Today the world mourns the loss of 69-year-old popular culture icon, Dave Thomas. The Wendy’s fast-food restaurant founder passed away Tuesday following a 10-year battle with liver cancer.
He led the fast-food franchise to international success after opening the first restaurant in 1969 and was inspired by his daughter when naming the business. Currently, Wendy’s is the No. 3 burger chain in the United States.
Thomas will long be remembered for his appearances in nearly all of the Wendy’s commercials since 1989. The light-humored advertisements featured Thomas clad in a Wendy’s apron, behind the counter flipping hamburgers, staying true to his humble roots. He appeared in so many ads that he joined the Screen Actors Guild.
Thomas made a less public name for himself advocating for adoption rights. Thomas was adopted as a child.
In 1986, Thomas considered running in the Ohio gubernatorial race as a Republican. He said he wanted to “pay something back” for his success.
The Emerald salutes this humanitarian and advertising legend.
Thomas will be tremendously missed by the Emerald editorial board, and probably the legions of University students who frequented his restaurants.
In Memorial
Daily Emerald
January 8, 2002
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