Joe Dion was the founder of Louisiana Famous Fried Chicken. Dion came to Los Angeles from Michigan in 1957 with nothing in pockets and inclination to work in restaurants. After a month in his garage with a 30 pound fryer, experimenting with a recipe he says he obtained from New Orleans chef Paul Prudhomme, he arrived at a product chicken in a Zesty Cajun batter fried to a soft crunch and finished with a slight, spicy heat.
Over a decade of involvement with Jack-in-the-Box and Pioneer Chicken franchises, Joe decided to start his own. Over a year in development, LOUISIANA FAMOUS FRIED CHICKEN was born out of many research trips to New Orleans and experimentation in the family carport. The first store opened in August of 1976 in Los Angeles and the response by the public, in general, was so overwhelming that 10 stores were built by 1979. Joe started Licensing his stores and authorizing the trademark and formulas to autonomous administrators. He currently retired and has turned over operations to Michael P Eng.