History of the Waffle House

The idea of starting a business began when the neighbors Joe Rogers and Tom Forkner wanted to create a restaurant focused on customers while serving quality food at great value.
The first Waffle House restaurant opened his doors on Labor Day 1955 in Avondale Estates, Georgia.
They had no plans to expand, but when the first Waffle House became popular by providing the friendliest service in town, the company grew steadily. Six years later, there already were 4 small restaurants in the same state. In the following years the company grew in both existing and new markets. Now more than 50 years later, the Southern icon has become a unique American phenomenon by serving GOOD FOOD FAST.

A short Waffle House timeline:
1955: Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner opened the first Waffle House restaurant in Avondale, GA.
1960’s: Waffle House Inc. opened 44 new restaurants, which brings the total to 48.
1980’s: New food such as Bert’s Chili™, Lib's Patty Melt™ and hashbrowns "Scattered, Smothered and Covered®" were edited on the menu.
1990’s: Walt's Soup™ was added to the menu. In the 90’s was the biggest growth of the company, with 1228 restaurants by the end of the decade.
2005: 50th anniversary. They also held the first World Waffle- Eating Championships.
2006: There are already 1500 restaurants in 25 states. Introducing of credit card payment. Till 2006 it was primarily cash-based system.
2008: A Waffle House museum was opened in Avondale, were it all began.

Fun facts of the Waffle House:
Since 1955, WAFFLE HOUSE Inc. has served:
495,264,367 Waffles
957,041,599 Cups of Coffee
204,164,660 Omelettes
Waffle House Inc. serves PER MINUTE:
159 Waffles
136 Cups of Coffee
There are scenes shot at the Waffle House for the movie Crossroads and the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, which shows that the Waffle House has become a familiar icon in the South.