Waffle House turns 70: From a single diner in Georgia to a Southern institution

ATLANTA — A southerner's North Star to home, some call it — the yellow sign still shines bright: Waffle House is 70 and not slowing down.

In 1955, two Georgia neighbors opened a 24-hour diner in Avondale Estates. Seventy years later, Waffle House, affectionately called WaHo, has grown into a cultural landmark with nearly 2,000 locations across 25 states.

On Sept. 5, the chain marked its 70th anniversary, celebrating seven decades of serving up hashbrowns, waffles and round-the-clock hospitality.

From Avondale Estates to America’s highways

Founders Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner opened the very first restaurant at 2719 East College Avenue with one vision: to serve people as much as food.

“We aren’t in the food business. We’re in the people business,” Rogers once said.

Their bright ye