Catholic Foundation of Columbus to use original Wendy’s as new headquarters

Columbus, Ohio, Jul 8, 2009 / 02:28 am

The original Wendy’s restaurant in Columbus, Ohio is changing hands more than 30 years after it first opened.The Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Columbus has purchased the building as its new headquarters.

The foundation, created in 1985, provides permanent support for Catholic causes in Columbus such as schools, parishes, and social services, executive director Jennifer Damiano told the community newspaper Columbus Local News. The organization has been operating out of a rented building but is now too large for that space.

On June 30, Wendy’s International and the Catholic Foundation announced the fate of the fast food chain’s first building, opened by Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas on November 15, 1969. It closed its doors in March 2007.

The building will be remodeled for both staff offices and to provide space for meetings.

"We will begin our next 25 years as the proud owner of a new home,” Damiano said.

"This restaurant is very significant to the Wendy's family -- it's where the first square hamburgers and Frostys were served by Dave Thomas and his dedicated crew nearly 40 years ago," said David Karam, president of Wendy's. "There's a lot of history in this building, we are very pleased that it will be the new home of the Catholic Foundation and continue to serve the community in a different way."

Damiano said that when the foundation moves into its new offices early next year, it will expand what many call “Cathedral Square.” The new headquarters will help develop “key partnerships” in meeting the “growing needs” of the community.

The Catholic Foundation, a non-profit autonomous organization, has invested more than $40 million in charitable causes within the Diocese of Columbus. It is the planned-giving partner of the diocese.