senior Scoops

In 1955, Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner were neighbors in Avondale Estates, Georgia. That year marked the dawning of a concept that would change how folks in the southeastern United States viewed late-night dining. The two men created a restaurant that would be open 24 hours for their friends and neighbors. They wanted to focused on the people on both sides of the counter—and so, Waffle House was born. In the 69 years since, the company has grown to over 2000 locations in 25 states, primarily in the Southeast. They employ over 40,000 associates.

From their website:

Waffle House was founded on the principals of providing the friendliest service in town, while also offering the opportunity for rewarding and quality careers

Over the years, the restaurants have become a reliable refuge for late-night meals. Whether you’re just getting off the late shift, in the middle of a long haul on an interstate, or looking for some munchies after a night on the town, the lights are almost always on and the doors open. They are so reliable that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) uses the “Waffle House Index” as a tool to help determine the severity of a disaster. If the Waffle House is closed you know things are bad.

In 2015, world-renowned foodie, the late Anthony Bourdain, featured the restaurant in a segment for his show “Parts Unknown.” He and celebrated chef Sean Brock stopped at a location on Savannah Highway in Charleston. The two characterized Waffle House as “spiritual” and “universally awesome.” It’s worth noting that they chose the 24-hour restaurant in a city known for its fine dining.

Waffle House is headquartered in Norcross, Georgia. Fittingly, that state is home to the largest number of locations (415)—Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina have nearly 200 each.

Next time you are heading to Florida on I-95, stop under the iconic yellow sign for some cheap eats, no matter what time of day.

What do you think?

Have you ever been to a Waffle House?

Let me know in the comments.

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