Covelli Hailed as ‘Business Icon,’ Community Leader
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Albert Covelli was hailed as a “devoted family man, decorated military veteran, business icon, civic leader and community philanthropist” in statement Monday by the company he founded.
Covelli, who founded Warren-based Covelli Enterprises, died May 3 at age 94, surrounded by family, according to the company.
Born in Kenosha, Wis., Covelli launched his business career by opening an open-air market there, which soon expanded to three locations. He later founded a produce company and added a distributorship for frozen foods and dairy products. In 1959, he and his wife, along with their two children, Annette and Sam, who today is CEO of Covelli Enterprises, moved to Warren to open the first of many McDonald’s restaurants. In the nearly 40 years that followed, Covelli Enterprises became the fast-food giant’s largest franchisee, with 50 units in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
In 1997, Al and Sam Covelli sold their interest in McDonald’s and began operating Panera Bread franchises. Covelli Enterprises has since become Panera’s largest franchisee with more than 250 locations in the United States and Canada, and the company employs more than 25,000 people, including more than 2,000 locally. The company, now the fourth largest franchisee in the United States, has since added O’Charley’s and, more recently, Dairy Queen restaurants to its holdings.
Covelli received “numerous awards and honors from business groups across the country,” including his recent induction into Central Florida’s Hospitality Hall of Fame and presentation of the first-ever Pioneer Award by Panera Bread.
Over the years, Covelli donated millions of dollars to hundreds of charitable organizations.
“Fueled by his love for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was especially fond of charities focused on improving the lives of young people. He started the company’s commitment to the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program,” according to the company statement. “For the past 25 years Covelli Enterprises has been the largest local sponsor of the program donating in excess of $500,000.”
An active member at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Warren, where he “gave both of his time and treasure for the betterment of the church and diocese,” he also contributed to John F. Kennedy High School and to the University of Notre Dame through the Sorin Society, which provides help to deserving students in need to be able to afford attending Notre Dame.
Covelli also served on numerous local boards including the boards of banks, hospitals, universities, and nonprofit organizations. He was instrumental in helping to start the Ronald McDonald House and served on boards for St. Joseph Hospital Board, Second National Bank and Warren Chamber of Commerce, among others.
U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-13 Ohio, in a separate statemen issued by his office, expressed sorrow at the passing of his "friend," and extended his condolences to the Covelli family. “Albert Covelli was a pillar in this community -- one of the giants of the city of Warren, and a great and generous benefactor of John F. Kennedy High School and his beloved church, Blessed Sacrament Parish,” he said. “Mr. Covelli was involved in many other worthy endeavors known by few and for which he sought no credit.”
Covelli, Ryan added, “lived the American dream and is a reminder that one man can make a difference. He started his business from scratch and built an empire. He is an example to the rest of us that hard work and determination can change a community for the better.”
Copyright 2014 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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