![]() ![]() 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. Creditors had petitioned for involuntary bankruptcy and efforts to have the petition dismissed had failed. The debt reached more than $400 million by April 1991 when Copeland filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the company. In 1990, Al Copeland Enterprises had $391 million in debts. The Church's purchase was heavily financed with the security being the assets of Popeyes and the acquired company. Efforts were made to close under-performing stores and sell franchises however, operational improvements could not overcome financial burdens resulting from the merger. Criticism of the merger included the resulting presence of competing locations. Combined, the company had over 2,000 locations. The parent company, Al Copeland Enterprises, operated both chains separately. In March 1989, Popeyes, then the third-largest chicken chain, purchased Church's Chicken, the second largest. ![]() Approximately 500 outlets were added over the next 10 years, followed by 200 more during a period of slower expansion. Copeland began franchising his restaurant in 1976, opening the first franchise restaurant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 1972, Al Copeland founded the Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits fast food chain in the New Orleans suburb of Arabi in St. 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 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. Copeland was both admired and disliked by many in New Orleans for his brash style. Ĭopeland 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. His eldest son, Al Copeland Jr., became the CEO of Al Copeland Investments, of which he is also the chairman, in 2003. He had nine children – five sons and four daughters – by four wives. 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. While Copeland never completed high school, he used his wealth to benefit education programs, including establishing the Alvin C. This experience exposed him to the restaurant business and franchising. At 18, Copeland sold his car to purchase one doughnut location from his brother. Copeland did not complete high school, having left at 16, and worked at Schwegmann Brothers Giant Supermarkets store in Gentilly as a soda jerk and then for Tastee Donut, a doughnut chain partially owned by his brother, Gil. Copeland's father left the family shortly after Alvin ("Al"), the youngest of three sons, was born. He was also a successful restaurateur who created many successful upscale restaurants.īorn in New Orleans, Louisiana, Copeland had a humble beginning with his family living at one point in the St. The employee came out with his phone to get a shot of her license plate and Jenkins was waving a gun around, knocked the phone out of the employee’s hand, and smashed it against a wall.Alvin Charles Copeland (Febru– March 23, 2008) was an American entrepreneur who founded the Popeyes fast food chain. When she was told she would have to buy new biscuits because she did not have a receipt, reports said she became irate and refused to leave. The employee told her she needed a receipt to get new ones, and Jenkins did not have a receipt. Reports said an employee who works in the drive-through told police Jenkins was upset some biscuits she bought earlier were burnt and she wanted new ones. When officers arrived they blocked in Jenkins’ car which was in the drive-through and found a holstered gun on her front seat that was later to be found to be a loaded 9mm semiautomatic handgun, for a report of a fight with a gun at the Popeye’s Louisiana Chicken, 40 West Midlothian Boulevard. Reports said Jenkins was cited after officers were called about 8:40 p.m. YPD detectives trying to find out why homicide victim was in woman’s home ![]()
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