Dave Thomas was an American businessman who founded “Wendy’s” fast-food restaurants. He amassed great wealth, but gave back generously through his philanthropic initiatives. Thomas was posthumously awarded one of America’s greatest civilian honors, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 2003.
Dave Thomas was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1932. He never knew his mother’s identity; as a young, unmarried woman she put him up for adoption. At six weeks old, Rex and Auleva Thomas adopted the baby boy. His adoptive mother died when Thomas was only five. His father then began to travel the Midwest in search of work. The rock in the young boy’s life became his grandmother, Minnie, who lived in Michigan. It was from her that Thomas learned the values of respecting and treating others well, and the value of service in one’s life.
Thomas began working jobs when only 12 years old. His first job at the Regas Restaurant, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, ended abruptly when his boss fired him after a dispute. Years later an autographed picture of Thomas would adorn the restaurant’s entrance. The industrious Thomas vowed to never lose another job.
In 1950 Dave Thomas joined the U.S. Army. Rising to the rank of Mess Sergeant, he was stationed in Germany where he ran a kitchen that fed over 2,000 soldiers daily. After this, Thomas was recruited by Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder Kentucky Fried Chicken. Fully-devoted to his work, he rose in the ranks. When four of the franchise stores were failing, Thomas was put in charge of trying to save them. Besides turning them around, Thomas conceived of the signature red and white, KFC “bucket.”
In November of 1969, Thomas began his own hamburger restaurant chain. Named for his daughter, Melinda’s mispronunciation of her own name, “Wendy’s” would go on to be the welcoming brand that millions patronize every day.
Dave Thomas chose to appear in his own commercials for his Wendy’s chain. Initially coming across as a hard-working but not very comfortable-on-camera entrepreneur, it was suggested he try a different approach. The friendly, wry-humored image became a favorite of viewers and contributed to customers enjoyment of the entire Wendy’s dining experience.
With the success of Wendy’s, Thomas was determined not to be only a recipient of good fortune. His “Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption” provides the education and the tools for bringing children and adoptive parents together. The Foundation was awarded the Shining Star Award by the Congressional Quarterly. As Dave Thomas’ legacy of caring for and creating new families, the Foundation continues to thrive throughout the U.S. and Canada.