Elias Demetrios Papanikolaou, (May 30, 1930 – April 11, 2023) more commonly known as Lou Pappan was a Greek personality and restaurant owner who owned the restaurant chain, Pappan's Family Restaurants.[1][2][3] He has been described as a Beaver County icon.[4]
Information edit
Pappan was born in Makrakomi, Phthiotis, Greece in 1930.[5] His father owned a restaurant in Makrakomi, where he and his family worked and learned to cook.[6][7] His village was affected by World War II combat[2] and he often relied on air-lifted food from American aircraft.[4] He immigrated to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania on June 7, 1951[7] and did not know English.[5] He worked at his uncle's neighborhood bar and later joined the U.S. Army where he served in the 101st Airborne Division during the Korean War.[2][4] He changed his surname to Pappan due to pronunciation issues, with an Army sergeant calling him, "The Alphabet".[4][7]
Pappan got married in 1960 and bought a restaurant in 1961. In 1964, he opened the first Pappan's Family Restaurant location.[8] The restaurant became known for its fried chicken radio and television commercials which featured Pappan saying his famous phrases, "Chicken, Chicken, Chicken!" and "you gonna like it".[9][2][4][5] Pappan had over 30 Pappan Family Restaurant locations at his peak and Pappan also owned 20 Roy Rogers restaurants.[4][3] Pappan often gave children at restaurants silver dollars, handing out over $22,000 worth of silver dollars to patrons in 1989.[2] Pappan also was involved in real estate.[2]
Pappan's Family Restaurants filed for bankruptcy in 2007.[10] Pappan retired in the 2010s and passed away on April 11, 2023, at the age of 92.[5][11][12]
References edit
- ^ Klein, Hal (2023), Celebrated Beaver County restaurateur Lou Pappan dies at 92, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, retrieved 12 April 2023
- ^ a b c d e f Rishell, Grace (1989), 'Uncle Lou' seeing that customers gonna like it, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, retrieved 12 April 2023
- ^ a b Popular Pappan's Restaurant founder dies at 92, Audacy, 2023, retrieved 12 April 2023
- ^ a b c d e f Tady, Scott (2023), "Lou Pappan, beloved restaurant founder and Beaver County icon, dies", The Times, retrieved 12 April 2023
- ^ a b c d Maruca, Julia (2023), Lou Pappan, Beaver County restaurant founder, dead at 92, Trib Live, retrieved 12 April 2023
- ^ Dressler, Catherine (1988), Immigrant's Picnic Is Gesture of Thanks, The Buffalo News, retrieved 12 April 2023
- ^ a b c Donohue, Paul G. (1986), Success on menu for Greek, Latrobe Bulletin, retrieved 12 April 2023
- ^ Dressler, Cathrine (1988), Greek Immigrant Feeds Thousands To Say Thanks, AP News, retrieved 12 April 2023
- ^ Papale, Rena (1986), Success on menu for Greek immigrant, Baraboo News Republic, retrieved 12 April 2023
- ^ Calkins, Kristen (2007), Pappan's files for bankruptcy, Ellwood City Ledger, retrieved 12 April 2023
- ^ Lou Pappan, founder of Pappan's Family Restaurant chain, dies at age of 92, CBS News Pittsburgh, 2023, retrieved 12 April 2023
- ^ Matoney, Nick (2023), Remembering Lou Pappan: Pittsburgh restaurant founder leaves legacy across the region, WTAE, retrieved 12 April 2023