Percy Creuzot facts for kids
Percy Pennington "Frenchy" Creuzot Jr. (born May 28, 1924 – died June 6, 2010) was a famous restaurant owner. He started Frenchy's Chicken in Houston, Texas. Because he was so successful, people called him "the black Colonel Sanders."
His Life and Business Journey
Percy Creuzot Jr. was born in New Orleans on May 28, 1924. His father, Dr. Percy P. Creuzot Sr., was a doctor. Percy Jr. served in the United States Navy during World War II. He left the Navy with an honorable discharge in 1946.
In 1949, he finished his studies at Hampton Institute, which is now called Hampton University. In the 1950s, he worked as an insurance agent. Creuzot said he wasn't making much money selling insurance. So, he decided to move to Houston.
Percy arrived in Houston in 1965. At first, he wanted to start a business selling Louisiana-style sausages. But he found out it would cost a lot more than he thought. This was because Texas and federal rules for such businesses had become stricter.
He got a job as a salesperson for Herff-Jones Jewelry. This company made supplies for high school graduations. He sold items to black high schools in Houston. On the side, he also sold New Orleans-style sno-balls.
Later, when schools became desegregated, the company cut down on staff. Percy lost his job. He then found a new job at the Texas Workforce Commission. But he felt it didn't pay enough for him to "live a little better."
So, in 1969, Creuzot opened Frenchy's restaurant. Before the restaurant opened, people didn't call him "Frenchy." He got the nickname "Frenchy" because everyone connected the restaurant's name with him.
By 1985, Creuzot had bought property in Galveston. He passed away on Sunday, June 6, 2010, at 86 years old, after having a stroke. His funeral was at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church. He was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Houston.
Helping Others and Other Work
Percy Creuzot always supported Texas Southern University (TSU). The Governor of Texas, Bill Clements, chose Creuzot to be on the university's board of regents. He later became the vice chair and served for twelve years.
He also worked on the board of directors for Catholic Charities. He was a member of restaurant groups in Houston, Texas, and across the country. He was also part of the Houston Citizens Review Board.
In 1986, Houston's Mayor Kathy Whitmire asked Creuzot to join her "Visions for Houston" panel. He was one of 16 members.
Creuzot was connected with the Greater Houston Visitors & Convention Center. He was also a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He belonged to the Knights of St. Peter Claver and the fraternities Alpha Phi Alpha and Sigma Pi Phi.
He gave money to many places. These included Hampton University, TSU, the NAACP, the United Negro College Fund, University of Houston, and Xavier University.
His Family Life
Percy Creuzot married Sallie Coleman in 1947. They had three children: Percy III, Angele, and John C. Percy III later became the owner of the first Frenchy's restaurant. For a while, Angele ran a Frenchy's in Neartown. John C. Creuzot became a state district judge. In 1994, John lived in Third Ward.
Percy Creuzot also had three sisters: Alexa Delahoussaye, Hortense Turner, and Martina Cox. When he passed away, his sister Martina, his wife, and his children were still alive.
See also
- History of African Americans in Houston
- Jim Goode, a restaurant owner who started Goode Company
- Ninfa Laurenzo, a Mexican-American restaurant owner who started Ninfa's
- Felix Tijerina, a restaurant owner who started Felix's
- Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church (a Louisiana Creole Church in Houston)
