Father’s investment a secret ingredient in Joe Gourmet’s recipe for success

By Nayita Wilson
Contributing Writer

Whether working Louisiana’s festival scene, partnering with national grocery chains, or landing a business deal on ABC’s “Shark Tank” for the company’s signature fish fry, family remains a key ingredient to the growth and success of Joe’s Gourmet Fish Fry.

“I jumped at the opportunity to invest in my son because my wife and I believed in him. I had always wanted to be an entrepreneur but never had the chance. I am so glad I did because it has been the adventure of a lifetime,” said Joseph Dowell Jr.

Joseph Jr. and his wife Patricia invested their life savings to help their son Joseph “Joe” Dowell III launch Atlanta-based Joe’s Gourmet in 1998. The company, named after the elder Dowell, started with restaurants in Atlanta and New Orleans, the latter of which operated until Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Following the restaurant phase, Joe’s Gourmet shifted its focus to festivals, traveling to various cities to reach a wider consumer base. During festival tours, Joe’s wife, Maranda Dowell, recommended bagging the company’s signature fish fry. The decision to do so transitioned the company into manufacturing and aligning with grocery stores for product placement.

“We kept growing, and my wife was always there trying to push us farther,” Joe said.

Within the last two years, Joe’s Gourmet Fish Fry distribution increased from eight stores to approximately 1,300 stores nationwide. Earlier this year, the company won a $150,000 investment on Shark Tank from investor and businessman Daymond John. The investment will help the company expand into new retailers.

The Dowells said teamwork, persistence and customer loyalty contribute to their business accomplishments.

“It takes the ability to stay out of your own way. Right now, we’re in such a period of growth, and we’ve never been here before. If we would’ve listened to some, we might have been delayed. Be persistent in finding out what you believe,” Joe said.

Joe’s Gourmet is completely family owned and operated. Joe and Maranda manage sales, distribution and operations. Joseph Jr. travels with the company and works every festival. Patricia handles bookkeeping, clerical duties and babysits Joe and Maranda’s two children.

The family also has strong ties to Louisiana. The Dowells are New Orleans natives. Joe grew up on Washington Avenue and graduated from Walter L. Cohen High School. He said the company has been a fixture at city festivals and events.

“We definitely want [to] thank the city of New Orleans, which has been a concrete block. They helped me develop,” Joe said.

Maranda said, “When we go out, it’s amazing. When we see people afterwards, it’s like they took that ride with us – a whole generation of people seeing a father and son working together for over twenty years.”

This article originally published in the June 18, 2018 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.