AVONDALE ESTATES, Ga. — Waffle House celebrated its 70th anniversary on Sept. 6 with free waffles and a look back at how a neighborhood diner became an American institution during an open house at the Waffle House Museum in Decatur.
“Today’s event is all about supporting the community and celebrating our 70th anniversary,” said Bud Whitmire, vice president of corporate affairs for Waffle House, which has headquarters based in Norcross.
The Waffle House story began on Labor Day weekend in 1955, when neighbors Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner opened the first Waffle House at 2719 E. College Ave. in Avondale Estates. Their vision was straightforward: create “a good, neighborhood-friendly restaurant that folks could enjoy 24 hours a day,” Whitmire said.
That original location, now preserved as the Waffle House Museum and designated as Unit No. 1, has grown into a chain of over 2,000 restaurants in 25 states.
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