Jaju Pierogi Shark Tank | Season 16
From grandfather’s recipe to shark tank stage. Will these sisters bag a deal for their beloved pierogi?
Are you a foodie? And do you enjoy eating authentic, homemade pierogi? Two sisters walked into Shark Tank Season 16 Episode 18with their business, Jaju Pierogi. Their product is made using their grandfather’s handwritten recipe. They still use the same ingredients he did.
Since they were kids, they munched on pierogi all the time. Their love for pierogi eventually led them to launch their own brand, Jaju Pierogi.
Their goal is to make Jaju Pierogi a household staple. But would the Sharks be interested in helping them make that happen?
About Jaju Pierogi
| Category | Details |
| Founder | Casey and Vanessa White |
| Product Type | Flash Frozen Pierogi |
| Funding (Pre-Shark Tank) | $400, 000 |
| Investment Asked | $300,000 |
| Equity Offered | 8% |
What Happened on the Shark Tank Episode?
The two sisters pitched their business, Jaju Pierogi, in an entertaining way. Vanessa came dressed up as a pierogi. They explained the product and the business model clearly. Then they shared food samples with the Sharks. They brought many different flavors. The Sharks seemed to really enjoy the food.
They grew up in western Massachusetts, with their freezer always filled with pierogi. The sisters used to enjoy meals at their grandfather’s deli. They say they never relied on mac and cheese for meals, they always had pierogi. They would fry them in some butter and just like that, they were ready! Even when they lived in Boston for college, their mom used to send them pierogi. Not just them, their friends were also fans of the dish.
They named their business Jaju because, in Polish, it means “grandfather.” The first time they sold it, they made 40 boxes and sold out in half an hour. They are now in 2,500 stores.
Kevin shared that potstickers, dumplings, and pierogies are among the fastest-growing foods in America. Sales this year are $2.7 million. Last year, they raised $400,000 at a $2.25 million valuation. Daniel was not satisfied with that valuation.
It costs them $3.89 to make each bag, which contains 12 pierogies. The cost to the distributor is $6.33. Kevin straight-up said those are not great margins.
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What Makes Jaju Pierogi Unique?
Jaju Pierogi are Eastern European dumplings made with potato and dough. It is boiled and fried in butter. Their dough tastes like it was rolled out on the kitchen table. The pierogi are pre-boiled and flash-frozen. They are ready to eat in 10 minutes. This dish is made for both individuals and families.
They offer a delicious line of flavors: potato and cheese, sweet potato–caramelized onion, jalapeño cheddar loaded with baked potato, and kielbasa with red bell pepper. They serve some sauerkraut and sour cream on the side for dipping.
Did Jaju Pierogi Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
After listening to the pitch, the Sharks shared their opinions. Some offered deals, while others stayed out.
- Lori told them that she didn’t feel this business was right for her at the moment.
- Mark Cuban said he liked the product but that was the problem. He joked that he would eat too many of them, so he’d rather be a customer than an investor.
- Robert offered to make a deal with Shark Daniel. However, Daniel did not accept the offer.
- Kevin offered to invest $200,000 in exchange for 20% of the business.
The entrepreneurs turned down Kevin’s offer and walked out without any deals.
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What Happened to Jaju Pierogi After Shark Tank?
Jaju Pierogi got really popular after being on the show “Shark Tank.” Google Trends says their website visits went way up after their episode was shown. Their website is getting so many orders that they’ve put up a message saying they have a lot of demand.
Where Can You Buy It?
They are available in stores like The Fresh Market, Mother’s, Sprouts, New Seasons Market, and many more. You can also order this delicious treat from their official website. Follow Jaju Pierogi on social media to stay updated on the latest news.
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Quick Summary
- Entrepreneur sisters Casey and Vanessa White came to Shark Tank to pitch Jaju Pierogi.
- Jaju Pierogi serves delicious flavors of pierogi, made from a family recipe passed down from their grandfather.
- The founders were unable to secure any deals on Shark Tank.
