History of Waffle House in Timeline

Waffle House is a renowned American restaurant chain specializing in Southern breakfast food. With over 1,900 locations across 25 states, it holds a significant presence in the Midwest and South, earning recognition as a regional cultural icon. The company's headquarters is situated in Norcross, Georgia, within the Atlanta metropolitan area.

1947: Joe Rogers Sr. Begins Restaurant Career

In 1947, Joe Rogers Sr. began his restaurant career as a short-order cook at a Toddle House in New Haven, Connecticut.

1949: Rogers Becomes Regional Manager

By 1949, Joe Rogers Sr. had become a regional manager for the Toddle House chain, which was based in Memphis.

1955: First Waffle House Opens

On Labor Day Weekend in 1955, Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner opened the first Waffle House in Avondale Estates, Georgia.

1956: Rogers Sells Stake to Forkner

To avoid a conflict of interest with his job at Toddle House, Joe Rogers Sr. sold his share of Waffle House to Tom Forkner in 1956.

1960: Waffle House Begins Franchising

After opening a fourth location, Waffle House began franchising in 1960.

1960: Rogers and Forkner Reunite at Waffle House

In 1960, after Toddle House refused to sell Rogers a stake in the company, he returned to Waffle House full-time. Shortly after, Forkner joined him.

1967: "Waffle House of Bloomington" Forms

Waffle House of Bloomington, Indiana, Inc. was established in 1967 and was the city's second oldest restaurant before closing in 2013.

1974: Waffle House Inc. Registers in Indiana

Waffle House, Inc., of Norcross, Georgia, registered with the state of Indiana in 1974.

1981: "Waffle House Greenwood Inc." Established

Waffle House Greenwood Inc., doing business as "Sunshine Cafe", was established in 1981 in Indiana.

1993: E. Coli Deaths at Jack in the Box

Four deaths occurred in 1993 from E. coli traced to undercooked hamburgers at a Jack in the Box.

1995: "Saturday Night At My Place" Released by Waffle Records

Waffle House released "Saturday Night At My Place" by Gary Garcia on its own record label, Waffle Records, in 1995.

2003: Salmonella Outbreak at Chili's

A serious Salmonella outbreak occurred at a Chili's restaurant in Vernon Hills, Illinois in 2003.

2004: Dateline Investigates Waffle House Sanitation

In 2004, Dateline NBC investigated the sanitation practices of Waffle House, finding an average of 1.6 critical violations per inspection.

2005: "Waffle and Steak" Becomes "Waffle House"

In 2005, all Waffle and Steak restaurants in Indiana adopted the "Waffle House" name.

2006: "They're Cooking Up My Order" Released

Waffle Records released the song "They're Cooking Up My Order" by Alfreda Gerald in 2006.

2007: Waffle House Repurchases Original Location

In 2007, Waffle House repurchased its original restaurant and restored it to serve as a private company museum.

2008: Waffle House Acquires North Lake Foods

In 2008, Waffle House, Inc. bought out one of its largest franchises, North Lake Foods, after it filed for bankruptcy.

2009: East Coast Waffles Takes Over North Lake Foods

In early 2009, East Coast Waffles purchased North Lake Foods to become a new Waffle House Franchisee.

2013: Bloomington Waffle House Closes

The Waffle House in Bloomington, Indiana closed in 2013.

2017: Waffle House Founders Pass Away

Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner, the founders of Waffle House, died within two months of each other in 2017.

September 17, 2019: Hepatitis A Exposure at South Carolina Waffle House

On September 17, 2019, customers of a Waffle House in Goose Creek, South Carolina were potentially exposed to Hepatitis A after an employee tested positive.