2. Personal History
Hometown: Atlantic City New Jersey
High school: life[2]Thomas did not graduate from
high school until later in his adult life, when he
obtained a GED. One of his first cousins (Greg Bach)
was influential in Dave's business
Family :he spent much time with his grandmother
Minnie Sinclair, whom he credited with teaching
him the importance of service and treating others
well and with respect, lessons that helped him in
his future business.
Parents: He was raised by two adoptive
parents, Rex and Auleva Thomas
3. Business history
He opened his first Wendy's in Columbus, Ohio, in
1969. (This original restaurant would remain
operational until March 2, 2007, when it was closed
due to lagging sales.)[3] Thomas named the
restaurant after his eight-year-old daughter
Melinda Lou, whose nickname was
Wendy, stemming from the child's inability to say
her own name at a young age. According to Bio
TV, Dave claims himself that people nicknamed his
daughter quot;Wenda. Not Wendy but Wenda. So one
day, I looked at her and said...'I'm going to call it
Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers'