Table 87 Coal Oven Pizza: What Happened After Shark Tank?

The Magic of Table 87 Coal Oven Pizza

Anyone walking past a traditional New York pizzeria knows the unmistakable, smoky scent of a coal-fired oven. Authentic coal-oven pizza is widely considered a culinary masterpiece. 

For many years, achieving that perfect balance of a crunchy, chewy crust with a slightly charred edge was an experience reserved for sit-down restaurants where diners had to purchase a massive, expensive pie.

That dynamic completely changed when Table 87 Coal Oven Pizza entered the market. Founded in the heart of Brooklyn, New York, Table 87 revolutionized the local food scene by becoming the first pizzeria in the city to offer authentic coal-oven pizza by the single slice. 

Today, the brand has grown into a massive national enterprise. It has appeared on national television, expanded into multiple physical restaurant locations, and launched a massive business shipping its famous frozen pizzas directly to homes and grocery stores across the United States.

For consumers wondering what happened to Table 87 after its famous appearance on reality television, or for those simply looking for the best premium frozen pizza in 2026, here is a complete look at the company today.

The Science Behind the Coal-Fired Crust

Table 87 Coal Oven Pizza offers a premium dining experience that blends traditional Italian-American cooking with incredible modern convenience. The secret to the company’s massive success lies entirely in its unique cooking method.

Unlike standard pizzas baked in conventional gas, wood, or electric ovens, Table 87 pizzas are cooked in massive artisanal coal-fired ovens. These heavy-duty ovens routinely reach staggering temperatures of over 900 to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. 

This intense, immediate heat serves two vital purposes. First, it infuses the raw dough with a rich, smoky flavor profile that cannot be replicated by gas. Second, it creates a pizza crust that is simultaneously thin, crunchy on the outside, and delightfully chewy on the inside.

The company also refuses to cut corners on its ingredients. Every pie is topped with a tangy plum tomato sauce, house-made fresh mozzarella cheese, sprinkled grana cheese, and fresh basil. 

While many commercial frozen pizzas rely on artificial preservatives and cheap fillers, Table 87 uses real, clean ingredients that consumers can easily pronounce.

The True Story of the Founder

There is often confusion online regarding who exactly started the Table 87 brand. Some outdated internet sources have incorrectly credited various restaurant consultants for the company’s creation. However, the true founder and visionary behind Table 87 Coal Oven Pizza is Thomas Cucco.

Growing up in Brooklyn, Cucco was constantly surrounded by rich Italian-American culinary traditions. He realized early on that while Brooklyn was the epicenter of incredible pizza, there was a major gap in the market. 

It was practically impossible to buy a single slice of coal-fired pizza on the go, as traditional coal-oven restaurants required customers to sit down and order an entire pie.

In 2012, Cucco decided to change the rules. He opened his first small pizza shop in the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood, proudly crowning the establishment the “Home of the Coal Oven Slice”. The local community immediately embraced the concept.

By 2014, Cucco recognized another massive business opportunity. He wanted to share his authentic Brooklyn slices with people who lived far outside of New York. 

He developed a proprietary method to fully cook the slices in his 900-degree coal oven, flash-freeze them immediately to prevent ice crystallization (also known as freezer burn), and vacuum-seal them in specialized packaging. 

This innovative process allowed the pizza to travel anywhere in the country and go straight from the consumer’s freezer to their dinner plate in a matter of minutes.

Table 87 Coal Oven Pizza Shark Tank Pitch: Season 7, Episode 4

With a brilliant product and strong early local success, Thomas Cucco set his sights on securing national distribution. 

In October 2015, during Season 7, Episode 4 of ABC’s hit television show Shark Tank, Cucco stepped onto the carpet to pitch his frozen pizza business to a panel of wealthy investors.

Cucco asked the investors for a $200,000 investment in exchange for a 10% equity stake in his frozen pizza division, formally called Table 87 Frozen. 

At the time of his television pitch, his frozen food sales had already reached $260,000. However, he desperately needed capital to build a separate, dedicated commercial kitchen so he could scale up his manufacturing without disrupting his regular restaurant operations.

To win the investors over, Cucco served up fresh samples cut directly from his massive 20-inch restaurant pies. The panel was immediately blown away by the authentic taste and the unique crispness of the crust.

