The Story of Wendy's Founder Dave Thomas
Wendy’s Founder Dave Thomas was born in New Jersey in 1932 and died in January 2002. Read his biography and the story of his legacy – from founding the first Wendy’s in Ohio in 1969 to establishing the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.
DAVE'S LEGACY
PART ONE
The Early Years
When he was eight years old, Dave Thomas dreamed he'd run the best restaurant in the world. He didn't just achieve his dream, he shared it with everyone. Dave loved two things above all else: food and people. That's why he started Wendy's. He believed in a place where you get great food, made fresh, served by nice people. At Wendy’s, we do our best to carry on that simple idea, every day. Our name is Wendy's, but we will always be Dave's Place.
PART TWO
Dave in the Military, Family-Life and his introduction to the Restaurant Business
All great leaders must start somewhere, and for Dave, that was a family restaurant in Knoxville. Hard work and a little initiative were all it took to create a reputation of someone who wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty.
PART FOUR
A Champion for Children in Foster Care
Dave gave generously with his time, money and energy. He strongly believed in giving back to communities that support the Wendy’s business. While Dave's popularity helped sell hamburgers, he also used it to bring attention to causes and issues that were important to him, like foster care adoption.
PART FIVE
Dave’s Passion for Education and Time in the Limelight
Wendy’s television commercials gave Dave a presence in millions of homes, and he used his celebrity status to help people. For 12 years, he actively campaigned to make sure kids in foster care who needed a family found permanent, loving homes. By practicing what he preached, Dave created a lasting legacy.
