Waffle House is a restaurant chain with over 1600 locations found in 25 states in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. Most of the locations are in the Southern United States

Southern United States

The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...

, where the chain remains a regional cultural icon. It is headquartered in unincorporated

Unincorporated area

In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...

 Gwinnett County

Gwinnett County, Georgia

, Gwinnett County had a population of 805,321. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 53.3% white , 23.6% black , 2.7% Korean, 2.6% Asian Indian, 2.0% Vietnamese, 3.3% other Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 8.8% some other race and 3.1% from two or more races...

, Georgia

Georgia (U.S. state)

Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...

, near Norcross

Norcross, Georgia

As of 2010 Norcross had a population of 9,116. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 40.8% white , 19.8% black or African American , 0.7% Native American, 2.1% Asian Indian, 10.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 21.5% from some other race and 4.3% reporting two or more races...

.
The first Waffle House opened on Labor Day

Labor Day

Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...

 weekend, 1955 at 2719 East College Avenue in Avondale Estates, Georgia

Avondale Estates, Georgia

Avondale Estates is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,960 at the 2010 census.Avondale Estates was founded in 1924 by George Francis Willis, who purchased the entire village of Ingleside to create a planned community. The city was named after Stratford-upon-Avon,...

. That restaurant was conceived and founded by Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner

Tom Forkner

Thomas "Tom" Forkner is an American businessman and lawyer as well as a notable senior golfer. He is the co-founder of restaurant chain Waffle House, which consisted of 1,553 restaurants as of February 5, 2009.-Biography:...

, who both continue to own a majority of the company today.