Fortune International, LLC, the Midwest’s leading processor, distributor and importer of quality seafood, meats, and gourmet products; announces the July 2 acquisition of Jubilee Foods, Inc (Jubilee Seafood). Jubilee Seafood is a prominent, Alabama-based branded seafood distributor and importer with operating facilities in Bayou La Batre, Birmingham and Picayune, Mississippi. Jubilee services the entire Gulf Coast and Birmingham, Alabama with a full line of frozen seafood, oysters, and local gourmet products.
This acquisition expands the Fortune Fish & Gourmet brand south, servicing Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida. Fortune will continue to operate the business out of the three Jubilee Seafood facilities.
Patrick Kraver will be staying on as the Vice President and General Manager of Fortune Fish & Gourmet – Gulf States. Sean J. O’Scannlain, Fortune’s president & CEO, says, “Our growth focus has always been the central United States, and Jubilee is the perfect partner for us to expand south. We are eager to build on their strong relationships with the addition of a fresh seafood program and our gourmet portfolio. We will also expand Jubilee’s strong domestic shrimp program within our other divisions.”
Jubilee Seafood was founded in 1967 by Charles Walton Kraver, Sr. who came from a family with a long history of working in the seafood industry. He began his career working on shrimp boats as a deckhand, then captain and ultimately owning a fleet of commercial shrimp trawlers. He was a member of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council for three years and the Conservatory Advisory Board for seven years. Kraver, also owns Deep Sea, a shrimp processing facility in Bayou La Batre, and Country Girl, a commercial shrimp boat fishing out of Bayou La Batre. Deep Sea and Country Girl are not included in the acquisition of Jubilee. Walton will stay on through the transition.
Patrick Kraver, Co-Owner and Vice President of Jubilee Seafoods says, “We are excited about the opportunity to join forces with Fortune,” Kraver stated. “Fortune has a well-deserved reputation for excellence in seafood, gourmet products, and a tremendous history in production. We look forward to growing our business providing, high-quality seafood to our customers.”
Fortune International embarked upon an acquisition strategy in 2012. The Jubilee Seafoods acquisition follows the acquisitions of JDY Gourmet in 2012, Chef Martin Old World Butcher Shop in 2014, Coastal Seafoods in 2016, Lobster Gram in 2017, Morey’s Seafood International of Missouri in April of 2019 and Classic Provisions Inc. in June of 2019.
