Al Copeland
Encyclopedia
Alvin Charles "Al" Copeland (February 2, 1944 – March 23, 2008) was an American
entrepreneur
who created the Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits
fast food chain. He was also a successful restaurateur who created many successful upscale restaurants.
, Copeland had a humble beginning with his family living at one point in the St. Thomas public housing project
. Copeland's 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 Schwegmann's Super Market in Gentilly
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. This experience exposed him to the restaurant business and franchising
.
While Copeland never completed high school, he did use 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.
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. Copeland was both admired and disliked by many in New Orleans for his brash style. Upon Copeland's death, New Orleans newspaper columnist Chris Rose, who was often critical of Copeland, noted, "I'm a big fan of over-the-top. A big fan of celebration. A big fan of lust for life. A big fan of Big Fun. Copeland epitomized these things. He was one more guy who put his life on display for all to see, another example of talking too much, living too large and laughing too loud - those New Orleans attributes that sometimes make folks elsewhere a little leery of this place."
fast food
chain in the New Orleans suburb
of Arabi
in St. Bernard Parish
. 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.
In March 1989, Popeyes, then the third-largest chicken chain, purchased Church's Chicken
, the second largest. The parent company, Al Copeland Enterprises, operated the two chains separately. Combined, the company had over 2,000 locations. Criticism of the merger included the resulting presence of competing locations. Efforts were made to close underperforming stores and sell franchises; however, operational improvements could not overcome financial burdens resulting from the merger.
The Church's purchase was heavily financed with the security being the assets of Popeyes and the acquired company. In 1990, Al Copeland Enterprises had $391 million in debts. The debt reached more than $400 million by April 1991 when Copeland filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the company. Creditors had petitioned for involuntary bankruptcy and efforts to have the petition dismissed had failed. In October 1992, the bankruptcy court approved a plan submitted by a group of Copeland's creditors that created America's Favorite Chicken Company, Inc. (aka AFC) AFC served as the new parent company for Popeyes and Church's.
Although Copeland lost Popeyes in the bankruptcy, he retained the rights to some Popeyes recipes and products. He manufactured the spices through his Diversified Foods & Seasonings plants located in Metairie
, Madisonville
, New Orleans
, Mobile
, San Antonio
and Nebraska City
. The Diversified Foods & Seasonings contract with Popeyes extends through 2025.
will now stop and be moved to a park. New Orleans newspaper columnist Chris Rose, on informing his children of Copeland's passing stated, "I realized it was like telling a kid that Santa Claus was dead."
to secure the license. Eight years later, Guidry and Copeland encountered each other at an upscale restaurant in New Orleans, Morton's The Steakhouse. A melee ensued, involving Copeland, Guidry, and Guidry's sons. Witnesses said that Copeland's then wife (who was six months pregnant) was knocked to the ground. Both she and Copeland, who were celebrating their first wedding anniversary, were hospitalized. The Guidry group spent the night in jail.
Copeland had a very public feud with horror novelist Anne Rice
in 1997 regarding Copeland's opening of a restaurant in a previously run-down area of New Orleans. Rice placed a full page ad in the February 7 New Orleans Times-Picayune
newspaper, calling the restaurant "hideous", "a monstrosity" and "nothing short of an abomination".
Copeland's third marriage ended with significant controversy. The third divorce's original presiding judge, Ronald Bodenheimer
, pled guilty to promising a custody deal favorable to Copeland in return for a possible seafood contract and other benefits. Copeland contributed to the Bodenheimer campaign, and, according to Bodenheimer testimony, had personally contacted Bodenheimer regarding the custody matter. Bodenheimer stated that he had been summoned to a home owned by a Copeland business and stated that Copeland told him, "We supported you because you were the kind of guy who would do the right thing. And the right thing is to keep me and Alex together." At the time of his testimony, Bodenheimer was the subject of a significant federal probe. Two Copeland associates, as well as Bodenheimer, went to jail for participating in the conspiracy. Other than the Bodenheimer testimony, Copeland was never personally accused of participating.
