Richard Rawlings is one of America’s most recognizable automotive personalities, known for Fast N’ Loud, Gas Monkey Garage, and his larger-than-life lifestyle. Over the past decade, he has built a massive business empire spanning restaurants, merchandise, TV deals, and high-value car flips.
Below is a full breakdown of Richard Rawlings’ net worth in 2026, how he built his wealth, what he’s doing today, and how his Gas Monkey empire continues to evolve.
Richard Rawlings Bio Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Richard Rawlings |
| Date of Birth | March 30, 1969 |
| Age (2026) | 55 years |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, Car Builder, Reality TV Host |
| Known For | Fast N’ Loud, Gas Monkey Garage, Gas Monkey Bar & Grill |
| Primary Businesses | Garage, restaurants, merch, events, YouTube |
| Estimated Net Worth (2026) | $25M – $30M |
Richard Rawlings Net Worth in 2026
As of 2026, Richard Rawlings’ estimated net worth is between $25 million and $30 million.
His net worth has grown steadily due to:
- Long-term success of Fast N’ Loud and Discovery Channel royalties
- Gas Monkey Garage brand expansion worldwide
- Restaurants, concerts & live events
- Massive classic car flips and auctions
- YouTube and digital content revenue
- Licensing deals with automotive brands
- New restaurant openings (Gas Monkey Icehouse 2025, Gas Monkey Sturgis 2024)
- YouTube earnings now EXCEEDING TV income (1.53M subscribers)
- Trans Am Takeover annual events
- Gas Monkey Energy drink licensing
- Isle of Man TT racing sponsorships
- NASCAR and NHRA partnerships
Rawlings remains one of the highest-paid automotive personalities of the last decade.
How Richard Rawlings Makes His Money
Richard’s wealth doesn’t rely on one business, he built an entire ecosystem around the “Gas Monkey” brand.
1. Gas Monkey Garage
Founded in 2004, Gas Monkey Garage became globally famous through Fast N’ Loud.
Revenue comes from:
- Car restoration and builds
- Custom projects
- High-profit car flips
- Global merch and apparel
Today, GMG operates as a media-forward automotive brand, releasing premium content on YouTube and hosting events.
2. Fast N’ Loud (TV Earnings)
Rawlings starred in Fast N’ Loud for 16 seasons.
Estimated earnings:
- $50,000 – $75,000 per episode
- Additional royalties, bonuses, and brand deals
The series brought Gas Monkey Garage worldwide fame, boosting Rawlings’ income for years.
3. Gas Monkey Restaurants & Bars
Richard expanded into hospitality:
- Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill
- Gas Monkey Live
- Gas Monkey Dallas
Gas Monkey Live: Closed permanently May 2020, rebranded to Amplified Live after legal settlement
Active Locations (2025-2026):
- Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill (Dallas – flagship)
- Gas Monkey Sturgis (South Dakota – opened 2024)
- Bar & grill + retail store
- Major Sturgis Motorcycle Rally destination
- Hosted first annual Trans Am Takeover (July 2025)
- Gas Monkey Icehouse (The Colony, TX at Grandscape – opened May 6, 2025)
- Partnership with Reach Hospitality (Evelyn steakhouse group)
- Replaced LSA Burger location
- Films YouTube content from restaurant
- Pop-up car shows and events
2018-2021 Legal Settlement: Civil lawsuit with Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill partners worth ~$6M settled August 2021, all claims dismissed. No criminal charges, case fully resolved.
4. Car Collection & High-Value Auctions
Richard is known for buying and selling rare cars.
Estimated value of his personal and rotating collection:
- $5M+ in classic cars
- Frequent six-figure flips at auctions
- Purchases like vintage Mustangs, Ferraris, and limited-edition hot rods
He also famously bought the massive Kannenberg Collection.
5. YouTube & Digital Media
Richard left Discovery Channel after Fast N’ Loud ended to pursue YouTube full-time with complete creative control.
Current YouTube Success (2025-2026):
- 1.53 million subscribers (as of 2025)
- Weekly episodes featuring builds, podcasts, car adventures
- Makes MORE money on YouTube than TV (no network taking percentage)
- Ad revenue, sponsorships, product placement
- Films segments from Gas Monkey Icehouse restaurant
- Digital content is now PRIMARY income stream (not secondary)
Why YouTube Works Better:
- Total creative freedom (no network censorship)
- Direct connection with fans
- Faster turnaround (publish immediately vs. year-long TV delays)
- Higher profit margins (keep all revenue minus production costs)
6. Merchandise & Licensing
Gas Monkey clothing, accessories, die-cast collectibles, and branded tools contribute millions in revenue annually.
7. Additional Revenue Streams
Gas Monkey Energy Drinks (2019-Present): Licensed brand to energy drink company, ongoing royalties
Racing Sponsorships:
- Isle of Man TT (2022-Present): Title sponsor for Peter Hickman and FHO Racing
- NASCAR partnerships (ongoing)
- NHRA drag racing teams (ongoing)
Brand Collaborations:
- Dodge (official partnerships)
- Garage Beer (branded beer line)
- Dickies (workwear line)
- Gorilla Pro (tools and equipment)
- Classic Industries (distributor partnership)
Live Events:
- Trans Am Takeover (July 2025 – first annual at Gas Monkey Sturgis)
- Free multi-day car show
- Hundreds of Trans Ams registered
- Partnership with East Bound and Down (Smokey & Bandit tribute)
2026 Corvette ZR1 Giveaway (November 2025):
- Brand new 2026 Corvette ZR1 Coupe 3LZ
- 1,064 horsepower, 5.5L V8 twin-turbo
- 233 mph top speed (fastest Corvette ever)
- Value: $200K+ over sticker
- Winner gets custom vinyl wrap in color of choice
- Holiday promotional campaign
Early Life & Career Before Gas Monkey
Before becoming a TV star, Rawlings worked as:
- Police officer
- Firefighter
- Paramedic
- Printing & advertising business owner
His early experience in entrepreneurship helped him build Gas Monkey Garage from scratch.
