We'll always do it Dave's way.


When he was eight years old, Dave Thomas dreamed he'd run the best restaurant in the world. He didn't just achieve his dream, he shared it with everyone.

Dave loved two things above all else, food and people. That's why he started Wendy's. He believed in a place where you get great food, made fresh, served by nice people. At all our restaurants we do our best to carry on that simple idea, every day. It's his legacy. Our name is Wendy's, but we will always be Dave's place. Learn about the legacy and see how you can keep it alive.As a young boy, Dave and his adoptive father moved around a lot. It was a lonely life, but eating in restaurants gave him comfort and showed him what family life was really like. In his adoptive family, Dave was closest to his grandmother and cherished the time he spent with her and the lessons she taught him. Overcoming the challenges and hardships of his childhood and setting goals for his future drove him toward success.Clauss offered Dave a chance to revive his four failing Kentucky Fried Chicken carryouts in Columbus, Ohio. Against even the Colonel's advice, Dave took the challenge and succeeded. He trimmed the menu and used creative promotions - swapping chicken for radio time and making an illuminated sign that looked like a rotating bucket of chicken. Clauss later sold the carryouts, making Dave a millionaire and launch his career in hamburgers.



“I don’t consider myself a great leader, but if I really thought about it, I’d say I’ve followed my own advice. I do what I say I’m going to do. I’ve been lucky over the years to have a great team of people to work with. I learned from my mentors that if you say you’re going to do something, do it. When people believe in you and you treat them with respect, they’ll follow you.”

Dave shared his experiences and insight into achieving his dreams in his autobiography, Dave's Way. As he put it, "It also tells people about my mistakes and what they should avoid. It's important to learn from your mistakes and I hope people can learn from mine." Dave also published a book on success called Well Done!, and the business book Franchising for Dummies. Proceeds from all books went to Dave's adoption foundation.