, a rare form of cancer. Copeland had sought experimental treatments in Germany but died in Munich
on Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008, aged 64. He was buried in Metairie Cemetery
.
, Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro, Amor deBrazil, and Copeland's Social City, as well as the Improv
comedy clubs located in California and Pittsburgh, and three hotels. One of the Copeland hotels, The Clarion Grand Boutique Hotel, is ranked as one of the top Choice Hotels in the nation.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
who created the Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits
Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits
Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits is a chain of fried chicken fast food restaurants, owned since 1993 by the Sandy Springs, Georgia-based AFC Enterprises, which was originally America's Favorite Chicken Company...
fast food chain. He was also a successful restaurateur who created many successful upscale restaurants.
Personal life
Born in New Orleans, LouisianaNew Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, Copeland had a humble beginning with his family living at one point in the St. Thomas public housing project
St. Thomas Development
St. Thomas Development is a neighborhood of the city of New Orleans and a former Housing Projects of New Orleans. A subdistrict of the Central City/Garden District Area, its boundaries as defined by the City Planning Commission are: Constance, St. Mary, Magazine and Felicity Streets to the north,...
. Copeland's 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 Schwegmann's Super Market in Gentilly
Gentilly, New Orleans
Gentilly is a broad, predominantly middle-class and racially diverse section of New Orleans, Louisiana. The first part of Gentilly to be developed was along the Gentilly Ridge, a long stretch of high ground along the former banks of Bayou Gentilly...
as a soda jerk
Soda jerk
A soda jerk was a person — typically a youth — who operated the soda fountain in a drugstore, often for the purpose of preparing and serving ice cream soda. This was made by putting flavored syrup into a specially designed tall glass, adding carbonated water and, finally, one or two scoops of ice...
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. This experience exposed him to the restaurant business and franchising
Franchising
Franchising is the practice of using another firm's successful business model. The word 'franchise' is of anglo-French derivation - from franc- meaning free, and is used both as a noun and as a verb....
.
While Copeland never completed high school, he did use his wealth to benefit education programs, including establishing the Alvin C. Copeland Endowed Chair of Franchising at Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
, providing funding for the Delgado Community College
Delgado Community College
Delgado Community College ' is a Louisiana public community college with campuses throughout the New Orleans metropolitan area, the East and West Banks of New Orleans, the East Bank of Jefferson Parish and on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain in Covington and Slidell in St. Tammany Parish...
chef apprentice program, and supporting the National Food Service Institute.
Copeland became a New Orleans icon due to his flamboyant lifestyle, including his eponymous power boat racing teams, extravagant weddings, and his annual Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
light show at his mansion located in an upscale neighborhood in Metairie. Copeland was both admired and disliked by many in New Orleans for his brash style. Upon Copeland's death, New Orleans newspaper columnist Chris Rose, who was often critical of Copeland, noted, "I'm a big fan of over-the-top. A big fan of celebration. A big fan of lust for life. A big fan of Big Fun. Copeland epitomized these things. He was one more guy who put his life on display for all to see, another example of talking too much, living too large and laughing too loud - those New Orleans attributes that sometimes make folks elsewhere a little leery of this place."
Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits
In 1972, Al Copeland founded the Popeyes Chicken & BiscuitsPopeyes Chicken & Biscuits
Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits is a chain of fried chicken fast food restaurants, owned since 1993 by the Sandy Springs, Georgia-based AFC Enterprises, which was originally America's Favorite Chicken Company...
fast food
Fast food
Fast food is the term given to food that can be prepared and served very quickly. While any meal with low preparation time can be considered to be fast food, typically the term refers to food sold in a restaurant or store with preheated or precooked ingredients, and served to the customer in a...
chain in the New Orleans suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of Arabi
Arabi, Louisiana
Arabi is a census-designated place in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana on the East Bank of the Mississippi River, between the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, Louisiana and Chalmette within the Greater New Orleans Metropolitan area...
in St. Bernard Parish
St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana
St. Bernard Parish is a parish located southeast of New Orleans in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Chalmette, the largest city in the parish. As of 2000, its population was 67,229. It has been ranked the fastest-growing county in the United States from 2007 to 2008 by the U.S....
