Cheese is a widely popular snack as it is rich in protein and calcium. However, it also contains high amounts of saturated fats and sodium which are bad for your health. Just The Cheese was founded to solve this problem.
Just The Cheese makes gluten-free and low-carb cheese made of Wisconsin cheese. It tastes like the crispy end of a grilled cheese sandwich.
The company was founded by David Scharfman who pitched the product in season 11 of Shark Tank. As of 2024, the company’s estimated net worth is $10 million.
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Quick Facts
| Business details: | Protein and Calcium rich Snacks |
| Founders name: | David Scharfman |
| Founded in: | 2012 |
| Location (Country): | Wisconsin |
| Investment Asked by Company | $500,000 For 5% equity |
| Sharks on board (Investors) | Kevin O’Leary ($500,000 for $0.20 royalty per bar) |
| Accepted Deals: | Rejected |
| Shark Tank Episode: | Season 11, Episode 19 |
| Net Worth | $10 million |
| Business Status: | Active |
| Social Media | Instagram |
| Last Updated: | Jan 24, 2024 |
About David Scharfman
David Scharfman is a resident of Madison, Wisconsin, who studied political science and government degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After completing his graduation, he enrolled at the UVA Darden School of Business to study MBA with a focus on general management and finance.
Right after his post-graduation, he established Guangdong Poker Club in 2009. A few months later, he became the international marketing manager for his family-owned business, Speciality Cheese Company.
In 2012, he founded his own cheese business called Fresh! Cheese Company in Manila, Philippines. Unfortunately, the business failed and he had to come back to New York. He then secured a job at The Alexander Group.
Founding Just The Cheese
After a few years, David Scharfman started another business, where he created a remake of his father’s business top-selling snack. He named it Just the Cheese.
In 2017, he bought baked cheese and realized that his product tastes better. He then asked his father to produce his cheese snack.
The company made keto-friendly bars with shredded cheese. They also made bite-size versions and crisp bars. In the first year, the company made around $3.7 in revenue.
Just The Cheese On Shark Tank
To expand his business, David pitched his company in Shark Tank season 11. He made the Sharks taste his product before talking about his company’s finances.
Unfortunately, none of the Sharks were too impressed by his product. However, they did like David as a person. Guest Shark, Daniel Lubetzky said that other brands are offering similar products, to which David replied saying that Just the Cheese has better quality and taste.
Later the Sharks pointed out that the profits margins were too low. Due to this reason, most of them backed out. Only Kevin O’Leary offered him a deal of $500,000 in exchange for a $0.20 royalty per bar. However, David didn’t agree to the deal.
Just The Cheese After Shark Tank
Although Just The Cheese didn’t get any deal on Shark Tank, it received huge publicity after the airing of the episode. This worked in favor of the company as they started getting large amounts of orders. Not only that, but the brand was also featured in multiple publications.
At present, they are selling at 7/11 locations across the US. Just The Cheese is also available in retail stores like Walmart, Target, and their official site.
As per sources, the company’s current net worth is around $10 million.
FAQs
1. Is Just the Cheese still in business?
The company, which was initially owned by David Scharfman, is now not owned by him. That doesn’t mean that Just the Cheese is no longer in business. We don’t have much idea about the new ownership yet.
2. Who bought Just the Cheese?
Just the Cheese was eventually sold by David to John B. Sanfilippo & Son Inc. in 2018. There isn’t much public information about the deal yet.
3. Who is the CEO of Just Cheese?
Initially, David Scharfman was the founder and CEO of Just the Cheese but the authorities have now shifted after the company was sold to John B.
