In which city did the first Wendy's restaurant open in 1969?

The first Wendy's restaurant opened in Columbus, Ohio, in 1969.

Dave Thomas founded the chain and named it after his daughter Melinda Lou Thomas, whose childhood nickname was Wendy. The first restaurant opened at 257 East Broad Street in downtown Columbus on November 15, 1969.

Wendy's became known for square hamburger patties, a feature intended to show that the meat was too substantial to fit completely inside the bun. The chain also emphasized made-to-order food and a self-service salad bar during its early years.

The original restaurant closed in 2007 because of declining sales and redevelopment plans. A replacement Wendy's opened nearby, but the historical first location remains associated with Columbus.