. Copeland began franchising his restaurant in 1976, opening the first franchise restaurant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
. Approximately 500 outlets were added over the next 10 years, followed by 200 more during a period of slower expansion.
In March 1989, Popeyes, then the third-largest chicken chain, purchased Church's Chicken
Church's Chicken
Church's Chicken is a US-based chain of fast food restaurants specializing in fried chicken, also trading outside North America as Texas Chicken. The chain was founded as Church's Fried Chicken To Go by George W. Church, Sr., on April 17, 1952, in San Antonio, across the street from The Alamo...
, the second largest. The parent company, Al Copeland Enterprises, operated the two chains separately. Combined, the company had over 2,000 locations. Criticism of the merger included the resulting presence of competing locations. Efforts were made to close underperforming stores and sell franchises; however, operational improvements could not overcome financial burdens resulting from the merger.
The Church's purchase was heavily financed with the security being the assets of Popeyes and the acquired company. In 1990, Al Copeland Enterprises had $391 million in debts. The debt reached more than $400 million by April 1991 when Copeland filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the company. Creditors had petitioned for involuntary bankruptcy and efforts to have the petition dismissed had failed. In October 1992, the bankruptcy court approved a plan submitted by a group of Copeland's creditors that created America's Favorite Chicken Company, Inc. (aka AFC) AFC served as the new parent company for Popeyes and Church's.
Although Copeland lost Popeyes in the bankruptcy, he retained the rights to some Popeyes recipes and products. He manufactured the spices through his Diversified Foods & Seasonings plants located in Metairie
Metairie, Louisiana
Metairie is a census-designated place in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States and is a major part of the New Orleans Metropolitan Area. Metairie is the largest community in Jefferson Parish. It is an unincorporated area that would be larger than most of the state's cities if it were...
, Madisonville
Madisonville, Louisiana
Madisonville is a town in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 677 at the 2000 census. It is part of the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, Mobile
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
, San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
and Nebraska City
Nebraska City, Nebraska
Nebraska City is a city in Otoe County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 7,228 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Otoe County...
. The Diversified Foods & Seasonings contract with Popeyes extends through 2025.
Annual Christmas display
Copeland became a local celebrity in New Orleans through his annual Christmas light display. Many national media organizations have ranked the display, most notably the Today show, which ranked it in the top three. In the display's heyday, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office provided traffic control, and cars would back-up into surrounding subdivisions. While Copeland's display was the main attraction, surrounding homes also contributed to the atmosphere, and foot-traffic between displays and neighborhood parties was significant. Not all neighbors were pleased with the annual festivities, and in 1983 he was sued by his neighbors to remove the display. In 1991, a judge permitted Copeland to display a scaled-down version of the display. Copeland's display not only had elaborate lights, but he also would usually park his luxurious and exotic cars in front of his driveway. He provided free popcorn, candy, and children's toys during his final years. In 2008, the display was markedly toned down after he died. The annual display at his residence near Lake PontchartrainLake Pontchartrain
Lake Pontchartrain is a brackish estuary located in southeastern Louisiana. It is the second-largest inland saltwater body of water in the United States, after the Great Salt Lake in Utah, and the largest lake in Louisiana. As an estuary, Pontchartrain is not a true lake.It covers an area of with...
will now stop and be moved to a park. New Orleans newspaper columnist Chris Rose, on informing his children of Copeland's passing stated, "I realized it was like telling a kid that Santa Claus was dead."
