Dave's Way [Paperback]

R. David Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1992

The founder of Wendy's International uses anecdotes to reveal the secrets behind his success, offering his marketing and management principles and discussing the connection between family values and business strength. Reprint.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

Dave, of course, is the founder of Wendy's International and is familiar to millions of TV viewers as the hamburger vendor's plain-spoken pitchman. In the text at hand, his way is to combine a modicum of aw-shucks autobiography with a full measure of by-the- numbers advisories on how to succeed in business. The resultant fare is longer on down-home appeal than genuine sustenance. An adopted child who had a knockabout boyhood in the Midwest and Southeast during WW II, Thomas knew early on that he wanted to make a career of the restaurant industry. After dropping out of high school, the author enlisted in the Army shortly after the start of the Korean War. Posted to West Germany, he had a chance to work at his trade as assistant manager of an enlisted men's club near Frankfurt. Back home again in Fort Wayne, Ind., Thomas resumed his old job. Given an opportunity to turn around four failing Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets in Columbus, Ohio, during the early 1960's, he never looked back. A millionaire at 37, the author went into business for himself, opening the first Wendy's on November 15, 1969. The chain has prospered, by Thomas's account, as a quick- service rather than a fast-food enterprise. Although he has much to say on quality, consistency, limited menus, personnel relations, philanthropy, perseverance, marketing, and allied subjects, Thomas stands largely mute on matters fiscal. What he does do is lard his anecdotal narrative with seemingly endless series of personalized pointers, e.g., ``Dave's Yardstick for Measuring People,'' ``Dave's Tips on Bumping Bellies with the Big Guys,'' and ``Dave's Rules for Making a Good Ad.'' Notwithstanding his just-folks image, he also settles some old beefs with, among others, McDonald's, Madison Avenue, and critics of red meat. For fans of the shoulder-to-the-wheel, nose-to-the-grindstone, eye-on-the-ball, and ear-to-the-ground approaches to commercial achievement. (Eight pages of photos--not seen.) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (October 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425135012
• ISBN-13: 978-0425135013
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #460,563 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks, Dave, December 17, 2002

By 

Michael W. Graham (N Myrtle Beach, SC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dave's Way (Paperback)

As the president of a business, I am always interested in autobigoraphies, or business advice from more experienced and successful leaders.

This book contains some of the best advice I have come across. It is very down to earth, has a simple style - but that's Dave's way! As straightforward as the writing, the homespun wisdom and advice is not trendy, it is the type that will hold true in 50 years or 50 years in the past. However, it is NOT common knowledge and I learned many valuable lessons.

Read it if you are a CEO or a kitchen manager in a fast food restaraunt - either way you will have more insight into life in general.

20 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Daves Book, January 23, 2000

By 

Kimberly Jaeger (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dave's Way (Paperback)

A very inspirational book with great information for those who want to succeed in the business world. Also for someone who is interested in reading about how Dave arrived at where he is today. People who have been adopted would also be inspired by his book. This is one of my favorite books on business success, Ive read it two times. One of my other favorites is Think And Grow Rich, which I have read at least two times.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for everyone, November 18, 2003

By 

A. Reza Ruyan (Bahrain) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dave's Way (Paperback)

When it comes to business literature there are three kinds of writers:

1. Those who did it and write about it: business owners and entrepreneurs
2. Those who read about it: journalists, business books writers, and historians
3. Thos who think about it: professors, researchers, and think tanks

Every single of has their own merit and contribution to the world of business history, but for me it is very important as a business professional to learn from the people who did it. What were they thinking? What where they feels? Why?

The other two kinds of writers can tall you what they did and how but they can never tell you why?

Which is why I recommend reading books like "Dave's Way." Dave Thomas tells us his version of what, how, and most importantly why he built Wendy's.

He starts out his adulthood in the military service where he meets a young man drawing sketches of a mouse (I will let you guess who he is). Along the way, he hitches a ride with KFC's legendary founder and mascot the Connell.

As the book goes on we learn about the guiding principles that guided him in this life and business. We learn about why he started Wendy and answers to many other questions if you are a fan of his restaurant.

It is a heart-warming book and a tribute to a great man.