Like many basketball fans growing up in the New York area, I was captivated by the legendary John Havlicek. Imagine my surprise as a kid walking into a Wendy’s restaurant in Yonkers, New York, and being greeted by massive black and white photographs of “Hondo” himself. These weren’t just small prints; they were huge, dominating the wall space near the counter. I vaguely knew Havlicek had some business interests outside of basketball, perhaps owning restaurants, but the full story was a mystery to me until recently.
It turns out the connection between the Boston Celtics icon and the fast-food chain Wendy’s is quite personal and fascinating. As a 1982 New York Times article revealed, the link began through a babysitting arrangement.
“A young girl named Wendy baby-sat for my children,” John explained, “and it turned out that her father was Dave Thomas, the chairman of the board of the Wendy’s hamburger restaurant chain. Mr. Havlicek had known Mr. Thomas before, and would meet him now and then. One day they began chatting about business, and Mr. Thomas told Mr. Havlicek that his restaurant franchises might prove to be a profitable venture for him. “After speaking with him, I became interested in starting my own restaurant,” Mr. Havlicek said.
This chance encounter blossomed into a significant business venture for Havlicek. Teaming up with Larry Fleisher, a prominent figure who served as general counsel for the NBA Players’ Association (essentially the precursor to Billy Hunter’s role), Havlicek expanded his Wendy’s interests. Fleisher, also a resident of Chappaqua, NY, further solidified the local connection.
John Havlicek, legendary Boston Celtics player, featured in a vintage Wendy's advertisement, highlighting his unexpected business partnership with the fast-food chain.
Ultimately, John Havlicek became a Wendy’s franchise owner, operating three locations in Westchester County, New York: Elmsford, Port Chester, and the Wendy’s in Yonkers that made such an impression on my younger self. It’s a testament to the unexpected paths life can take, where a simple babysitting arrangement can lead to a successful business partnership for a basketball legend.
While I haven’t visited that particular Wendy’s in Yonkers recently, I often wonder if those iconic photos of Havlicek are still on display. Sadly, it seems unlikely. According to a Forbes article from 2014, Havlicek sold his Wendy’s franchises after more than 30 years of ownership, marking the end of an era. This long-term commitment demonstrates a different kind of dedication from the one he showed on the basketball court, but successful nonetheless.
For a young sports fan, knowing that John Havlicek owned Wendy’s added a certain cachet to the restaurant. In a world of McDonald’s and Burger King, Wendy’s, in my mind, had the Havlicek edge. (Although, I must confess, my fast-food heart belonged to Roy Rogers, even before Roy became a Boston Celtic!).
The story of John Havlicek and Wendy’s is a unique and interesting footnote in the career of a basketball icon. It’s a reminder that even legends have diverse interests and ventures beyond their primary field of fame. And now, you’re in on this piece of John Havlicek trivia too.
