In 1969, Dave Thomas founded Wendy’s in Columbus, Ohio. The restaurant was named after his daughter Melinda “Wendy” Thomas. Dave Thomas developed the Wendy’s “Old-Fashioned Hamburgers” concept, which was a departure from the then-standard fast-food hamburger.
Wendy’s signature item, the square-shaped hamburger patty, was inspired by Dave’s visit to Kewpee Hamburgers in Lima, Ohio. The Kewpee served square hamburgers and thick malt milkshakes, which greatly appealed to Dave. As a result, square hamburgers and thick milkshakes became central to the Wendy’s menu.
In 1972, the first Wendy’s franchise opened in Indianapolis. The redheaded girl in the original Wendy’s logo was modeled after a sketch of Dave Thomas’ daughter, Melinda “Wendy” Thomas. The girl in the current logo is based on an updated version of that original sketch.
The story behind Wendy’s logo is one of a father’s love for his daughter. Dave Thomas named the restaurant after his daughter Melinda “Wendy” Thomas.
The original logo was modeled after a sketch of Dave’s daughter and the current logo is based on an updated version of that sketch. The redheaded girl in the Wendy’s logo has become an iconic symbol of the restaurant and its family-friendly values.
