Dave Thomas
By Terrance Benton
Personal Information
Full name: Rex David Thomas
Place of Birth: Atlantic city, New Jersey
Date of Birth: July 2, 1932
Date of Death: January 8, 2002
Education
Dropped out of school in 10th grade.
After his franchise was very popular he hired a tutor and passed the G.E.D high school equicalency exam.
Early family and work history
He was adopted as a baby, but lost his mother when he was 5. the closest relationship he had was with his grandmother, with whom he spent his summers. She taught him many things that he used in Wendy's like don't cut corners. As you know this is a very popular kind of burger for Wendy's. When his family moved to Fort Wayne he started working at the age of 15. When his family decided to move again he refused to leave and then dropped out of school in the 10th grade and going to work full time.
Coming back from the war
Thomas served in the Army during the Korean war as the manager of an enlisted-men's club. When he returned to Fort Wayne he found his former boss, Phil Clauss. Clauss owned some of the first franchises of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Clauss offered Thomas the opportunity to move and turn around the restaurants that were failing. Thomas accepted the offer and moved to Columbus, Ohio. In 1968 35 year old Thomas sold the franchises back to the headquarters for $1.5 million.
The first Wendy's
After selling the Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises back Thomas complained that he couldn't find a good hamburger in Columbus. So he decided to open his own restaurant. He opened the first Wendy's on November 15, 1969. Naming it after his 8 year old daughter. Wendy's quickly became popular for its square hamburgers.