Where Is Pork Barrel Barbecue From Shark Tank Today?

Barbecue is a mainstay in America, and it can be hard to set your version apart from the rest with so many delicious and easy barbecue sauce recipes around. "Shark Tank," of course, offers people the chance to pitch their product and make it big, and it can be the difference in whether a product succeeds or fails. It's no wonder, then, why the folks behind Pork Barrel Barbecue were so keen to make their pitch to the panel of sharks.

Brett Thompson and Heath Hall came from the lobbying world of Washington, D.C., with the dream to grow their company, which makes barbecue sauces and spice rubs. They appeared on the show looking for a $50,000 investment in return for 10% of their company. Unfortunately, not every shark was buying it, with lots of concern over whether the pair's valuation was accurate. Ultimately, they settled on a deal with Barbara Corcoran for $50,000 in exchange for 50% of the company. And the good news is that Pork Barrel Barbecue is still bringing home the bacon.

Success after "Shark Tank" is never guaranteed, and there have been big failures over the years. But the Pork Barrel boys have had an exciting success story. After appearing on the show, the company quickly went national and made back both its investment as well as Corcoran's. In fact, Pork Barrel has been one of the best deals Corcoran has ever invested in, making it a massive win for everyone involved.

In 2011, it was announced that the company opened its first restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia. The restaurant has proven successful and is still open today, serving as a cornerstone of the city's dining scene. Since then, it has expanded its business, opening Holy Cow, which specializes in shakes and burgers, just down the street from the barbecue haven. The company's staying power and major expansions make it one of the biggest success stories from "Shark Tank."

Building a national brand that has racked up awards for its sauces and spices, and opening two restaurants would be considered a success by any measure. Never to be done with the work, Brett and Heath have continued to grow, introducing a jerky company in 2016 to capture more of the market on meat. Like their first company, the jerky business has been a success, with $4 million in revenue as of 2021.

What started as a project in a garage back in 2008 has come a long way in 15 years, full of awards, restaurants, and good barbecue. Pork Barrel has undoubtedly enjoyed the success that "Shark Tank" brought them, but at the end of the day, it's always about the meat. Hall explains, "Barbecue is more than just the food. In many ways, it is the story of America with each region adding its flavor to the melting pot. It's about community and fellowship," he told Washington Life. With that approach, it's no shock that this "Shark Tank" darling has remained a winner.