Winchell Thoroughbreds
| Verne Winchell | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 30, 1915 Bloomington, Illinois United States |
| Died | November 26, 2002 (age 87) Las Vegas, Nevada United States |
| Cause of death | Cardiac arrest |
| Residence |
San Marino, California Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Education | Alhambra High School, Pasadena City College |
| Occupation | Businessman Racehorse owner/breeder |
| Known for | Founder of Winchell's Donuts |
| Spouse(s) | Joan |
| Children | Christina, Linda Ronald, Richard |
Verne Hedges Winchell (October 30, 1915 – November 26, 2002) was the founder of Winchell's Donuts and also served as a chairman, president, and chief executive officer of the Denny's restaurant chain.
Winchell was born on October 30, 1915, in Bloomington, Illinois. At the age of nine, Winchell and his family moved to California. Winchell graduated from Alhambra High School and later took business courses at Pasadena City College, where he decided on a business career.
On October 8, 1948 he opened his first donut shop in Temple City, California and earned the nickname "The Donut King", while making a fortune with a chain of Winchell's-branded donut shops in the western United States during the 1940s and 1950s. Winchell's Donuts merged with Denny's Incorporated in 1967. In 1970, Winchell became chairman of Denny's. Winchell served as chairman of the board, president, and chief executive officer of Denny's until 1980. He sold his interest in Denny's for $600 million in 1984. Winchell was also a successful horse breeder and owner.
Before starting his lucrative doughnut franchise, he tried selling jukeboxes and used cars in the 1950s. A friend suggested opening a doughnut store because there was a high profit margin. Winchell took a $27,000 stake and turned a piece of commercial property he owned into his first store.
The shops were highly successful and it was not too long before Winchell expanded his operation throughout California. In 1976, according to BusinessWeek magazine, sales at Winchell's nationwide were $99 million, although the chain was by then a distant second to Dunkin' Donuts.
Winchell died of a cardiac arrest in Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 26, 2002, at the age of 87, at Summerlin Hospital. Family members said he collapsed after exercising on the treadmill at his home. Winchell had been a resident of Las Vegas for 30 years.
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