Is Gas Monkey Garage Still in Business? (2026 Update)
Yes, Gas Monkey Garage is still active, but it has shifted from primarily car builds to:
- Exclusive restorations
- High-value flips
- Digital content creation
- Live shows & brand partnerships
Gas Monkey Garage operates as:
- Media production studio (primary YouTube content)
- High-value custom builds (six-figure projects only)
- Brand headquarters (merchandise, licensing, events)
- Digital content empire (1.53M YouTube subscribers)
NOT a traditional walk-in repair shop. Focus shifted entirely to:
- Premium restoration projects
- YouTube content creation
- Live event hosting
- Brand partnerships
How Much Did Richard Rawlings Sell His Car Collection For?
Rawlings has auctioned parts of his collection multiple times.
Some notable numbers:
- Individual cars selling for $100K – $500K+
- Certain auction weekends generating millions
- Major purchases like the Kannenberg Collection costing over $1 million
His collection is dynamic; he buys and sells frequently.
September 2022 Major Auction:
Richard auctioned 30 cars from his collection:
- Total revenue: $1,080,903
- Top sellers:
- 1962 Corvette: $60,000
- 1965 Mustang K-Code: $75,000
- 1978 Porsche 928: $46,000
Reason: Sold to purchase newer, more exotic European cars. Richard stated he wanted to upgrade his collection to higher-end vehicles.
Richard Rawlings’ Wife & Personal Life
Richard has been married multiple times:
Current Partner (2025)
Richard is married to Katerina Deason (formerly married to billionaire Darwin Deason).
She is influential in business and lifestyle branding and is estimated to have a strong independent net worth.
Previous Wife
Suzanne Rawlings (married twice)
Richard Rawlings Lifestyle & Assets
Richard is known for enjoying the success he built.
Luxury Cars
His rotating collection includes:
- Ford GT
- Ferrari 458 Italia
- Ferrari F40 (featured on the show)
- Dodge Challenger Hellcat
- Custom hot rods
Real Estate
Richard owns:
- A luxury Dallas home
- Investment properties
- A large workshop/production facility
Business Travel
He frequently travels for:
- Car shows
- SEMA events
- Media appearances
- International builds
Richard Rawlings Net Worth Growth Timeline
| Year | Estimated Net Worth | Major Event |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | $3 million | |
| 2014 | $8 million | |
| 2018 | $15 million | |
| 2020 | $18 million | Left Discovery, pivoted to YouTube |
| 2021 | $20 million | Legal settlement resolved |
| 2022 | $20 million | Auctioned 30 cars ($1.08M) |
| 2024 | $25 million | Gas Monkey Sturgis opened |
| 2025 | $28 million | Gas Monkey Icehouse opened |
| 2026 | $30 million | YouTube surpasses TV income |
Rawlings’ empire continues to grow even without Fast N’ Loud on air.
What Is Richard Rawlings Doing Now in 2026?
Active Projects:
YouTube Content Creator (Primary Focus):
- Weekly episodes on 1.53M-subscriber channel
- Makes MORE than TV income with full creative control
- Films from Gas Monkey Icehouse restaurant
Restaurant Expansion:
- Opened Gas Monkey Icehouse (May 2025, The Colony, TX)
- Operating Gas Monkey Sturgis (opened 2024, South Dakota)
- Pop-up car shows and events at venues
Live Events:
- Hosted first Trans Am Takeover (July 2025)
- Planning annual automotive events
- SEMA appearances and car show circuits
New Giveaways:
- 2026 Corvette ZR1 holiday campaign (1,064 hp, $200K+ value)
- Regular merchandise and car giveaways
Brand Partnerships:
- Racing sponsorships (Isle of Man TT, NASCAR, NHRA)
- Product collaborations (Dodge, Dickies, Gorilla Pro)
- Gas Monkey Energy drinks licensing
High-Value Car Flips:
- Continues buying/selling exotic cars
- Focus shifted to European exotics
- Six-figure auction deals
Richard remains one of the most influential figures in automotive culture, but has successfully transitioned from TV star to digital media mogul with multiple revenue streams.
FAQs About Richard Rawlings
He runs Gas Monkey Garage, creates digital automotive content, hosts events, and manages brand partnerships.
Yes, but now emphasizes media production, high-value builds, and brand collaborations.
Approximately $25M–$30M.
Individual cars have sold for $100K–$500K+, with some auctions bringing in millions.
He is married to Katerina Deason, who also has her own substantial wealth.
A rotating collection of hot rods, vintage Mustangs, Ferraris, and rare classics.
No. He was involved in a civil lawsuit (not criminal) with Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill partners worth ~$6 million. The case was fully settled in August 2021 with all claims dismissed. No jail time, no criminal charges.
While exact figures aren’t public, Richard has stated he makes MORE money on YouTube (1.53M subscribers) than he did on Discovery Channel, with full creative control and no network taking a cut.
Gas Monkey Live (the concert venue) closed permanently in May 2020. The location was rebranded to Amplified Live after the 2021 legal settlement.
Gas Monkey Sturgis (2024, South Dakota) and Gas Monkey Icehouse (May 2025, The Colony, TX at Grandscape). Both serve food, host car events, and feature retail stores.
