Wendy’s restaurants across The Bahamas recently came together to pay special tribute to the legacy of the company’s late founder, Dave Thomas, and his five guiding life principles. These five nuggets of wisdom, still resonate throughout what has become one of the world’s top quick serve restaurant franchises in the world.
Dave’s prized principles of “Quality is our Recipe, Do the Right Thing, Treat People with Respect, Profit is Not a Dirty Word and Give Something Back,” became the foundation on which Wendy’s sprung up from a single unit, family-run burger joint in Columbus, Ohio in 1969 to a multi-million dollar, 6,500+ unit company with a formidable global presence.
The twelve Wendy’s restaurants in New Providence and Grand Bahama celebrated “Founder’s Month” throughout November with festivities ranging from crew award presentations, cash donations, a store-wide commemorative cake cutting, and other charitable acts to celebrate the founders legacy.
“Dave’s Diamond Award” was introduced to recognize one crew member from each store who consistently exemplifies Dave’s spirit of “quality and excellence.” New Providence awardees included: Saintalise Bien-Aime, Whitney Morely, Lauretta Coakley, Crystal Major, Sharelle Mcdonald, Nadege Pierre, Mario Paul, Leonie Louis, Deandra Stuart and Christina Rolle. In Freeport, Sandra Cooper and Louise Henfield earned the honor.
On the actual day celebrated as “Founder’s Day,” November 15th customers could find Wendy’s locations decorated with each store’s personal touch. At 11:00am, a special in store founder’s day message flooded Wendy’s airwaves greeting customers, crew and Dave’s Diamond recipients. The simultaneous presentation across all stores rewarded recipients with a diamond award and a cash gift. These recipients easily stood a part, as they resembled Dave in his favorite uniform of a white shirt and red tie.
Customers joined in the celebrations through a commemorative cake cutting at the various Wendy’s, picture taking with Wendy and an in store family game day to win FREE meals.
To seal the celebrations, Dave’s core value, “Give Something Back” was carried out during the week of Thanksgiving. Operation, Saving Thanksgiving for Great Commission Ministries assured the non-profit organization on Wulf Road that they would still be able to hold their annual Thanksgiving luncheon despite the channeled donations to Hurricane Mathew relief efforts. A donation of 15 turkeys and 48 whole chickens assisted in feeding 1,000 persons in need on Thanksgiving Day.
A timely cash donation was also made to the Grand Bahama Children’s Home. The home that currently hosts 28 children will use the monies to provide the children with new outfits and shoes for the upcoming holidays and school year.
The last act of charity was a Staff Canned Food Drive that incorporated all of the Wendy’s stores and corporate head office. The 10-day long drive surprised Unity Senior Citizen House with a donation that left administrator Janet Smith- Butler in tears.
Dave’s Diamonds
Turkey delivery to Great Commission Ministries and cheque donation to Grand Bahamas Children’s Home
