40 Little-Known Origin Stories of Famous Company Logos

#4: Wendy’s

Founded in 1969 by Dave Thomas, Wendy’s quickly won hearts with its name inspired by his daughter, Melinda “Wendy” Thomas. The original emblem featured the familiar red pigtails, highlighting the chain’s welcoming, family-friendly essence.

Over the years, Wendy’s visual identity has evolved through redesigns in 1983 and 2012, implemented by firms like Landor Associates and Tesser. These updates modernized its look while preserving the brand’s legacy, which is symbolized by Wendy’s cheerful image.