The resulting business negotiations were intense and featured several different offers:

Investor	Offer Details	Result
Robert Herjavec	No offer made.	Dropped out, citing heavy competition in the frozen food aisle.
Kevin O’Leary	$200,000 for a royalty fee of $0.25 per slice until $600,000 is recouped.	Offer declined.
Barbara Corcoran	$200,000 for a 30% equity stake in the frozen business.	Offer declined.
Lori Greiner	$250,000 for a 20% equity stake.	Negotiated down to 19%.

Cucco expertly countered Lori Greiner’s offer, asking if she would accept an 18% stake instead. They ultimately compromised and shook hands on a deal for $250,000 in exchange for a 19% equity stake in the company.

Did the Shark Tank Deal Actually Close?

As followers of the business world know, a handshake on television does not always mean the money instantly transfers to the business owner. After the cameras stop rolling, both parties enter a standard legal due diligence phase. 

Ultimately, the business transaction between Table 87 and Lori Greiner was never finalized, and the investment deal fell through.

However, the “Shark Tank Effect” proved to be very real for the pizza company. The national television exposure catapulted Table 87 into the mainstream spotlight. Cucco immediately launched a dedicated online store and began shipping his flash-frozen pizzas on dry ice to hungry fans nationwide, capitalizing on the massive wave of new customer interest.

Exploring the Three Brick-and-Mortar Locations of Table 87 Coal Oven Pizza

While the frozen packaged business continues to boom, Table 87 remains deeply rooted in its local New York community. As of 2026, the company operates three distinct and highly successful dining establishments in Brooklyn, alongside a dedicated cocktail bar.

1. Brooklyn Heights (87 Atlantic Avenue)

This is the original flagship location where the business began in 2012. It serves as a beloved neighborhood staple, offering full table service, dining reservations, and a recently expanded dining room. 

The location features an extensive menu with seasonal specials like a 12-inch Siciliano Pizza, Crispy Zucchini Flowers, and Skillet Lobster Mac & Cheese. The restaurant also hosts a popular happy hour with deals on craft beer, house wine, and signature cocktails.

2. Gowanus (473 3rd Avenue)

The Gowanus location offers a massive dining space and late-night pizza service on weekends, remaining open until 2:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. This location is particularly notable because it is connected to Eighty Seven Next Door, a fully renovated craft cocktail and pizza bar owned by the brand. 

This stylish venue features contemporary classic drinks like the Mezcal White Negroni, the Bensonhurst, and innovative zero-proof mocktails for non-drinkers, such as the Kentucky Sour and the Ghia Colada.

3. Industry City (238 36th Street)

Located within a historical warehousing and manufacturing complex in the Sunset Park neighborhood, this casual counter-service location caters to the thousands of workers and tourists exploring Brooklyn’s vibrant waterfront. It is considered the perfect spot to grab a quick coal-oven slice and a cold draft beer during a busy lunch hour.

Menu Highlights: Beyond the Standard Slice

For customers visiting one of the physical Brooklyn locations, the food options extend far beyond a simple slice of cheese pizza. The culinary offerings celebrate the founder’s rich Italian-American heritage and include premium ingredients :

• Signature Pizzas: Diners can order personal 12-inch pies or massive 20-inch pies to share. Popular flavor variations include the Wild Mushroom & Truffle Oil pie, the Prosciutto & Baby Arugula pie, the spicy Calabrese ‘Nduja pie, and a decadent Burrata Margherita.
• Calzones & Heros: The classic 4 Cheese Calzone and the “Tommy’s Meatball” Calzone (featuring fresh mozzarella, fontina, ricotta, and parmesan cheese) are massive crowd favorites. Their hot hero sandwiches, including the Prime Cut Ribeye and the Eggplant Parmigiana, offer substantial portions served with homemade fries.
• Pastas & Large Plates: For a traditional sit-down dinner, the restaurant prepares Farfalle Basil Pesto, Rigatoni Bolognese, Linguini with Clam Sauce, and hearty entrees like Grilled Wild Salmon and Chicken Marsala.

The 2026 Expansion of Table 87 into Retail Grocery Stores

Consumers do not need to book a flight to New York to enjoy Table 87 today. In 2026, their frozen pizza line has expanded significantly. 

