Verne Winchell

Verne Winchell (1924–2002) was an American entrepreneur and philanthropist, best known as the founder of Winchell's Donuts, a chain of doughnut shops in the United States.

Early Life

Verne Winchell was born in 1924 in Bloomington, Illinois. He moved to California in the 1940s, where he began his career in the food industry.

Career

In 1948, Winchell founded Winchell's Donuts, which grew to become one of the largest doughnut chains in the United States. The chain was known for its wide variety of doughnuts and for being open 24 hours a day. Winchell's Donuts was also one of the first food businesses to use a drive-thru window, a feature that would later become common in fast food restaurants.

In addition to his work with Winchell's Donuts, Verne Winchell was also involved in the horse racing industry. He owned a number of successful racehorses, including the 1988 Kentucky Derby winner, Winning Colors.

Philanthropy

Winchell was known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in the field of medical research. He donated millions of dollars to various medical research institutions, including the Scripps Research Institute and the City of Hope National Medical Center.

Death and Legacy

Verne Winchell died in 2002 at the age of 78. His legacy lives on through the Winchell's Donuts chain, which continues to operate across the United States and internationally.

See Also

• List of doughnut shops
• List of American entrepreneurs
• List of philanthropists

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