Skip to main content
book cover for Call me Dave

Call me Dave

Behind the Counter with Dave Thomas, Founder of Wendy's

You must sign in to see if this title is available for request. Sign In or Register Now

Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app


1

To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.

2

Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.

Pub Date 21 Jul 2026 | Archive Date 21 Jul 2026


Talking about this book? Use #CallmeDave #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!


Description

"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.

"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...


A Note From the Publisher

Denny Lynch launched a lifetime career in public relations while working on the student newspaper in college. A chance meeting with Wendy's founder Dave Thomas in 1981 led to a twenty-year adventure together crisscrossing the US and Canada, with Denny eventually rising to senior vice president of communications for Wendy's. Denny also helped create the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption in 1992 and served as chairman for twenty years. In 2009, he received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the Ohio State University. He loves retirement with his wife of forty-five years, two children, and four granddaughters.

Denny Lynch launched a lifetime career in public relations while working on the student newspaper in college. A chance meeting with Wendy's founder Dave Thomas in 1981 led to a twenty-year...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9798897471805
PRICE $19.95 (USD)
PAGES 260

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Reader (PDF)
NetGalley Shelf App (PDF)
Send to Kindle (PDF)
Download (PDF)