Evan Carmichael Top Header about About About facebook Twitter YouTube Google+

Open For Business: Wendy’s Takes Off

Dave Thomas Quote


Staff post about: Dave Thomas
Become an Author

Free PDF Download
Dave Thomas Quotes - By Dave Thomas

Name: Email:


In early 1969, Thomas was sitting in the steam room of the Columbus Athletic Club with his friend Len Immke, sharing with him his restaurant ideas. After finding the Club’s dining room closed, Immke commented on how difficult it was to find a good lunch downtown and suggested that Thomas open his own restaurant in one of Immke’s buildings. On November 15, 1969, Thomas did just that and opened the first Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers in Columbus, Ohio to a packed grand opening.

Thomas had tried all five of his children’s names for the restaurant, but decided on his daughter Melinda Lou’s nickname – Wendy. With a menu of juicy hamburgers, meaty chili, French fries, soft drinks and a frosty dairy dessert, Thomas’ restaurant was a hit. It was so successful that in 1973, Thomas began to franchise his idea. In the first 100 months of the company’s existence, over 1,000 restaurants popped up across the country. Thomas’ vision of an old-fashioned, homey place for families to enjoy fresh hamburgers together had finally been realized.

In 1989, Wendy’s marketing executives initiated the Dave Thomas Campaign, which would soon propel the company even farther ahead. Because of his honesty and down-to-earth style, Thomas was chosen as the face to use for promotions. After all, who else could speak more passionately about the restaurant than its founder? After he starred in a few television commercials, there was no looking back. Appearing alongside such celebrities as Kristi Yamaguchi and Susan Lucci, Thomas was a hit. Advertising critics and consumers alike loved the ads and restaurant sales promptly increased.

Despite his success, Thomas was plagued with the fact that he had never received his high school degree. He would speak to high school students and corporate executives alike but all the while was ashamed of never having graduated. “We have 4,000 restaurants today, but if I had gotten my high-school diploma, we might have 8,000,” Thomas would say. And so, at the age of 60, Thomas went back to school. He hired a tutor and earned his high-school equivalency certificate from Coconut Creek High School in Ft. Lauderdale. He was also voted “Most Likely to Succeed” by his classmates and was named Prom King and Queen, along with his wife, Lorraine.

As Dave’s success and fame continued to skyrocket, he began to feel the need to contribute back to society. He wrote an autobiography, entitled Dave’s Way, to “tell people about my mistakes and what they should avoid.” He also published a book on success called Well Done! and the business book, Franchising for Dummies. Proceeds from all of his books were then directed to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, a non-profit organization he established in 1992 to raise awareness about adoption and make it easier and affordable.

Thomas died in 2002 after a decade-long battle with liver cancer, but his legacy lives on in the form of his business and his philanthropy. Today, over 6,600 Wendy’s restaurants worldwide continue to prosper and embody the values of their founder.


Related Articles

  Italy vs Holland
  The Art of Changing Your Subconscious Mind: How to Ask The Right Creation Question
  The Art of Receiving Clarity: How to Ask The Right Creation Question
  Why are Franchises so Successful?
  Why are Franchises so Successful?
  How To Plan Your E-Mail Resend
  Prospecting Is Not the Problem
  The Buzzard, The Bat & The Bumblebee
  Tip on Better QuickBooks Performance
  Build It and They Willl Come?
  The Seven-step Path to Sustaining Success
  The Questions You Ask
  CONFIDENT NETWORKING - how to talk to anyone, anywhere at any time
  Ask Open Ended Questions
  Follow the 3 Cs to achieve long term goals
  LEAD FROM FRONT
  Fear of Anger - Yours and Others
  Build Your Boats Before You Need Them
  Are You Ready?
  Employee Success 7 Ways Feedback Works

Home > Famous-Entrepreneurs > Dave Thomas > Open For Business Wendys Takes Off >

Free PDF Download
Dave Thomas Quotes - By Dave Thomas

Name: Email:


Related Forum Posts

My entry My entry
Building credit Building credit
Re: What are your September goals? Re: What are your September goals?
Dropping out of school Dropping out of school
Patent Walk-Through Patent Walk-Through

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.

Share this post and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.
Share for a Cause
Like this page? PLEASE +1 it! Evan Signature
Bottom Footer



Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.