Complete Bio of Al Copeland can be found at the following website: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Copeland Alvin Charles Al Copeland (Born - February 2, 1944 – Died - March 23, 2008) was an American entrepreneur who created the Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits fast food chain. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Copeland had a humble beginning with his family living at one point in the St. Thomas public housing project. Copelands father left the family shortly after Alvin (Al), the youngest of three sons, was born. Copeland did not complete high school, having left at 16, and worked at Schwegmanns Super Market as a soda jerk and then for Tastee Donut, a doughnut chain partially owned by his brother, Gil. At 18, Copeland sold his car to purchase one doughnut location from his brother. While Copeland never completed high school, he used his wealth to benefit education programs, including establishing the Alvin C. Copeland Endowed Chair of Franchising at Louisiana State University, providing funding for the Delgado Community College chef apprentice program, and supporting the National Food Service Institute. He had nine children – five sons and four daughters – by four wives. Copeland became a New Orleans icon due to his flamboyant lifestyle, including his eponymous power boat racing teams, extravagant weddings, and his annual Christmas light show at his mansion located in an upscale neighborhood in Metairie. In 1972, Al Copeland founded the Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits fast food chain. Copeland began franchising his restaurant in 1976, opening the first franchise restaurant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Approximately 500 outlets were added over the next 10 years, followed by 200 more during a period of slower expansion. Mr. Al Copeland Aint There No More - New Orleans
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 12:32:44 +0000
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