pi00a After Shark Tank: How the Stein Family Took Deaf-Owned Pizza From Restaurant to Freezer

The two zeros in pi00a are a recipe note hidden inside the company name. They stand in for the double z in pizza and refer to the Italian 00 flour the Stein family uses in its crust. The larger change the family made was taking restaurant pizza into the freezer: a customer no longer has to live near its kitchen to try a pie, and the company can build jobs around production as well as table service.

Melody, Russell, Taysia and Rylan Stein closed out Season 17 with a $200,000 agreement from Lori Greiner. Their pitch paired a specific food product with a commitment to opportunities for Deaf workers. The company’s employment story can be seen in its kitchen, while the commercial case still turns on the ordinary, difficult economics of getting a premium frozen pizza into a customer’s oven.

Product snapshot

How does pi00a work?

The company’s process description says its dough uses imported 00 flour, ferments for 24 hours and is blast-chilled. The assortment spans familiar styles such as Margherita and a more distinctive Miso Eggplant. That pairing gives buyers two ways into the brand: compare its take on a classic, or try a topping combination they may not find in a standard supermarket freezer.

A restaurant controls the moment a pizza leaves the oven. A frozen brand gives that final step to the customer. Clear preparation directions and a crust that performs reliably in a household oven are therefore part of product development, not merely words on the box.

Who built pi00a?

Melody and Russell met at Gallaudet University. Melody studied pizza making in Italy in 2011, and the couple went on to run a Deaf-owned Neapolitan pizzeria in San Francisco. Gallaudet’s account identifies the current family roles: Melody is CEO, Russell handles finance, Taysia leads marketing and sales, and Rylan works on operations and compliance.

The business intentionally hires Deaf team members. Its work with Gallaudet intern Matteo Giansanti in 2025 gives that commitment a concrete example. Gallaudet also documented the family’s earlier national television appearance before the Sharks entered the story.

The flour behind the company’s name. Photo: pi00a.

“I wish GIEI was around during my time at Gallaudet.” — Melody Stein, discussing mentorship with Gallaudet University.

What happened to pi00a on Shark Tank?

The family offered 5% for $200,000, implying a $4 million post-money price. They reported about $422,000 in lifetime sales, including approximately $222,000 in the preceding year, but the business was not profitable at the time. Those numbers gave the Sharks evidence of paid demand and a reason to ask how much remained after making, freezing and distributing each pie.

Greiner agreed to invest the requested amount for 12%. The final terms implied about $1.67 million post-money. Gallaudet’s subsequent reporting independently confirms the $200,000 investment story. The offer did not erase the company’s operating challenge: a premium product must justify a premium price after manufacturing and cold transport. Episode reporting.

Deal snapshot

How restaurant craft changes when it travels frozen

In a pizzeria, the family can explain the dough, serve the pizza at the right moment and hear a customer’s reaction immediately. In a freezer aisle, the box must accomplish the introduction, the retailer takes part of the selling price and the customer finishes the bake. The brand can reach far more households, but it loses some control over the first experience.

A direct bundle can tell the story and introduce several flavors, while a grocery listing gives shoppers a chance to try one pizza without ordering a shipment. Cold packaging and transport matter in the first channel; retailer margins and shelf turnover matter in the second. The public sales figures do not show which channel generates more profit.

Business model snapshot

What happened after Shark Tank?

Latest update — November 12, 2026. The official store features its signature flavors, a Shark Tank bundle and recognition for Miso Eggplant. Gallaudet documents the family’s operational roles and continuing work with Deaf entrepreneurs.

A named intern, documented family roles and an available product range are stronger evidence than a generic statement about impact. They do not establish a current employee count, nationwide retail availability or profitability. Customers should check the current product and location information for their area.

Current status evidence

Company timeline

What should a buyer check?

Start with the topping you want, then compare local availability with a directly shipped bundle. Use the instructions supplied with the exact pizza; oven temperature and handling are part of reproducing the intended crust. Anyone avoiding wheat should note that 00 describes the flour’s milling type, not a gluten-free designation.

What can founders learn from pi00a?

A company can make its mission concrete without asking customers to buy on mission alone. pi00a can show who works in its kitchen and how responsibilities are shared. It can also explain exactly why the dough is different and what the customer should expect from the oven. Those are complementary forms of evidence, and a strong business needs both.

The Season 17 episode guide lists the other pitches. Readers following the other investment decisions in this part of Season 17 can also find Packd, Parrot Finance, Don’t Worry Snacks.

Frequently asked questions

Who presented pi00a on Shark Tank? Melody, Russell, Taysia and Rylan Stein

What did the founders ask for? $200,000 for 5%.

What happened in the negotiation? $200,000 for 12% with Lori Greiner.

Is pi00a still operating? The official shop lists pizzas and a Shark Tank assortment.

How do you pronounce pi00a? The company says “pie-oh-ah.” The zeros refer to Italian 00 flour.