Fahid Daoud Fulfilled The American Dream Through A Chain Of Chili Restaurants In Cincinnati, Ohio

Founder of Gold Star Chili Fahid Daoud passes away at age 83

Daoud emigrated to America in 1957, following one of his uncles, with plans to study business. He was creative in his endeavors to earn money, selling orange juice, going door-to-door to sell old clothes as fabrics and selling newspaper subscriptions. Through those means he was able to pay his way through Chase College, earning a business degree in 1963.

That same year, the Daoud brothers acquired Hamburger Heaven for a down payment of $1,200. Gold Star Chili was born in 1965 when the brothers decided to drop hamburgers from the menu and focus solely on chili.

Though he retired from Gold Star Chili in 1989, Daoud kept busy with nearly a dozen endeavors. He co-founded the St. James Eastern Orthodox Church in Loveland, invested in real estate development and businesses, and was a master franchisee for Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken in the Middle East and North Africa region. His love for Cincinnati chili spurred him to co-found a chain in the Middle East called Chili House.

“Frank had an incredible appetite for living life to its fullest,” brother-inlaw and current CEO Roger David said. “He will always be remembered for his loyalty to his family, big smile, and for not taking things too seriously. His way of living and how he radiated positive energy is a great example for us all. His impact on us all and this company will not be forgotten.”