Call Me Dave - by Denny Lynch (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"A powerful tribute to our dad-a man who gave everything he had to make Wendy's one of the greatest hamburger chains in the world. He poured that same passion into a foundation dedicated to helping thousands of foster children find permanent, loving homes. This is his inspiring story." -Pamela Thomas, eldest daughter of Dave and Lorraine Thomas and Wendy's franchisee

Dave Thomas turned a boyhood dream of owning a hamburger stand into a worldwide success story. He proved that honesty, integrity, friendliness, and hard work never go out of style. Denny Lynch, Dave's close friend and former Wendy's SVP of communications, offers an intimate look at the man behind the apron, tracing Dave's rise from a determined young busboy to one of America's most beloved spokesmen.

Featuring personal reflections and anecdotes from his wife, daughters, employees, friends, and Wendy herself, Call Me Dave explores Dave's quest to build the nation's best hamburger chain while staying true to his principles. Dave never forgot where he came from and created a second legacy-the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption-dedicated to finding loving homes for more than 130,000 children lingering in the foster care system.

All author profits are donated to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, continuing Dave's lifelong mission to find every child a forever home.

Review Quotes

"An insider's perspective of the challenges and achievements of Dave Thomas, one of our national treasures, told by the person who was literally by his side as he traveled the nation." -Jeff Coghlan, Wendy's franchisee

"Inspiring, entertaining, and deeply human, it's a story that will leave you feeling as though you knew Dave yourself." -Don Calhoon, former Wendy's EVP of marketing

"Brings renewed light to Dave's story, reminding us that his greatest achievement was not the business he built, but in the lives he forever changed." -Rita Soronen, president and CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

"The world needs more people like Dave Thomas-honest, trustworthy, humble, and someone who cared for others. He lived his life according to his values, not trying to impress anyone. But by the end of his career, he had impressed everyone. This book tells how he did it." -Charlie Rath, former Wendy's EVP of marketing

"In this book, Denny not only shares his personal stories of his time traveling with Dave Thomas, but he gives us all a glimpse into the man we all saw on our TVs. . . . not only full of funny and heartwarming stories, but truly valuable insights from one of the greats." -Rob Geen, Board of Directors chair for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

"A deeply human look at an everyday person who rose to become a business icon and five-star leader with a paradoxical sense of humility. . . . His values still resonate today, and they're a reminder of the kind of leadership we could use more of-focused on quality, simplicity, and truly caring for people. This book is well done." -John Barker, president and CEO of the Ohio Restaurant and Hospitality Alliance