Many cheese lovers know the struggle: a brand-new block of cheese is fresh and flavorful, but slicing it neatly is hard. Pre-shredded cheese loses moisture and taste fast. Then comes the cleanup—greater residue clings to hands, the kitchen counter, and even worse, the grater itself. Storing leftover cheese is another headache. Plastic wrap, zip bags, loosely sealed containers—it all feels wasteful and messy.
Tate Koenig called these common frustrations into question. Why can’t there be a simple tool that slices, shreds, and stores cheese in one clean, fun package? He believed he could fix this. He created a clever container with interchangeable tools—a slicer, grater, and adjustable blade wheel—that keeps cheese fresh in its own box. Called The Cheese Chopper, it aims to make cheese prep fast, neat, and satisfying for everyone.
He asked the Sharks for $75,000 in exchange for 10 percent of his company. He believed that with the right partner, he could scale the product, streamline manufacturing, and deliver his Cheese Choppers to more fans.
The cheese Chopper Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Tate was looking for an investment of $75k in exchange for 10% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, he valued his company at $750k. Tate did not secure a deal with any of the Sharks. Since no investment was made, the company’s net worth remained at around $750k. After the show was aired, the company experienced a good boost in exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of The Cheese Chopper is around $1.5 million.
Shark(s) name
Offer & Demand
Counteroffer
Accepted?
Kendra Scott
Out
N/A
N/A
Lori Greiner
Out
N/A
N/A
Kevin O’Leary
Out
N/A
N/A
Barbara Corcoran
Out
N/A
N/A
Mark Cuban
Out
N/A
N/A
Tate Koenig Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
Tate Koenig grew up loving cheese. He always bought full blocks instead of bags of shredded cheese. Though buying blocks was cheaper and packed with flavor, slicing and grating them was a daily struggle. He worked in his garage to create a solution. He designed a sealed box that could hold a cheese block inside.
The box came with three tools: a wire slicer, a blade slicer, and a grater. The adjustable wheel inside the box allowed users to choose the thickness of each slice. Once you cut or grate the cheese, the lid seals tightly, keeping the cheese fresh.
He launched a Kickstarter campaign in mid‑2020 and raised over $100,000. This success caught Shark Tank’s attention, and producers invited him to pitch in April 2021. On the show, he brought the prototype and explained how it solved three major problems: slicing, shredding, and storing. He asked for $75,000 in exchange for 10 percent of his company. He offered a polished presentation with cheese puns, showcasing his passionate but humble personality.
Queries + Shark’s Responses, and Final Deal
Each shark tested the Cheese Chopper hands-on. They wanted to gauge build quality and usability.
Mark Cuban was first to ask: “Where are your sales?” Tate explained that production was delayed due to COVID and that no finished units had shipped. Mark said it was too early and walked away.
Kevin O’Leary tested the slicer and noted the price. He asked why he should pay nearly $40 for one. Tate replied that the device cost $8.30 to make and could pay for itself through the value and convenience it delivered. Kevin liked the storage seal, but he still felt that without customer reviews, it was risky. He declined.
Kendra Scott, the guest shark, experienced the same issues. She appreciated the idea but agreed that the product needed real-world feedback. She decided not to invest.
Lori Greiner followed. She said she saw potential but didn’t want to jump in so early. She saw no deal.
Barbara Corcoran noted that many people keep more than one type of cheese, which meant they would need multiple units. She said it wasn’t for her and stepped away.
No shark made an offer. Tate left Shark Tank without closing a deal on the show.
What Went Wrong With *Company On Shark Tank?
Not closing a deal didn’t mean the idea was bad. The sharks gave some consistent feedback. First, production was still underway during the pitch, so there was no real sales data or customer reviews. That made the investment feel high-risk to them.
Second, the prototype had a few design issues. Barbara noted that someone might need multiple units for different cheeses, which would add cost. Mashed reported that the dial on the prototype felt awkward to use and could be improved.
Third, the upfront cost of about $39.99 seemed steep to some sharks without proven benefits. Kevin felt the device should ship first, and then revisit the pricing. In short, it was a promising concept, but the timing felt too early for investment. The sharks all recognized good potential, but without sales, they saw a gamble.
Product Availability
Despite no Shark deal, Tate didn’t back down. Shipping began in mid-February 2021, just weeks before the episode aired. The Cheese Chopper retails for about $39.99 both on its website and through Amazon. The package includes all three attachments — wire slicer, blade slicer, and grater — plus the storage container. A sealing lid protects freshness. Users simply choose their slicing tool, adjust thickness, slice or grate, then close the lid right on the block.
The box is plastic but designed to be easy to clean. After Shark Tank, Tate improved some parts based on reviews, especially the dial. He also added new products. On the Cheese Chopper website, you can find funny cheese-themed T‑shirts, collapsible containers, and other storage gadgets.
What Happened To The *Company After Shark Tank?
Tate launched successfully despite no Shark cash. By one week after the episode aired, he had shipped 2,000 of 3,500 pre-orders. As of October 2023, The Cheese Chopper was still selling from its website and on Amazon. Its exact revenue is unclear, but public mentions say the business is “doing okay”.
Customer reviews are mixed. On Amazon, it holds a 3.8/5 rating. Some buyers praised its multi-functionality and clever design. Others pointed to the dial being awkward or parts feeling flimsy. Still, the fact that it continues to sell years later shows strong appeal.
Tate didn’t stop at cheese. In Season 14, he returned to Shark Tank with Pizza Pack, a pizza storage container, and landed a deal with Lori Greiner. He still calls The Cheese Chopper part of his kitchen gadget family portfolio.
Conclusion
Tate Koenig stepped into Shark Tank with a smart, multitasking cheese tool that tackled slicing, grating, and storage. His product solved real kitchen annoyances, and his Kickstarter proved there was interest in his invention.
While the sharks liked the concept, they passed because he had no product shipped and needed more field feedback. No deal was struck that day. But Tate pivoted quickly. He started shipping soon after filming, responded to feedback, and kept pushing forward. The Cheese Chopper is still available today at around $39.99, holding a strong presence on its website and Amazon.
Years after Shark Tank, Tate turned his lessons into momentum. He returned with Pizza Pack and secured a deal. The Cheese Chopper remains one of his flagship kitchen gadgets. His story shows that even without a Shark deal, determination, customer feedback, and product improvements can drive real success.
Hey, I’m Amna Habib, an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. Shark Tank has always been one of my favorite TV shows because it offers a unique glimpse into the world of entrepreneurship. The way entrepreneurs present innovative solutions to everyday problems aligns with my academic interests and fuels my curiosity about business strategies. Each pitch showcases creativity and strategic decision-making, which I find both insightful and inspiring. Watching the show has deepened my passion for business and motivated me to explore the world of entrepreneurship even further. Beyond business and writing, I love food, shopping, and spending time with my friends and family.
