Not many people realize the relationship between Waffle House and weather events. But we know some businesses will do everything they can to remain open for their customers, even during the most severe storms.
Waffle House is one of those establishments that has a reputation for doing just that. So much so that the restaurant has a weather term named after it.
Join us as we dive into the Waffle House Index, and how the famous 24-hour diner goes above and beyond to serve their loyal customers.
Let’s check it out!
The Backstory of Waffle House?
Waffle House is a chain of budget-friendly restaurants started in 1955 by neighbors Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner. The duo intended to “open a 24-hour, sit down restaurant for their friends and neighbors, focused on people on both sides of the counter.” Their style was quickly cherished by customers and revolutionized the service and restaurant industries.
You can find the 1,900 Waffle House locations in 25 different states. They’re open 24 hours, seven days a week, and ready to cook up something special for anyone who walks through their doors. If your stomach is growling and you need to grab a bite to eat, Waffle House is a great place to consider.
Where Is There the Highest Concentration of Waffle Houses?
The first Waffle House chain started in Avondale Estates, Georgia, in September 1955. While the restaurant chain is popular across the country, the highest concentration of locations are in the southeast.
Georgia has a total of 430 locations. Twenty-five other states that have at least one Waffle House in their state. It’s hard not to find one of their restaurants while on a road trip, especially along a southern route.
What’s So Special About Waffle House?
Waffle House has worked to create a unique experience and culture. They offer an inexpensive option for those looking to grab a quick bite to eat. While keeping prices as low as possible, the restaurant still manages to offer high-quality and delicious-tasting food.
The restaurant gets its name from one of the most popular items on the menu. There’s a variety of options available for how you want your waffle prepared.
But they have much more than just waffles to choose from. Whether you’re trying to eat healthy or get something that’ll stick to your ribs, you can find it on the Waffle House menu.
What Is The Waffle House Index?
The first use of the term Waffle House Index occurred during Hurricane Charley in 2004 by Craig Fugate. At the time, Fugate was a FEMA administrator and noticed that Waffle House stayed open during and after the hurricane.
The index measures the severity of the storm in an area based on what’s available on the menu at the local Waffle House locations. Green indicates the full menu is available, which means that the restaurant and the immediate area have power.
Yellow denotes that the restaurant is using a generator and thus has limited power. A yellow rating also indicates that the restaurant has limited food supplies.
The final state, red, means the restaurant is completely closed. This is a sure sign of serious damage and unsafe conditions in the area.
What Does the Waffle House Index Measure?
The Waffle House Index measures the intensity and damage from hurricanes, tornados, and other severe storms. Like a stoplight, the red, yellow, and green levels indicate the store’s ability to serve customers. Waffle House takes pride in remaining open to serve communities impacted by serious storms.
In 2011, Waffle House tracked Hurricane Irene for ten days before it impacted those in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware. They started preparing for the storm by moving supplies into the area. This way they could quickly and easily deliver them to restaurants needing to serve their customers who may have power at their homes.
How Did Floridians Know Hurricane Ian Was Serious?
Hurricanes are nothing new for many Florida residents. However, many Floridians quickly realized the severity of Hurricane Ian when Waffle House locations started closing around them.
The budget-friendly restaurant is known for staying open during the most severe weather. However, Hurricane Ian was so severe that many restaurants boarded up and sought shelter from the storm.
The storm made landfall on September 28, 2022. Two days later, only seven out of forty Waffle House locations closed. This means that thirty-three restaurants kept their doors open to serve those most heavily impacted by the Category 4 storm.
Is the Waffle House Index Real?
The Waffle House Index is very much real thing. The restaurant even has a dedicated section on its website to describe it. It’s just one sign that the company is invested in serving its communities.
If you arrive to grab a quick bite to eat and discover that all of the Waffle House locations in your area are closed, you’ve got a bigger problem on your hands than a growling stomach. You better check the weather quickly and see what’s going on.
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