CEO & Chairman
Al Copeland Investments (ACI)

Al Copeland Jr., Business Development Director

Al Copeland, Jr. is the CEO and Chairman of the Board of Al Copeland Investments (ACI), a privately owned, multi-faceted management company, which operates the Al Copeland Family of Restaurants; Diversified Foods & Seasonings, a custom manufacturing operation serving over 10,000 locations with its custom dry blends and kettle-cooked products; a hotel division in the metro New Orleans area; and a new venture that converted the Copeland Tower Suites hotel into Copeland Tower Living, a thriving, active adult living community in Metairie, LA. He is also a franchisee and owner of Copeland’s of New Orleans in Kenner, LA (since 2007) and in Houma, LA (since 2011), and a former owner of three Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen locations (1988-2021). In addition, he serves as trustee to the Copeland Family Trust and president of the Al Copeland Foundation.

Embracing the entrepreneurial spirit, driving ambition, and passion for food he acquired from his Copeland and LeCompte family heritage, Al began his career in the hospitality industry as an assistant manager of Popeyes Chicken, a company founded in 1972 by his late father, Al Copeland. For over 40 years, with his dad as a mentor for many of those years, Al has excelled as a business owner, staunch philanthropist, and industry innovator. He is recognized as a marker for success in business and philanthropy.

As president of the Al Copeland Foundation (ACF), Al oversaw the launch of the Copeland/LSU Health Sciences Center Partnership in Cancer, Viruses, and Immunotherapy to support local cancer research, education, and patient programs. Through this partnership, thousands have participated in the growing number of clinical trials becoming available, with more and more positive, as well as cancer free results, being recorded. These ground-breaking treatments are saving lives and fulfilling a promise made to Al’s dad to find a cure. The Al Copeland Foundation was founded upon this wish and is now changing the course of cancer. Additionally, Al has formed the Al Copeland Foundation LSU Health Science Center Cancer Partnership Network and the Al Copeland Foundation LSU Health Virtual Nurse Program, committing $2 million over the 10-year terms, as well as establishing the Children’s Hospital ACF Patient Assistance Fund.

Al’s generosity and his love for family tradition and the local community are demonstrated through countless donations and support provided to schools, churches, non-profits, parks, playgrounds, Louisiana disaster victims and hospitals. The Copeland family made the largest real estate donation in the history of LSU Health New Orleans and the LSU Health Foundation. The donation most deeply rooted in Copeland family tradition in Jefferson Parish, the last parish of residence for his dad, are the Al Copeland Christmas Lights display and the Al Copeland Concert Meadows stage in Lafreniere Park. He and his family still enjoy gathering together to “flip the switch” for the Christmas lights each year, just as they did with their dad. To further honor family traditions and his dad’s legacy, Al spearheaded Secrets of a Tastemaker, and launched its release in 2022. A cookbook and biography highlighting the life of Al Copeland, that also releases proprietary recipes and spices.

In 2019, Al received the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation’s Drago Cvitanovich Award for Outstanding Philanthropy by an Entrepreneur for the significant impact he has made on the lives of others. He was named an Ella Brennan “Stand Up for Your Hometown” Award winner in 2021 for his unwavering love and extraordinary response to support the New Orleans community during the pandemic. The American Cancer Society honored him at the Belles & Beaus Ball in 2021 for his significant contributions to the fight against cancer. Al is a member of the Board of Directors of the LSU Health Foundation and also serves as a board trustee for CAGLA, the Cancer Advocacy Group of Louisiana.

Al and his wife of 40 years, Elizabeth Trentadue Copeland, have five daughters and nine grandchildren. In his free time, he enjoys racing cars, primarily through his lifetime membership at Nola Motorsports Park.