the same city. However, Rawlings eventually left the public service sector to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams.
Printing and Advertising Company
In 1999, Rawlings started a printing and advertising company called Lincoln Press. The company quickly became successful and was eventually sold to a private equity firm. Rawlings used the proceeds from the sale to start his own automotive shop, Gas Monkey Garage, in Dallas, Texas.
Gas Monkey Garage became famous for its restoration of classic cars and hot rods. The success of the shop led to the creation of the television show “Fast N’ Loud,” which premiered on the Discovery Channel in 2012. The show followed Rawlings and his team as they restored classic cars and participated in various automotive challenges.
Rawlings’ success with Gas Monkey Garage and “Fast N’ Loud” has made him a household name in the automotive industry. As of May 2023, he has an estimated net worth of $20 million.
Gas Monkey Garage and Fast N’ Loud
Gas Monkey Brand
Richard Rawlings is the proprietor of the Gas Monkey Garage, a well-known brand in the automotive industry. The brand has expanded to include the Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill and Gas Monkey Live music venues in Dallas, Texas. The Gas Monkey Garage specializes in restoring classic cars and has gained a massive following thanks to the Discovery Channel show, Fast N’ Loud.
Fast N’ Loud
Fast N’ Loud is a reality television show that follows the Gas Monkey Garage team as they restore classic cars and turn them into high-performance machines. The show premiered on the Discovery Channel in 2012 and has since become one of the network’s most popular shows. Richard Rawlings is the star of the show, and the show’s success has helped to increase his net worth significantly.
The show’s format is simple, with each episode featuring the team buying a classic car in poor condition, restoring it, and then selling it for a profit. The show has been praised for its entertaining and educational content, and it has helped to inspire a new generation of car enthusiasts.
Garage Rehab
Garage Rehab is another reality television show that features Richard Rawlings. The show premiered on the Discovery Channel in 2017 and follows Rawlings as he helps struggling automotive shops turn their businesses around. The show’s format is similar to Fast N’ Loud, with each episode featuring Rawlings and his team working to improve the shop’s facilities, equipment, and processes.
Garage Rehab has been praised for its educational content and its ability to help struggling businesses. The show has also helped to increase Rawlings’ net worth and has solidified his position as one of the most influential figures in the automotive industry.
Overall, Richard Rawlings’ Gas Monkey Garage brand and the Fast N’ Loud and Garage Rehab shows have helped to cement his position as a successful entrepreneur and media personality. His dedication to the automotive industry and his willingness to help struggling businesses have made him a beloved figure among car enthusiasts.
Personal Life
Richard Rawlings is an American entrepreneur, car builder, cross-country racer, and reality television personality. He has been married and divorced twice and has two children. Here is a breakdown of his personal life:
Marriage and Divorce
Richard Rawlings was first married to Karen K. Grames in 1993. The couple divorced in 1994. Rawlings then married Suzanne Marie Mergele in 1999. They were together for 18 years before divorcing in 2017. The reason for their divorce is not publicly known.
Children
Rawlings has two children, a son named Sinjin and a daughter named Sophie. Both children were born during his marriage to Suzanne Marie Mergele.
In his personal life, Rawlings has faced challenges, including two divorces. However, he continues to focus on his successful career as an entrepreneur, car builder, and reality television personality.
Net Worth and Business Ventures
Richard Rawlings is a successful entrepreneur and television personality with an estimated net worth of $20 million as of April 2023. He has built his wealth through various business ventures, including restaurants, automotive shops, printing, and advertising.
Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill
Rawlings is the founder of Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill, a popular restaurant in Dallas, Texas. The restaurant features a menu of classic American comfort food and a full bar with signature cocktails. It has become a hot spot for locals and tourists alike and has contributed significantly to Rawlings’ net worth.
Other Restaurants
In addition to Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill, Rawlings has also opened other restaurants in the Fort Worth, Texas area. These include the Gas Monkey Garage and Grill, which features a menu of burgers, sandwiches, and salads, and the Gas Monkey Live, a music venue and event space that also serves food and drinks.
