Dave thomas death
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Thomas, Dave
(1932-)
Wendy's International
Incorporated
Overview
As the founder and chief spokesman of Wendy's chain of fast-food restaurants, Dave Thomas has built his company into the third-largest hamburger chain in the world, with more than 4,000 restaurants in over 30 countries and sales of $3.8 billion. Thomas started out as a drug store soda-counter helper at age 12 and became a millionaire by the age of 35. As the star of Wendy's television commercials, the plain-speaking Thomas's success was based on knowing what customers wanted and reaching the audience with honestly and sincerely.
Personal Life
Dave Thomas was born July 2, 1932, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Adopted by Rex and Auleva Thomas from Kalamazoo, Michigan, when he was six weeks old, Thomas never knew his biological parents. His adoptive mother died of rheumatic fever when Dave was five years old. His father, a construction worker, remarried three times, moving his family frequently throughout the South and the Midwest to take different jobs. Thomas' lifelong interest in adoption comes from his own less-
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Dave Thomas (businessman)
Founder of Wendy's
This article is about the American fast food owner. For other people with a similar name, see David Thomas.
Dave Thomas | |
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Thomas in 1999 | |
| Born | Rex David Thomas (1932-07-02)July 2, 1932 Atlantic City, New Jersey, US |
| Died | January 8, 2002(2002-01-08) (aged 69) Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US |
| Resting place | Union Cemetery Columbus, Ohio, US |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, philanthropist |
| Years active | 1953–2002 |
| Known for | Founder of Wendy's |
| Spouse | Lorraine |
| Children | 5, including Wendy |
Rex David Thomas (July 2, 1932 – January 8, 2002) was an American businessman, philanthropist, and fast-food tycoon who was the founder and chief executive officer of Wendy's, a fast-food restaurant chain specializing in hamburgers.[1][2] In this role, Thomas appeared in more than 800 commercial advertisements for the chain from 1989 to 2002,[3] more than any other company founder in television history.[4]
Early life
Rex David Thomas was born July
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Dave Thomas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dave Thomas | |
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Thomas in 1998 | |
| Born | Rex David Thomas (1932-07-02)July 2, 1932 Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | January 8, 2002(2002-01-08) (aged 69) Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Neuroendocrine cancer |
| Resting place | Union Cemetery Columbus, Ohio, U.S. |
| Occupation | Businessman, philanthropist |
| Years active | 1953–2002 |
| Known for | Founder of Wendy's |
| Spouse(s) | Lorraine |
| Children | 5, including Melinda |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1950–1953 |
| Rank | Staff sergeant |
David "Dave" Thomas (July 2, 1932 – January 8, 2002) was the founder of Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers, and was its chief executive officer (CEO). He never graduated from high school, but did earn his GED in 1993.
Thomas is also famous as a commercial spokesman for his company. He first appeared in a Wendy's TV commercial in 1989, and by the time he died, he had appeared in over 800, including every Wendy's commercial that aired in
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