Copeland's plans growth push under Thimm

NEW ORLEANS Al Copeland Investments Inc. is ramping up a franchising push for Copeland’s of New Orleans and its other casual-dining concepts under the new leadership of Fred Thimm.

Thimm, previously president of Martini Park of Bethesda, Md., and a former president of the Palm Management Group of Washington, D.C., was named president and chief executive of Copeland’s restaurant division in June. The company operates or franchises 24 Copeland’s units, six Copeland’s