The brand is now available in hundreds of major grocery stores, primarily located east of the Mississippi River. Shoppers can easily find the distinctive packaging in the freezer aisles of national chains like Whole Foods, Wegmans, Stop & Shop, and The Fresh Market.

The frozen pizza segment is currently undergoing a massive “premiumization” phase. Technavio market research indicates the frozen pizza sector is growing at a 5% annual rate. Modern consumers increasingly demand restaurant-quality experiences from the comfort of their homes.

Table 87 competes directly against other high-end artisanal brands in the supermarket aisle. The following table illustrates how the company compares to its primary competitors in the 2026 premium frozen pizza market :

Frozen Pizza Brand	Primary Value Proposition	Origin & Manufacturing	Key Market Differentiator
Table 87	Authentic coal-oven pizza	Brooklyn, New York	Flash-frozen, fully cooked slices featuring a 900°F coal-fired char.
Talia di Napoli	Authentic Neapolitan style	Naples, Italy	Handmade in Italy and imported directly to the United States.
Rao’s Homemade	Premium clean ingredients	United States	Famous sauce made completely without tomato paste or added sugars.
Screamin’ Sicilian	Craft-style heavy toppings	United States	Known for abundant toppings and highly rated restaurant-style cheese.

B2B Foodservice Innovations

Beyond the traditional grocery aisle, Table 87 has tapped into a highly lucrative business-to-business (B2B) market. Through their specialized “Heat & Serve” foodservice program, the company supplies fully cooked, frozen coal-fired pizzas directly to commercial kitchens.

The U.S. restaurant industry faces intense economic pressures in 2026. Following years of inflation, operators continue to struggle with elevated food costs and massive increases in labor expenses. 

Table 87’s wholesale program provides a perfect solution. It allows independent bars, cafes, hotels, and entertainment venues to serve premium Brooklyn pizza to their guests in just five minutes. 

The venue owners do not need to hire a specialized pizza chef, purchase an expensive coal oven, or worry about tossing fresh dough. They simply heat the frozen product and serve it, completely eliminating food waste and keeping their labor costs low.

E-Commerce Pricing and Delivery

For ultimate convenience, consumers can order directly from the official Table 87 website. Because shipping frozen food safely requires heavy dry ice and specialized insulated packaging, shipping costs can be high. To offset this, the brand offers free nationwide shipping on all consumer orders over $100.

The current 2026 pricing model reflects the premium, artisanal nature of the product. The items are packaged and sold in the following formats:

Product Type	Available Flavors	2026 Price Estimate
Giant Pizza Slices (4, 8, or 12 packs)	Margherita, Pepperoni	Starting at $59.95
10-Inch Whole Pies (Multi-Packs)	Margherita, Pepperoni, Mushroom with White Truffle Oil	Starting at $69.99

Customers who wish to keep their freezers consistently stocked can also utilize automated subscription options on the company’s online store, allowing for recurring deliveries without needing to manually reorder.

Table 87 2026 Financial Standing and Future Outlook

Table 87 is a premier example of how to survive and thrive in the notoriously difficult restaurant industry. When Thomas Cucco originally pitched on reality television, his small company was valued at roughly $2 million.

Even though the televised investment deal ultimately fell through, Cucco’s relentless drive paid off in a major way. As of recent financial tracking in 2024 and 2026, Table 87 brings in an impressive estimated $5 million in annual revenue. The overall corporate net worth of the enterprise is currently estimated to be around $10 million.

By successfully blending a thriving physical restaurant presence with a highly scalable frozen food division, Table 87 has protected itself from the razor-thin profit margins that routinely bankrupt traditional eateries.

Is Table 87 Worth the Premium Price?

In an era where budget-friendly frozen pizzas can easily be found for just a few dollars at any local convenience store, Table 87 certainly sits at a much higher premium price point. However, comparing a Table 87 pie to a mass-produced, additive-heavy frozen pizza is entirely unfair.

When consumers purchase Table 87, they are paying for authentic culinary craftsmanship. They are experiencing high-quality dough that has been hand-tossed and baked at 900 degrees in a real Brooklyn coal oven. They are consuming real plum tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, rather than artificial cheese blends. 

For pizza aficionados who want to experience a true, authentic slice of New York history without ever having to leave their kitchen, Table 87 Coal Oven Pizza remains one of the absolute best products available on the market in 2026.