Snacking has evolved far beyond the classic potato chip. Consumers are now looking for unique flavours, healthy food, and convenient food that has a long shelf life. Here are the founders of Tantos Joe Sasto Chef who has the passion to introduce bold Italian flavors and with his business partner Sean Knecht.
Both inspired by the texture of traditional pasta and the flavour of Italian cuisine, they innovated a new thing which is puffed pasta chips that are crunchy, satisfying and taste like real pasta.
This product connects creativity, convenience, shelf life and taste. It is attracted by the foodies who are snack lovers and anyone who wants ordinary chips that taste like something unique. So here they introduce Tantos. On Shark Tank founders of Tantos, Joe and Sean, showcased the brand to a national audience, giving them an opportunity to pitch their vision to top investors.
Tantos Chips Net Worth Shark Tank Update
Joe Sasto and Sean Knecht went on Shark Tank asking for $200,000 for 10% of their company. This meant they thought their business was worth $2 million. They did not get a deal because the Sharks were concerned about the snack market being too crowded and hard to scale. After the show aired, Tantos saw a big increase in website traffic, sales, and social media exposure. Since the company is still active and growing slowly with new customers and online orders, a simple 10% yearly growth estimate suggests that the current net worth of Tantos is between $500,000 and $1 million in 2025.
Did Tantos Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
No, the Tantos founders did not secure investment offers from any of the Sharks. Sharks really love their product flavour, creativity, and quality but they did not invest in their product.
| Shark Name | Offer & Demand | Accepted? |
| Daniel Lubetzky | Out | No |
| Mark Cuban | Out | No |
| Lori Greiner | Out | No |
| Kevin O’Leary | Out | No |
| Barbara Corcoran | Out | No |
While they did not get the offer from the Sharks but their feedback really matters for them to improve their product and do better for their product.
Tantos Chips Shark Tank Pitch
Founders’ Backstory
Joe Sasto, well well-known chef and explored the world and knows how to combine flavors and textures in snacks. Through his culinary experiences, he wants to make something new that smells like pasta, light, crispy, and flavourful, and easily available in a convenient form.
Sean Knecht, Joe’s business partner, uses his expertise in operations and business strategy. And when they come together, they form a brand whose name is Tantos, which stands out from the crowded snack market. They offer a bold Italian-inspired flavour in a portable way that anyone can get at an affordable price.
The journey started from creativity and experimentation and then formed a brand at the market level. To elevate everyday snacking with flavor, texture, and quality. Before they came on Shark Tank, they already tested their products from small batches and local markets and got feedback.
Initial Pitch
Joe and Sean entered the Tank confidently, carrying sample bags of Tantos’ puffed pasta chips. They explain the uniqueness of their product in this way
They explain that their product is made from real pasta dough and it is lightweight with ca runchy texture, it’s a combination of bold Italian-inspired flavours. And it is a better alternative to traditional fried snacks.
The founders pitched a clear business model:
Retail sales in gourmet and specialty stores. Potential for subscription boxes and snack bundles.
Joe mentioned a memorable point during the pitch:
“We’re not just selling chips; we’re selling a snack experience inspired by Italy, crispy, flavorful, and impossible to stop eating.”
Despite their strong presentation, Shark still has some doubts about scalability, production costs, and distribution.
Shark Questions & Discussion
Kevin O’Leary asked about margins and pricing:
“How much does it cost to make, and what’s the price point?”
Sean explained that production costs were reasonable for a gourmet snack, with a suggested retail price of $4–$6 per bag, but Shark is not convinced by his answer
Lori Greiner asked about shelf presence and marketing:
“How will you stand out in grocery stores filled with snacks?”
Joe and Sean said that their focus is now on flavours, branding, is unique and eye-catching packaging but Lori is still concerned about its competition with other well-known snack brands.
Mark Cuban questioned scalability:
“Can you scale production efficiently if demand spikes?”
Sean responded that they already had plans to partner with co-packers but Sharks are really concerned about operational risk and production of mass.
Sharks’ Reactions and Negotiations
Despite all Sharks really like the idea of the founder’s creativity in the flavour and snacks concept but did not offer the investment
Daniel Lubetzky really likes the flavour but wants proof that this product can benefit him.
Barbara Corcoran really liked the product’s flavour and said that the product is well-branded but passed on the idea, saying that there is a lot of competition in the crowded market.
Mark Cuban expressed concerns about margins and brand reach.
Kevin O’Leary wanted stronger financial metrics before investing.
Lori Greiner admired the packaging and said that this idea is not about her niche.
Although they did not get an offer with their feedback, they gave founders actionable insights to refine their business strategy, production rate, and marketing.
Product Availability & Features
Tantos puffed pasta chips are designed to be a delicious, convenient snack:
Because it is made from real pasta dough and it has a lightweight, crispy texture, bold Italian-inspired flavours and packaging is reusable bags for freshness. Suitable for on-the-go snacking, parties, and casual gatherings.
The product is available online at eattantos.com and select gourmet stores. After the Shark Tank episode aired, they got huge sales online and social media campaigns and food influencers also reviewed their product.
What Happened To Tantos After Shark Tank?
Even though they did not get the deal, they still got national recognition. Tantos gained website traffic, media coverage, and social media engagement. Increase the amount of preorders and brands receive retailers’ interest in this stocking snack.
In 2025, the company is still active and focused on expanding its flavour varieties, its online pricing, and exploring partnerships with store speciality and working on service snack subscription.
Conclusion
No matter that they did not get the deal but they got the feedback from the Sharks that they can refine their product and touch the heights without investment. Because hard work pays off if you genuinely work for something very hard, then God will definitely give you a reward for this hard work.
Through their appearance on Shark Tank they got to know the national recognition that people know that this brand exists and through this, they also got so many orders. And work on also wanting to expand their brand nationally.
As of 2025, it is still active and Tantos wants to innovate new flavours of their product. This shows that if you fail in something, that does not mean you don’t deserve success; you can work on it and you will get success no matter what. Like Tantos is doing and still does.
Hi, I’m Sandiya Kanwal! I’m in my final semester of my bachelor’s degree and I have a strong passion for sharing the inspiring stories of entrepreneurs. Writing for SharkTankInsights.com helps me explore how creative people turn simple ideas into successful businesses. I enjoy learning from their challenges, strategies, and achievements, and I love inspiring readers who dream of building something great.
