Wendy's

Year

1969

By

Dave Thomas

Company

Wendy's

Place

Columbus, Franklin County ZIP 43215 · Columbus · Franklin County

In the late 1960s fast food was dominated by a few big chains. Dave Thomas, who had worked in restaurants for years, wanted to open a burger place of his own in Columbus, Ohio.

He opened the first Wendy's on November 15, 1969, and named it after his fourth child, Melinda Lou, called Wendy. Thomas later said he regretted the choice because she lost some of her privacy. His burgers were inspired by Kewpee Hamburgers of Kalamazoo, Michigan. The square patties on round buns became the sign of the chain, and basketball star John Havlicek was among the earliest investors.

The chain grew by franchising, and the first franchisee agreement was signed in August 1972. The Frosty, a frozen dessert mixed from chocolate and vanilla ice cream so thick it needs a spoon, became a signature item.

Thomas appeared in the company's ads until his death in 2002. The first restaurant in Columbus closed in 2007 after 38 years, and the corporate headquarters moved to Dublin, Ohio in 2006.

• 1969-11-15: Dave Thomas opens the first Wendy's. (Columbus, OH) source
• 1972-08: The first franchisee agreement is signed. source
• 2002: Dave Thomas dies. source
• 2006: Wendy's headquarters moves to Dublin, Ohio. (Dublin, OH) source
• 2007: The original Columbus restaurant closes after 38 years. (Columbus, OH) source

• Franchising spread the chain from one Columbus restaurant.
• The original restaurant ran 38 years.

Fast-food chain.

• Wikipedia: Wendy's

• Wikipedia: Wendy's