Our founder, Dave Thomas, believed everyone has an obligation to put back into life more than what they take out. He founded Wendy's with the belief that a company should do more than just sell a product or service. Dave taught us to treat people with respect, do the right thing, and give something back to the communities where we do business.
The causes we support help us create joy and opportunity through food, family and community:
Since our founding, supporting foster care adoption has been at the heart of the Wendy’s system. Wendy’s employees, franchisees and suppliers are dedicated to fundraising for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption® and their signature program, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids®. Together, we’ve found thousands of permanent, loving homes for children awaiting adoption from foster care, and we won’t stop until every child has a family.
Children and adults in every community face hunger every single day. We know that food insecurity can have a wide impact and affect physical and emotional health, the ability to learn and grow, and create lifelong, negative outcomes. As a restaurant company, we recognize the importance of supporting initiatives that help build hunger-free communities.
We believe the restaurant industry offers career opportunities to individuals of all ages. We want to help youth and families acquire the skills and knowledge they need to be successful and access equal opportunities to develop, grow and learn. We proudly support organizations that provide education, job training and community-based support for local youth and families.
At Wendy’s, we know that our company and restaurants can have a tremendous impact on our communities, and we continuously strive to be productive citizens. We partner with organizations that create fair, inclusive and thriving places to live, work and learn. We strive to be good stewards of the environment by working to reduce negative environmental impacts. And we support efforts that allow our employees to be proud of the places they call home.
Since our founding, supporting foster care adoption has been at the heart of the Wendy’s system. Wendy’s employees, franchisees and suppliers are dedicated to fundraising for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption® and their signature program, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids®. Together, we’ve found thousands of permanent, loving homes for children awaiting adoption from foster care, and we won’t stop until every child has a family.
Children and adults in every community face hunger every single day. We know that food insecurity can have a wide impact and affect physical and emotional health, the ability to learn and grow, and create lifelong, negative outcomes. As a restaurant company, we recognize the importance of supporting initiatives that help build hunger-free communities.
We believe the restaurant industry offers career opportunities to individuals of all ages. We want to help youth and families acquire the skills and knowledge they need to be successful and access equal opportunities to develop, grow and learn. We proudly support organizations that provide education, job training and community-based support for local youth and families.
At Wendy’s, we know that our company and restaurants can have a tremendous impact on our communities, and we continuously strive to be productive citizens. We partner with organizations that create fair, inclusive and thriving places to live, work and learn. We strive to be good stewards of the environment by working to reduce negative environmental impacts. And we support efforts that allow our employees to be proud of the places they call home.
At Wendy’s, we treat each other like family, and we make it a priority to take care of one another. In 2017, we launched WeCare: an assistance fund designed to provide short-term financial assistance to Company and franchise employees within the Wendy’s system experiencing financial need due to federally or state-declared natural disasters.
Wendy’s annual Frosty 5K Run for Adoption raises funds and awareness for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption®. Since its inception in 2013, the Frosty 5K has raised more than $300,000 for the Foundation.
Wendy’s Community Giving Program enables Company employees across the globe to apply for a charitable grant on behalf of a local organization that aligns with the Company’s core categories of charitable support.
"The Dave" is Wendy’s signature golf event. Its mission is to annually bring together the entire Wendy’s business system for golf, fellowship and, importantly, to raise money for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption®.
As part of Wendy’s annual Community Giving Program, each Employee Resource Group is eligible to request a grant to support a charitable organization of its choice that aligns with both the Company’s giving strategy and the group’s distinct mission and philanthropy pillar. The goal is to create meaningful partnerships, not just provide financial support. Since 2020, Wendy’s has donated nearly $250,000 to support more than 60 unique organizations in communities across the globe.
Through WendyMail™, Veterans Advantage members enrolled in VetRewards are eligible to receive offers for patriotic holidays.