Shivangi Sinha
Experimenting with popular comfort foods has become a booming business, with many brands putting creative spins on familiar favorites to attract curious customers. From wild mashups to over-the-top presentations, novelty often takes center stage. However, what many of these ventures lack is authenticity and a true commitment to quality ingredients. That’s where Mad Mutz stands out. Known for its genuine take on mozzarella sticks, which are crispy and flavorful, Mutz brings back the joy of classic snacking done right. Their appearance on ABC’s ‘Shark Tank’ Season 16, Episode 17 offered them a national platform to showcase their passion for flavors and inventive twists to elevate a beloved snack without cutting corners.
Mad Mutz: Who Are They and What Do They Do?
Michael Hauke always had a strong passion for making fresh, locally sourced produce more accessible to the public, and he built his career around that mission. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Resource Economics and Entrepreneurship from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2002. In 2010, he took his first entrepreneurial step by launching Tony’s Farm Table, a venture that organized farmers’ markets across various parts of New Jersey. It also brought high-quality, fresh mozzarella to the market. Soon, he got his footing and began prepping for the next step in his career. In 2019, Hauke took a bold leap by opening his own restaurant, Tony Boloney’s, a traditional pizza joint with a twist.
What started as a single location quickly expanded into multiple spots across New Jersey, including Hoboken, Atlantic City, and Jersey City, along with a fleet of food trucks serving hungry crowds throughout the state. However, by the early 2020s, Hauke began noticing a consistent issue: the frozen mozzarella sticks commonly available on the market were overly greasy, lacking flavor, and made with low-quality ingredients. Frustrated by the lack of authenticity and freshness, he was inspired to create a better version. Around this time, his longtime friend Michael Burns, a seasoned expert in real estate and development and the President & CEO of Burns Property Group, LLC, came on board. A graduate of Cardozo School of Law, he had an extensive career in real estate. He had worked for firms like Zell Enterprises. He also holds the position of Of Counsel for Kraemer Burns. Together, they set out to redefine what mozzarella sticks could be.
Instead of relying on the usual “filler-filled blocks” of cheese that dominate the frozen aisle, Hauke and Burns embraced a quasi-traditional process that emphasized full moisture, whole ingredients, and a short, simple list of components. They skipped the shortcuts and focused on quality, crafting each stick to be crisp on the outside and irresistibly gooey on the inside. At the heart of their innovation was a top-secret recipe that remains fiercely guarded. To bring their vision to life, they set up their own “Mozzarella Laboratory” in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where they experimented with textures, techniques, and unexpected flavor profiles. They come frozen and can be oil-fried, pan-friend, air-fried or baked. By blending old-school craftsmanship with bold creativity, they began redefining what a mozzarella stick could be.
Mad Mutz: Where Are They Now?
Today, Mad Mutz offers an impressive lineup of 13 unique flavors of mozzarella sticks and balls, each one crafted to stand out. Retailers like Shoprite and Casels and food services like Driscoll and Seashore have been proudly selling these taste bombs. Their products are available for purchase at local markets as well as through Tony Boloney’s locations. They can also be purchased through their website. What sets them apart is their commitment to quality and the guarantee that all their Mutz are handmade and completely free of preservatives, staying true to their mission of delivering real, flavorful food with no shortcuts. The positive feedback from their customers has been their true driving force.
Mad Mutz’s lineup of flavors is as creative as it is delicious. Some of their standout varieties include Da Patty, The Popper, Gluten Free Nonna, and Cacio e Pepe. They’ve also introduced playful and bold creations like The Gaucho, featuring a savory chimichurri mozzarella, and The Ole’ Smokey, made with deeply smoked mozzarella. One of their most eye-catching offerings is The Unicorn, which is crafted with rainbow-colored fresh mozzarella and coated in a sparkly classic crumb crust. Prices vary slightly depending on the flavor, but a standard 4-pack typically ranges between $44.99 and $49.99. For those who want more, Mad Mutz also offers bundles like The Lab Pack (40 sticks for $79.99) and The Spicy Pack (25 sticks for $54.99).
Mad Mutz is riding a wave of momentum, with business booming as more people discover their crave-worthy, handcrafted mozzarella creations. The buzz isn’t just about the food. Customers are also snapping up their exclusive merch line, which includes stylish T-shirts, cozy hoodies, sleek caps, and beanies that represent the brand’s playful edge. With demand growing fast and free shipping on orders over $99, Mad Mutz is quickly becoming one of the favorite bites to munch on.
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