Wendy’s is an American international fast food restaurant chain founded by Dave Thomas on November 15, 1969, in Columbus, Ohio. The company moved its headquarters to Dublin, Ohio, on January 29, 2006. As of December 31, 2018, Wendy’s was the world’s third-largest hamburger fast-food chain with 6,711 locations, following Burger King and McDonald’s. On April 24, 2008, the company announced a merger with Triarc Companies Inc., a publicly traded company and the parent company of Arby’s.
Despite the new ownership, Wendy’s headquarters remained in Dublin. Following the merger, Triarc became known as Wendy’s/Arby’s Group, and later as The Wendy’s Company.
As of December 31, 2018, there were a total of 6,711 Wendy’s restaurants in operation worldwide; 2,300 of these restaurants were company-operated while 4,411 were franchised. 1
The name “Wendy” was derived from Melton’s daughter’s name. According to Thomas’ autobiography (co-written with Ken Baker), he chose the name “Wendy” because it was “friendly”, “memorable”, and “unusual”, and because he thought his daughter would like it.
In Canada and the United States locations operated by Canadian food service company Mercer Foods were branded as Mercedez Grill before being converted to Wendy’s.
In May 2019, it was announced that Thomas’ granddaughter Abigail would become the chain’s fourth spokesperson since its foundation 50 years earlier.
Why are Wendy’s burgers called Dave?
The answer is simple: because that was the founder’s name! Dave Thomas started the restaurant chain back in 1969, and it has since grown into a global franchise.
The original restaurant was called ‘Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers’, named after Thomas’ daughter Wendy. However, over time the ‘Old Fashioned’ part was dropped and it simply became ‘Wendy’s’. So there you have it – that’s why Wendy’s burgers are called Dave!
