Wednesday, March 26, 1997

Everyone just wanted to shake Dave's hand

Dave Thomas is rich.

Having made 520 television commercials, written two books, and appeared on virtually every talk show, he's also quite famous.

But the founder and spokesman for Wendy's fast food chain treats people with the genuine respect and courtesy that helped build his empire of 5,000 Wendy's.

Just 10 weeks after open heart surgery following a heart attack, he spoke to the 120th Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Convention in Fort Worth on Monday.

After the luncheon with more than 1,000 cattle raisers, Texas Rangers (the real ones), TSCRA inspectors, the chief of police, and dignataries including Fort Worth Mayor Kenneth Barr, Thomas just mixed with the entire crowd as they rushed the stage.

It took some 30 minutes just for Dave to get to the end of the stage.

Obviously, most folks wanted to say they "shook hands" with Dave Thomas.

Dave wouldn't cancel his appearance

TSCRA had worked for years in advance to schedule Dave Thomas for the huge meeting in the Tarrant County Convention Center.

"When I heard Dave had a heart attack and heart surgery just 10 weeks before our convention....well, I almost had a heart attack, myself," said Chaunce O. Thompson, Jr., TSCRA president and a Breckenridge rancher.

But Thomas' staff told President Thompson that Dave still had every intention of making the TSCRA convention. Dave was determined to recover.

Up and about quickly

His doctor had Dave walking one day after his heart surgery.

A few days later, Dave was doing so well that they kicked him out of the hospital.

Dave recalls his doctor told him: "Dave, you know we're not running a resort around here - you're going home."

For his first solid meal, the doctor suggested that Thomas have a good steak, baked potato, spinach, and a bit of wine.

"I had it all but the wine," Thomas noted.

Dave has had to endure the Jay Leno jokes on the Tonight Show about a hamburger mogul having a heart attack. But Dave is actually building himself back up by eating nutritious beef, he notes. Getting stronger every day.

"I truly believe that beef is an important part of a balanced diet," Thomas says. "The key is to do things in moderation."

Maybe his with diet - but it's almost impossible to picture this workaholic doing his daily business in moderation.

He made flights to 90 cities just to promote his first book, "Dave's Way,"with all proceeds going to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Now he's geared up to do the same for his second book, <I>Well Done.<I>

Dave actually owns a Texas ranch at Clarendon.

"And it has some cows on it too," Thomas assures.

He's even been there once.

Chaunce presented Dave with a nice Luskey's straw hat from TSCRA.

It looked great on Dave. He will fit right in if he makes it up to his Texas ranch again.

This farm writer got to interview Dave Thomas during the afternoon following the luncheon. I found him to be the most relaxed and friendly fellow I have visited since the late actor Slim Pickens more than 20 years ago.

When you address him (through respect) as Mr. Thomas, he breaks in and says: "Call me Dave."

You do. And it feels comfortable. Like someone who is your nextdoor neighbor.

Thomas' $5 billion company started with a $6,000 payroll with the first Wendy's in 1969 named after his then 8-year-old daughter, and today has a $50 million payroll.

Wendy's has now sold more than 300 million "Big Bacon Classics."

Thomas frequently drops in at a Wendy's business...and yes, the employees call him "Dave."