Al Copeland, the founder of Popeyes chicken died today in Germany where he had traveled for treatment for cancer. Copelands no longer owned Popeyes, having lost it in bankruptcy shortly after he had purchased Churchs chicken. He still owned the rights for the Popeyes seasoning which kept him a wealthy man.I've actually had a few almost encounters with the man. When I worked for Service Merchandise his wife would shop at the Metairie store. I remember they were getting ready to open a new restaruant (I can't remember the name, but I think it was one that didn't make it long) and she was in the store looking for patio furniture that they could use. She brought some of her employees with her and I just remember her as being very take charge, waving them to do this and do that. (I'm also not sure what number wife this was.)
Later he was at the same location buying an engagement ring for whichever new wife was coming up. I remember the conversation being he wanted one for a $100,000 but we didn't have the stone big enough at the store level, we'd have to send out for it, and he decided he didn't want to wait, so he went elsewhere.
Popeyes was not named for the comic strip character, but after the character from the movie "The French Connection." The first chicken store he opened was called Chicken on the Go before he renamed it Popeyes.
Copeland was a strong presence in New Orleans. His Christmas lights were visited by thousands every year. People either loved him or hated him, but one thing is for certain, he will be missed.
3 comments:
I always assumed it was named after the cartoon.
Some regarded this guy derisively as new rich white trash. Some are born on third base and think they hit a triple. This guy hit his own stand-up triple -- H/S dropout and for a time lived in the projects.
From the Times Picayune article - "After six months, Chicken on the Run was still losing money. In a last-ditch effort, Copeland chose a spicier Louisiana Cajun-style recipe and reopened the restaurant as Popeyes. In its third week of operation, Copeland's revived chicken restaurant broke the profit barrier."
Interesting what a small change can make in one's destiny.
Anndi, I too thought the chain was named after the cartoon character, since later they would have commericals using the Popeye cartoon.
Post a Comment