Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer dead aged 58

Walter G. “Walt” Ehmer, the president and CEO of Waffle House, has died at the age of 58, the Atlanta Police Foundation announced.

He served on the foundation’s board of trustees and has run the Atlanta breakfast chain since 2012.

“Walt was a dedicated leader, a tireless advocate for public safety, and an unwavering supporter of our mission to create a safer, stronger Atlanta,” a statement from the police department said.

The statement continued: “His passion for community service and steadfast dedication to improving the lives of others will have a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time. He will be deeply missed.”

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens also released a statement after his death.

“I am saddened to hear of the passing of Walt Ehmer, CEO of Waffle House and a proud Georgia Tech alumnus. His leadership, dedication and warmth touched the lives of so many, both within the Waffle House family and beyond,” said Mayor Dickens.

“He leaves behind a remarkable legacy. My thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time. May they find comfort in his lasting impact and the lasting impression he has left on so many.”

The circumstances surrounding Ehmer’s death have not yet been released.

Ehmer joined Waffle House in 1992 and quickly rose to a senior executive position within the company, according to an interview he did this year with the Georgia Tech Alumni Association after winning the Joseph Mayo Pettit Alumni Distinguished Service Award.

The award honors alumni who have made exceptional contributions to the Georgia Tech community and have played leadership roles in their careers.

Ehmer became chairman of Waffle House in 2022 and led the chain through the COVID-19 pandemic, an incredibly difficult time for restaurants large and small

According to the same interview, he became president of Waffle House in 2006 and rose to CEO six years later. In 2022, he was named chairman of the board.

He also briefly described his leadership style, which found him more often found in the Waffle House restaurants than in the office.

“I’m a product of our culture at Waffle House and that culture is about being a leader,” he said.

Ehmer’s philosophy was tested during the COVID-19 pandemic, when lockdowns devastated the revenues of restaurants large and small.

In response, Ehmer cut his own salary in half, along with the rest of senior management, to keep Waffle House afloat. Company Insider reported.

“The stimulus helped a lot of restaurants and, more importantly, a lot of people in the beginning,” Ehmer said in November 2020. “But what you can’t appreciate enough is someone’s peace of mind and the assurance that they have a job that they can count on.”

There are now more than 1,900 Waffle House locations in 25 states, and the biggest draw is that they are all open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Ehmer was also praised for his response to a young woman who was shot to death at a Tennessee Waffle House in 2018. He is seen here speaking at a press conference about the tragedy

He is described as an active member of the Atlanta community, serving on the boards of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the city’s police department, and Metro Atlanta Commerce.

Ehmer was also praised for his response to a young woman who was shot dead at a Tennessee Waffle House in 2018.

DeEbony Groves, 21, was singing a gospel song when she died, Ehmer said at her funeral.

“We visited with the survivors and they talked about the people who were in that restaurant before the event happened, and they specifically remembered your daughter,” the director told hundreds of relatives at the First Baptist Church in Gallatin, Tennessee.

He continued, “You will get through this because I know when I see this, this is a very strong community of faith.”

Ehmer’s speech was met with applause and cheers and was embraced by friends and family at the funeral, who took comfort in his words.