Dave Thomas

By matlea
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    Dave Thomas- Wendys

  • Dave Thomas was born

    Dave Thomas was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey on July 2, 1932. Rex and Auleva Thomas adopted him at six weeks old. When Dave was five, Auleva died and his early years were spent moving from state to state while his adoptive father sought work.

  • Dave got his first job which sparked his passion

    Dave got his first job at age 12 as a counterman at a Knoxville restaurant, and fell in love with the restaurant business.

  • He was discharged from the U.S. Army

    He was discharged from the U.S. Army

  • He turned around four KFC restaurants

    In 1962, Dave had a chance to turn around four failing KFC restaurants in Columbus, Ohio owned by his Hobby House boss, Phil Clauss.

  • Wendys Founded

    Wendy's was founded by Dave Thomas on November 15, 1969

  • Dave earned the Horatio Alger Award

    His “rags-to-riches” success story earned him the Horatio Alger Award. It was presented to him in 1979 by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, a man he greatly admired.

  • Resigned from day to day tasks for Wendys

    In 1982, Thomas resigned from his day-to-day operations at Wendy’s.

  • Dave took on the role as TV spokesman

    In 1989, he took on a significant role as the TV spokesman in a series of commercials for the brand.

  • Dave was asked by President Bush to head the White House Initiative on Adoption

    In 1990, President Bush asked Dave to head the White House Initiative on Adoption.

  • Dave published an autobiography

    He shared his experiences and knowledge he gained in his autobiography, Dave’s Way, published in 1991.

  • The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption was established

    In 1992, he established the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

  • He earned a GED

    Since he dropped out of high school he finished it later in life.

  • Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame

    Thomas was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 1999

  • Created the Adoption Stamp

    Dave, an adoptee, had long been an advocate for adoption and led the initiative to create the Adoption stamp which was issued on May 10, 2000.

  • Dave Thomas Died

    He Died with liver Cancer

  • Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

    Thomas was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003.

  • Original Wendys closed

    His original restaurant would remain operational until March 2, 2007, when it was closed due to lagging sales.