Wendy s Establishment:
Founded in 1969 by Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio, Wendy s is now the third-largest fast-food burger chain globally, offering more than five decades of service.
The Real Wendy:
The restaurant's namesake, Wendy, is actually Dave Thomas's daughter, Melinda Lou "Wendy" Thomas-Morse, who remains involved in the business, owning multiple Wendy s locations.
Early KFC Support:
Dave Thomas, before founding Wendy s, advised Col. Harland Sanders of KFC, offering valuable insights that helped shape the brand.
John Havlicek s Investment:
The late John Havlicek, renowned for his basketball career, was an early investor in Wendy s, owning three locations and leveraging the earnings to retire a millionaire.
Drive-Thru Innovation:
While not the first, Wendy s pioneered drive-thru windows at all its locations, introducing the concept in 1971.
Initial Menu Offerings:
Wendy s started with just five menu items in 1969, including hamburgers, fries, chili, soft drinks, and the iconic Frosty dessert.
Square Patty Strategy:
Founder Dave Thomas implemented square patties to emphasize burger size and quality, inspired by his childhood memories of Kewpee Hamburgers in Michigan.
Chocolate Frosty Composition:
Every chocolate Frosty contains vanilla ice cream, contributing to its balanced flavor profile.