Automotive Shops
Rawlings’ passion for cars has led him to open several automotive shops, including Gas Monkey Garage, which specializes in custom builds and restorations. The shop has been featured on Rawlings’ television show, Fast ‘N Loud, and has helped him build a loyal fan base.
Printing and Advertising
Rawlings has also ventured into the world of printing and advertising with his company, Gas Monkey Tequila. The company produces custom labels for its tequila bottles and has also created branded merchandise, including t-shirts, hats, and accessories.
Overall, Richard Rawlings’ net worth is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and ability to build successful businesses in a variety of industries.
Automobiles and Racing
Richard Rawlings is a well-known figure in the automobile industry, thanks to his love for cars and racing. He has been a part of various auto shows, rallies, and races, including the Gumball 3000, The Bullrun, and Isle of Man.
Gas Monkey Live Music Venue
In addition to his passion for automobiles, Richard Rawlings is also a music enthusiast. He has combined his love for cars and music by opening the Gas Monkey Live Music Venue in Dallas, Texas. The venue hosts live music shows, events, and concerts, making it a popular destination for music lovers and car enthusiasts alike.
Auto Shows
Richard Rawlings has participated in several auto shows across the United States, showcasing his collection of classic and exotic cars. He has also been a judge at various auto shows, including the prestigious SEMA show, where he has shared his expertise in the automobile industry.
Gumball 3000 and The Bullrun
Richard Rawlings has participated in the Gumball 3000 and The Bullrun, two of the most popular and challenging road rallies in the world. These rallies cover thousands of miles across different countries and terrains, and require participants to navigate through various challenges and obstacles.
Isle of Man
Richard Rawlings has also participated in the Isle of Man TT, one of the most dangerous and thrilling motorcycle races in the world. The race takes place on the Isle of Man, a small island in the Irish Sea, and is known for its challenging course and high speeds.
FHO Racing
Richard Rawlings recently became a co-owner of FHO Racing, a British Superbike team. The team competes in the British Superbike Championship, one of the most prestigious motorcycle racing championships in the world. Rawlings’ involvement in the team has brought a new level of excitement and energy to the sport, and has helped to promote the team and the sport to a wider audience.
Personal Details
Age and Height
Richard Rawlings was born on March 30th, 1969, which makes him 54 years old as of May 2023. He stands at a height of 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 meters).
Weight and Body Measurements
Richard Rawlings’ weight is not publicly known. However, he has a muscular build and has maintained his physique over the years. He has brown hair and blue eyes.
Nationality and Family
Richard Rawlings is an American citizen. He was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. He comes from a family of car enthusiasts, and his father was a car mechanic. Richard Rawlings is married to Suzanne Rawlings, and they have been together since 1999. The couple does not have any children.
Siblings and Parents
Richard Rawlings has a younger sister named Daphne Rawlings. His parents’ names are not publicly known. However, his father’s occupation as a car mechanic influenced Richard’s interest in cars from a young age.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Richard Rawlings is a successful American entrepreneur, car builder, and media personality. He has built his fortune through his love of cars, starting with his father’s influence as a car builder and his own passion for racing. Rawlings’ estimated net worth ranges from $15 million to $20 million, which he has earned through the Gas Monkey Garage and his reality television show, Fast N’ Loud.
Rawlings’ success has not come without controversy, however. In 2019, he was sued for defamation by a former Gas Monkey Garage employee, who claimed that Rawlings had made false and damaging statements about him on social media. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed, but it highlights the potential risks of being in the public eye and the importance of being careful with one’s words and actions.
Despite the challenges, Rawlings continues to be a popular figure in the automotive world and beyond. He has expanded his business empire to include the Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill and Gas Monkey Live music venues in Dallas, Texas, and has even been featured in national television commercials. Rawlings’ success serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and car enthusiasts alike, showing that with hard work, dedication, and a little bit of luck, anything is possible.
Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Dodge
