Product packaging and labeling can play a major role in whether a food product succeeds in retail. A great example is Simply Good Jars, a Philadelphia-based startup that gained national attention after appearing on the hit TV show Shark Tank.
Founded by chef-turned-entrepreneur Jared Cannon, Simply Good Jars disrupted the packaged salad market with its innovative grab-and-go salads packaged in reusable jars. The company’s unique packaging system and smart distribution strategy helped it grow rapidly after securing a deal with investors Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner.
In this case study, we explore:
What Simply Good Jars is
The story behind founder Jared Cannon
The company’s Shark Tank deal
How the business scaled its retail distribution
How packaging and labeling supported its growth
Simply Good Jars: Quick Overview
Company: Simply Good Jars
Founder: Jared Cannon
Founded: 2017
Headquarters: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Product: Fresh grab-and-go salads in jars
Shark Tank Deal: $500,000 for 10% equity (Mark Cuban & Lori Greiner)
Key Innovation: Patent-pending SMARTJAR packaging technology
Simply Good Jars focuses on making fresh, healthy meals accessible in convenient packaging, allowing customers to mix their salads simply by shaking the jar.
What Is Simply Good Jars?
Simply Good Jars is a food startup that sells fresh, ready-to-eat salads packaged in portable jars. The concept is simple: customers can mix the salad ingredients by shaking the jar and eat directly from the container.
Each jar contains carefully layered ingredients designed to maintain freshness while delivering restaurant-quality flavor. The company offers several popular salad options, including:
SouthWestern Cobb
Smoked Salmon
Simply Greek
Heavenly Pesto
Chicken Quinoa
Each jar typically retails for around $10.99, positioning Simply Good Jars as a premium grab-and-go meal option.
The innovative packaging design allows the salads to stay fresh longer than traditional packaged salads while remaining easy to transport.
Who Founded Simply Good Jars?
Simply Good Jars was founded by Jared Cannon, a chef who spent nearly 18 years working in the restaurant industry before pursuing an MBA at Temple University’s Fox School of Business.
During late nights studying for his MBA, Cannon realized how difficult it was to find healthy, convenient food options. Most ready-made meals were either unhealthy or lacked freshness.
This realization led to the idea behind Simply Good Jars — providing fresh, nutritious meals that are easy to grab, transport, and eat anywhere.
In 2017, Cannon launched the company with just a $1,000 loan and a vision to reinvent the packaged salad industry.
Packaging Innovation: SMARTJAR Technology
One of the biggest innovations behind Simply Good Jars is its SMARTJAR packaging technology.
This patent-pending packaging method allows salads to stay fresh two to three times longer than traditional packaged salads without the use of preservatives.
The layered jar design separates ingredients in a way that prevents sogginess while maintaining flavor and texture. Customers simply shake the jar before eating to mix the ingredients evenly.
This packaging innovation helped Simply Good Jars stand out in the crowded grab-and-go food market.
How Simply Good Jars Sells Its Products
Initially, Simply Good Jars focused on selling salads through refrigerated vending machines placed in locations with high foot traffic, such as:
Airports
Universities
Office buildings
Convention centers
These locations allowed the company to target customers looking for quick, healthy meals on the go.
However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company had to pivot quickly. With fewer people commuting and traveling, Simply Good Jars shifted toward:
Home delivery
Retail store distribution
Partnerships with meal delivery platforms
Because the company sources ingredients within a 500-mile radius of its production facilities, it was able to maintain supply chain stability while many competitors struggled.
Simply Good Jars on Shark Tank
The company gained national exposure when Jared Cannon appeared on Shark Tank seeking an investment of $500,000 for 7% equity.
The sharks were impressed by:
The taste of the salads
The innovative packaging
The sustainability mission
However, some investors were concerned about the costs associated with the company’s original vending machine model.
Eventually, Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner offered $500,000 for 10% equity, which Cannon accepted.
The deal helped Simply Good Jars expand its retail presence and accelerate growth.
How Simply Good Jars Grew After Shark Tank
After the episode aired in March 2021, the company experienced explosive growth.
Within just two days:
Website traffic surged
The company received hundreds of distribution inquiries
Retail demand increased significantly
Since appearing on Shark Tank, Simply Good Jars has reported sales growth of more than 1,200%.
Today, the salads are available through:
goPuff meal delivery platform
hospital cafeterias
coffee shops
retail stores such as Walgreens, Wawa, and Sheetz
In 2022, the company opened a new production facility in Florida to support its expanding distribution network.
Case Study: Supporting Simply Good Jars With Labeling Solutions
As Simply Good Jars expanded its production and retail distribution, maintaining consistent product labeling and packaging quality became increasingly important.
Pro-Motion Industries has worked closely with Simply Good Jars to support their labeling needs and help maintain high production standards.
In addition to applying professional labeling solutions, Pro-Motion Industries has also advised the company on investing in in-house labeling equipment. This allows Simply Good Jars to label products more efficiently in remote production locations while reducing long-term operational costs.
As the company continues to grow, scalable labeling systems will play an important role in maintaining consistency across its expanding distribution network.
Simply Good Jars Timeline
2017 — Jared Cannon launches Simply Good Jars
2019 — SMARTJAR packaging technology developed
2021 — Appears on Shark Tank and secures investment
2021 — Sales grow over 1,200% after the episode airs
2022 — New Florida production facility opens
FAQ
What is Simply Good Jars?
Simply Good Jars is a Philadelphia-based food startup that sells fresh, ready-to-eat salads packaged in reusable jars.
Who founded Simply Good Jars?
Simply Good Jars was founded by chef and entrepreneur Jared Cannon in 2017.
Did Simply Good Jars get a deal on Shark Tank?
Yes. Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner invested $500,000 for 10% equity in the company.
Where can you buy Simply Good Jars?
Simply Good Jars products are available through retail stores such as Walgreens, Wawa, and Sheetz, as well as the delivery platform goPuff.
Conclusion
Simply Good Jars demonstrates how innovative food packaging, strong branding, and strategic distribution can transform a simple idea into a rapidly growing retail brand.
From its beginnings as a small startup to becoming a Shark Tank success story, the company continues to expand its reach while focusing on fresh ingredients, sustainability, and convenient packaging.
As Simply Good Jars scales production and distribution, maintaining high-quality labeling and packaging standards will remain a critical part of its continued success.
Want your business to become the next packaging success story?
Pro-Motion Industries provides professional product labeling services and labeling equipment solutions designed to help food brands scale efficiently. Call 856-809-0040 to speak with our labeling experts today.