Showmars
Showmars is a Charlotte, North Carolina–based restaurant chain, serving a mix of American and Greek cuisines. It was founded by George Couchell in 1982. As of February 2024, Showmars operates 31 locations and employs over 1,000 employees.
Company history
Founding
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.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.