Alvin Charles Copeland was born in New Orleans, Louisiana back in 1944. His father left shortly after his birth causing the family to live at the St. Thomas Public Housing Project. He did not finish high school leaving at 16 to help support the family. Working first for Schwegmann’s Super Market in Gentilly as a soda jerk. When he was 18 he sold his car to purchase a doughnut location.
That purchase taught him the restaurant business and franchising. In 1972, Alvin started a fast food chain in the New Orleans suburb of Arabi in St. Bernard Parish. He began franchising his restaurants in 1976. In 1989, his franchise business was the third-largest chain.
What you may not know about Alvin Charles “Al” Copeland is that franchise he started in 1972 was Popeye’s Chicken. There is one about 2 blocks from my office. I do like their green beans as a side when I purchase the tasty chicken. He died in 2008 at 64.
Your day is worthwhile when you make someone smile, so give the free gift of a smile today
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