Showmars

GPS Air

Company type| Private
Industry| Restaurant
Genre| Restaurant chain
Founded| 1982 (1982)
Founder| George Couchell
Headquarters|

Charlotte, North Carolina

U.S.

Showmars is a Charlotte, North Carolina–based restaurant chain, serving a mix of American and Greek cuisines. It was founded by George Couchell (pronounced "coo-shell") in 1982. As of February 2024, Showmars operates 31 locations[1] and employs over 1,000 employees.

## Company history

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### Founding

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George Couchell, founder of Showmars, was a first-generation Greek immigrant, a graduate of Duke University and served as an officer in the United States Navy. He started in the restaurant industry working at Johnny's Grill, a Charlotte-area restaurant owned by his parents. Couchell opened a fried chicken restaurant, Mr. C's, in 1968 in Charlotte and opened the first Showmars in 1982 in Monroe. The chain was named after a Mr. C's employee named Showmar.[2]

Most Showmars stores are in the Charlotte metro area but the chain has expanded as far south as Lexington and north to the Research Triangle.[3]

## See also

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* List of Greek restaurants

## References

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1. ^ "Showmars Locations".
2. ^ Gross Klaff, Leslie (2001-05-21). "APPETITE FOR SUCCESS GEORGE COUCHELL BUILT SHOWMARS BY STICKING TO 3 KEY INGREDIENTS". The Charlotte Observer.
3. ^ Peralta, Katherine (2018-07-11). "Popular Charlotte-based chain Showmars to expand to Triangle". The Charlotte Observer.

* Dan L. Morrill (2001). Historic Charlotte. Historical Publishing Network. pp. 148–149\. ISBN 978-1-893619-20-3.

## External links

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* Official website