The site of the first Waffle House® restaurant will now be a historic site, as proclaimed by the Georgia Historical Society.
On Saturday, September 8, 2012, a Georgia historical marker will be unveiled at the first Waffle House restaurant in Avondale Estates, Ga. Now a museum dedicated to the Southern staple, a dedication celebration will begin at one o’clock in the afternoon to conclude the events of National Waffle Week, September 2-8.
Waffle House restaurants opened “Unit #1” on Labor Day, 1955 in Avondale Estates, Ga. when two neighbors, Joe Rogers, Sr. and Tom Forkner envisioned a restaurant focused on people-both the associates and customers-while serving quality food at a great value.
“We never dreamed that Waffle House would be as big as it is today when we opened our doors in 1955. In the beginning, we thought we would open about 10 locations and then go fishing,” tells Waffle House Co-Founder Joe Rogers, Sr.
Today, there are more than 1,650 Waffle House locations in 25 states. Since day one, the goal was to provide guests with a unique and comfortable dining experience. At every restaurant, the bright “yellow sign” welcomes customers like an old friend, the jukebox plays a variety of now famous Waffle House songs and associates give customers a heartfelt greeting as they walk through the door.
“I’m proud that we began this journey 57 years ago in my home town of Avondale Estates, and we are fortunate to still be part of this great community with the Waffle House Museum,” says Waffle House Co-Founder Tom Forkner.
The City of Avondale Estates, Ga. has been instrumental in the process to name the Waffle House Museum as a Georgia historic site.