Public controversies
In 1993, Copeland made an unsuccessful bid for a Louisiana gambling license. The successful bidder, Robert Guidry, later testified that he (Guidry) had bribed then governor Edwin EdwardsEdwin Edwards
Edwin Washington Edwards served as the Governor of Louisiana for four terms , twice as many terms as any other Louisiana chief executive has served. Edwards was also Louisiana's first Roman Catholic governor in the 20th century...
to secure the license. Eight years later, Guidry and Copeland encountered each other at an upscale restaurant in New Orleans, Morton's The Steakhouse. A melee ensued, involving Copeland, Guidry, and Guidry's sons. Witnesses said that Copeland's then wife (who was six months pregnant) was knocked to the ground. Both she and Copeland, who were celebrating their first wedding anniversary, were hospitalized. The Guidry group spent the night in jail.
Copeland had a very public feud with horror novelist Anne Rice
Anne Rice
Anne Rice is a best-selling Southern American author of metaphysical gothic fiction, Christian literature and erotica from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her books have sold nearly 100 million copies, making her one of the most widely read authors in modern history...
in 1997 regarding Copeland's opening of a restaurant in a previously run-down area of New Orleans. Rice placed a full page ad in the February 7 New Orleans Times-Picayune
New Orleans Times-Picayune
The Times-Picayune is a daily newspaper published in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.-History:Established as The Picayune in 1837 by Francis Lumsden and George Wilkins Kendall, the paper's initial price was one picayune—a Spanish coin equivalent to 6¼¢ .Under Eliza Jane Nicholson, who inherited the...
newspaper, calling the restaurant "hideous", "a monstrosity" and "nothing short of an abomination".
Copeland's third marriage ended with significant controversy. The third divorce's original presiding judge, Ronald Bodenheimer
Ronald Bodenheimer
Ronald Bodenheimer was a judge in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, convicted of various federal charges resulting, in part, from an FBI probe called Operation Wrinkled Robe...
, pled guilty to promising a custody deal favorable to Copeland in return for a possible seafood contract and other benefits. Copeland contributed to the Bodenheimer campaign, and, according to Bodenheimer testimony, had personally contacted Bodenheimer regarding the custody matter. Bodenheimer stated that he had been summoned to a home owned by a Copeland business and stated that Copeland told him, "We supported you because you were the kind of guy who would do the right thing. And the right thing is to keep me and Alex together." At the time of his testimony, Bodenheimer was the subject of a significant federal probe. Two Copeland associates, as well as Bodenheimer, went to jail for participating in the conspiracy. Other than the Bodenheimer testimony, Copeland was never personally accused of participating.
Cancer battle
In December 2007, Copeland began treatment for a malignant tumor of the salivary glands, caused by Merkel cell carcinomaMerkel cell cancer
Merkel cell carcinoma Merkel cell carcinoma Merkel cell carcinoma (also known as a "Cutaneous apudoma," "Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin," "Primary small cell carcinoma of the skin," and "Trabecular carcinoma of the skin"...
, a rare form of cancer. Copeland had sought experimental treatments in Germany but died in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
on Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008, aged 64. He was buried in Metairie Cemetery
Metairie Cemetery
Metairie Cemetery is a cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. The name has caused some people to mistakenly presume that the cemetery is located in Metairie, Louisiana, but it is located within the New Orleans city limits, on Metairie Road .-History:This site was previously a horse...
.
Other businesses and investments
Copeland owned several restaurant chains, including Copeland'sCopeland's
Copeland's is a restaurant chain started by New Orleans native Al Copeland in 1983. It offers New Orleans-style cuisine and a casual sit-down family friendly atmosphere. Significantly expanding in 1990s, it claimed more than 40 locations in 12 states and offered a "steakhouse"-style expanded menu...
, Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro, Amor deBrazil, and Copeland's Social City, as well as the Improv
The Improv
The Improv is a comedy club franchise. Originally, it was a single venue founded in 1963 by Budd Friedman and located in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of New York City on West 44th near the SE corner of 9th Ave. A second location was opened in 1974 at 8162 Melrose Avenue in the Fairfax District...
comedy clubs located in California and Pittsburgh, and three hotels. One of the Copeland hotels, The Clarion Grand Boutique Hotel, is ranked as one of the top Choice Hotels in the nation.