Georgia Magazine - December 2022 - 21

Left: Patrons line up to order from the Waffl e House food truck
at a special event at the Waffl e House Museum in DeKalb County.
Below: Cooks prepare food made-to-order at Waffl e House.
of charity, love and courage, " Hannon says. " Of course,
Waffle House is a place to grab a bite to eat, but it's also the
place to go when you're seeking shelter from the storm,
whatever that storm might be. "
Once upon a time in Georgia
The very first Waffle House debuted on Labor Day in 1955
just outside of the Avondale Estates community in DeKalb
County. Neighbors and friends Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner
launched that first restaurant and named it after what would be
the most profitable item on the menu: waffles.
The founders envisioned a casual, sit-down dining
experience with consistent fare and fast, friendly, aroundthe-clock
service.
" Our menu items are best described as traditional
comfort foods, " says Njeri Boss, vice president of public relations
at Waffle House Inc. in Norcross. " Our menu today offers most of
the same foods as the menu from 67 years ago, though the prices
have increased with time. Back then, a bowl of warm chili cost
just 45 cents. "
Even in the company's early days, the business philosophy
embraced strong, long-term partnerships with other respected,
mostly Southern brands.
" Coca-Cola has been with us since the doors opened, " Boss
says. " That relationship started with a handshake, and all these
years later, we still consider them family, and vice versa. "
Other loyal partners include the Kraft Heinz Co.
(condiments), Jimmy Dean (premium pork sausage),
Smithfield Foods (bacon) and Baldwin-based Springer
Mountain Farms (chicken).
" We are known for providing food that's both fast and
affordable, but we don't cut corners, " Boss says. " Every meal
starts with quality ingredients. It's about bacon, eggs and fun. "
Rogers and Forkner opened their second location in 1957.
By 1960, the empire began spreading beyond metro Atlanta.
Today, there are 400 locations in Georgia and nearly 2,000
locations throughout the U.S. The chain employs 35,000 hourly
workers and managers, and Boss says Waffle House is looking
to hire even more hourly workers and managers in the coming
months.
Waffle House's commitment to serving communities goes
beyond waffles and hash browns. The company's philanthropic
arm awards millions of dollars in grants to health and human
services organizations and youth and educational programs
around metro Atlanta each year, and the company encourages
associates to volunteer time to local causes.
" We strongly believe in giving back and taking care of one
another-taking care of people on both sides of the counter, "
Boss says. " In fact, Joe Rogers Sr. once said: 'We aren't in the
food business. We're in the people business.' It's part of our
culture. "
MORE
By the numbers
Each year, Waffl e House associates cook
303.5 million strips of bacon,
pour about 58 million cups of coff ee
and serve 125.3 million waffl es.
Batter for the
Waffl e House's
classic waffl e is
made in small
batches from
a proprietary
waffl e mix,
eggs and
half-and-half.
www.georgiamagazine.org 21
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COURTESY WAFFLE HOUSE INC.
COURTESY WAFFLE HOUSE INC.
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Georgia Magazine - December 2022

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