Dave Thomas (
July 2,
1932 -
January 8,
2002) was the founder and chairman of
Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers, a fast food restaurant chain specializing in hamburgers. He is also known for personally appearing in over 800 commercial advertisements for the chain. He came back as head of the company after he found retirement did not suit him.
Thomas started out in business by purchasing four
Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises. He later sold them and opened his first Wendy's in
Columbus,
Ohio, in
1969. There are currently over 5000 Wendy's restaurants worldwide.
Adopted as an infant, Thomas was himself a well-known advocate for adoption.