He started out in 1972 with a chain of successful seafood restaurants (220 Seafood) in NC & VA. He came to the beach in 1978 and opened White Point Seafood Restaurant which is now the site of The House of Blues at Barefoot Landing. In the mid-80's, Joe wanted to offer casual fine dining to beach and golf enthusiasts, so he opened Joe's Bar & Grill. Having the name, 'Bar & Grill', many thought it was a burger ..joint, so, in 1989, Joe said "let's open a burger joint! ..An old-fashioned burger joint and call it Hamburger Joe's." Running 3 successful restaurants in the early 90's brought Buyers for White Point and Joe's Bar Grill, so Joe has just the one Hamburger Joe's(a 2nd is located in Surfside and owned/operated by Tony Cherney and family. Visit Hamburger Joe's-Surfside for their info.