Jaju Pierogi Update | Shark Tank Season 16
When Casey and Vanessa White left for college, their mom kept delivering their grandfather’s homemade pierogi to their dorms. Their friends couldn’t stop asking where they came from. That’s when they realized how hard it was to find authentic, ready-to-eat pierogi that tasted homemade. So they started Jaju Pierogi, using family recipes to make frozen pierogi that cook fast and taste like home. Will the sharks take a bite? Let’s find out in our Jaju Pierogi update and pitch recap
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick overview of what happened to Jaju Pierogi after
Casey and Vanessa pitched their authentic frozen pierogi on
In terms of a Jaju Pierogi update, the company received a big boost in sales after airing and introduced a special
| Shark | Result |
| Kevin O’Leary | $300,000 for 20% equity |
| Daniel Lubetzky | No offer |
| Lori Greiner | No offer |
| Robert Herjavec | No offer |
| Mark Cuban | No offer |
Shark Tank Jaju Pierogi Pitch
- Entrepreneurs: Casey and Vanessa White
- Business: Authentic Frozen Food
- Ask: $300,000 for 8% equity
- Result: No deal
- Sharks: None
Casey and Vanessa came to
They explained that they grew up eating pierogi from their grandfather’s deli. Their friends loved the pierogi, so they turned the recipe into a business.
Their pierogi are pre-boiled, flash-frozen, and ready in 10 minutes.
The company sells five main flavors, including potato and cheese, jalapeño cheddar, and kielbasa with red bell pepper.
The sisters placed samples in front of the sharks, served with sour cream and sauerkraut. The sharks all loved it.
Customers can find them in the frozen food section of 2,500 stores, including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Harris Teeter, Mom’s Organic, and Fresh Market.
Kevin O’Leary said he’s done research in this category. He pointed out that dumplings and pierogi are among the fastest-growing convenience foods in the U.S.
He also mentioned his investment in Brooklyn Dumplings and the rising demand in the frozen aisle.
During the pitch, Robert Herjavec and Mark Cuban shared their love for pierogi. Robert asked about the name “Jaju”.
In response, Vanessa explained it was a phonetic version of “grandfather” in Polish.
Casey shared that they’re projecting $2.7 million in sales in the current year. Mark asked if they were profitable. Casey said no.
They lost $100,000 the previous year after failing to negotiate a major contract. She admitted they were emotional about getting into a big grocery chain and rushed the deal.
She also said they raised $400,000 at a $2.25 million valuation to stay afloat.
Robert asked how much of the company they had already given up. Casey said 18%. He then asked what their current valuation was. Guest shark Daniel Lubetzky answered $3.75 million.
Casey said the valuation is based on their recent national rollout with Whole Foods. In the first three weeks, stores were selling 12 to 15 bags per week, without any promotions or in-store demos.
Daniel asked about pricing. Casey said it costs $3.89 to produce each bag, which contains 12 pierogi.
They sell it to distributors at $6.33. Kevin said the margins were too tight. Mark agreed and said the business had little room to adjust pricing.
Mark asked about the suggested retail price. Casey said it sells for $9.99 to $10.99.
Mark said that confirmed the margin issue and dropped out.
Lori Greiner said she liked the product but didn’t see it as the right investment for her. She stepped out.
Robert was willing to invest only if Daniel joined him. When that didn’t happen, he also passed.
Daniel considered investing but ultimately backed out, citing a potential conflict with another sister-owned frozen food brand he supports called Toast It.
Kevin offered $300,000 for 20% equity, but only if they used his infrastructure. Casey and Vanessa declined.
They felt 20% was too much to give up. So, they countered with 10% equity. Still, Kevin stood his ground
The pitch ended without a deal. However, the sisters remained confident in their product and vision for growth.
Now, let’s take a closer look at how Casey and Vanessa fared after their episode aired, in our Jaju Pierogi update.
Shark Tank Jaju Pierogi Update
Our Jaju Pierogi update found that the company received a major boost in orders after airing on
Further, shortly after airing, the company released a special “Shark Tank” bundle featuring top and vegetarian flavors.
In March 2025, Jaju Pierogi launched a scholarship fund in partnership with the Polish American Heritage and Community Foundation of Boston.
The initiative supports Polish-American women pursuing higher education in New England.
They’ve also collaborated with Mei Mei Dumplings for Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger.
For more information or to explore their products, visit the Jaju Pierogi website.
Once the dust settles, we will be back for another Jaju Pierogi update.
For more updates from
Before you go, be sure to check out our list of all the Shark Tank Season 16 products.
Marvin Uzor
Marvin Uzor is a content contributor for Shark Tank Recap. He specializes in crafting engaging, well-researched content that delve into the latest Shark Tank stories, keeping readers hooked. He has a soft spot for his favorite Shark Tank companies, Bombas and Doorbot, known for their innovation and impact.