American restaurateur and philanthropist, best known as founder of the hamburger chain, Wendyâ??s International Inc. Wearing a Wendy's apron, Thomas was one of the nation's most recognized television spokesmen. He has appeared in almost every TV advertisement for the No. 3 burger chain in the United States from 1989 until his death.
In 1969, he opened his first Wendy's restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, naming it after his daughter. Today, Ohio-based Wendy's operates about 6,000 restaurants in the United States and Canada with systemwide annual sales of more than $7 billion, and a market value of over $4 billion on the New York Stock Exchange. As a successful businessman, Thomas founded numerous charities, including the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, a cause he was particularly passionate about, having been adopted himself. Dave Thomas died on Tuesday, January 8, 2002 after fighting liver cancer for many years.
He did alot for adoption saying if he could help one child get a home it was worth it.