While many people in the United States and throughout the world are familiar with the Wendy’s restaurants with the enigmatic little pigtailed girl smiling down on them, most are not familiar with founder, Dave Thomas, and his story of charity and giving.

Wendys heavily involved in charity

While serving up fresh, tasty, nutritional meals to millions of people each year is Wendy’s primary business, the giant organization is also heavily into the charity business. Dave Thomas, who unfortunately passed away in 2002, was an orphan who was adopted as a baby. He never knew his birth-mother. His childhood was hard, but his adopted extended family was loving and supportive. As an adult, especially when he was in a position to give back to the community, Dave Thomas decided that he could help children who were less fortunate than himself. He wanted to help them find forever homes. Look for the Wendys menu prices here.

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption was established in 1992. It was created as an organization to find permanent homes for children in the Foster Care system. Wendy’s Wonderful Kids is a branch the Dave Thomas Foundation. It was launched in 2004 in partnership with Wendy’s restaurants and, to date, they have placed more than 4000 children in permanent homes. In addition, the foundation has helped more than 10,000 children in the US and Canada, counseling to children who are trying to get ready for adoption and providing grants and financial assistance for adopting parents.

It is probably no coincidence that a company founded by a man who is so family-oriented would create a brand that is so concerned about nutrition, quality and ingredients. One of the only chains that actually posts allergen information on their nutritional information page, Wendy’s goes beyond the normal industry standards. Sharing this sort of information gives patrons peace of mind when they are looking for a quick meal for themselves or a family member. Children especially can benefit from this kind of pro-active information, and Children were what Dave was was all about.