In 1955, Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner were neighbors in Avondale Estates, Georgia. That year marked the beginning of an idea that would change how the southeastern United States viewed late-night dining. They 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 winding down 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.