Many of the original locations of beloved fast food chains are either still operational or somehow enshrined. For example, the at the site of the world's first Mickey D's in San Bernadino, CA is a fascinating tourist destination. However, while Frosty fans searching for the original Wendy's location in Columbus, OH will find a commemorative sign at 257 East Broad Street, the actual restaurant is no more.
Dave Thomas opened the first Wendy's in 1969, having previously advised no less than Harland Sanders on ways to make his chicken restaurants more profitable (that's right, .) Thomas found instant success with the iconic . And by March 1978, Wendy's cut the ribbon on the chain's thousandth location.
The original Wendy's benefitted from proximity to Columbus's beloved COSI, the Center of Science and Industry. When COSI moved to its newer location on West Broad Street in November 1999, Wendy's lost a huge amount of foot traffic from field trips and families visiting the science center. While Wendy's Incorporated resisted closing the original location for years, eventually the economic reality set in.
The world's first Wendy's ceased operations on March 2, 2007. As news got around to the community, Wendy's fans flooded the restaurant to say goodbye on its final day. You can visit a Wendy's museum The site of the original Broad Street Wendy's sat vacant for over two years until it was purchased by the Ohio Catholic Foundation and redeveloped into the Foundation's headquarters.
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