Having one of the most recognizable fast-food chains in the world named after you might sound like a dream come true. However, Wendy Thomas Morse felt that being the face of her father’s burger franchise was so “awkward” that she kept her mascot status a secret from others.

“I mean, there were times I didn’t want people to know because I didn’t want them to have assumptions,” the 64-year-old told People. “I guess my assumption was that they wouldn’t think I was cool or hip or whatever at the time.”

In honor of Wendy’s 50th anniversary, the beloved hamburger chain launched its “50 Years, 50 Stories” campaign by spotlighting the woman who inspired its name and iconic red-pigtail logo — Wendy Thomas-Morse. Born Melinda Lou Thomas, she earned her famous nickname when her siblings struggled to pronounce her name and began calling her “Wenda,” which soon became “Wendy.”

At just eight years old, she watched her father, Dave Thomas, open the first Wendy’s restaurant in 1969 and name it after her. Dave, who had previously worked for Colonel Sanders at Kentucky Fried Chicken, wanted his own restaurant to have a warm, recognizable face. “He wanted a character,” she recalled. “He said, ‘Wendy, pull your hair up in pigtails.’ So, I did. He got his camera and took pictures of me and my sister and said, ‘Yep, it’s going to be Wendy’s Old-Fashioned Hamburgers.’”

The first restaurant, opened in Columbus, Ohio, quickly became a hit. Known for its square burger patties, frosty desserts, and friendly service, Wendy’s grew rapidly across the country. By 1978, the chain had 1,000 locations — a milestone reached faster than any competitor.

But while her father’s dream was taking off, Wendy struggled with the attention. “I would never, if I met a lot of new people, I would never tell them who I was,” she admitted. “It’s usually someone else that says it. And then it gets awkward and then it gets all better.”

Years later, her father realized the pressure he’d placed on her and offered an apology. “Probably 10 years before my dad passed, we talked about my name and namesake, and he just goes, ‘I’m really sorry I did that to you,’” she said. “To hear your father say, ‘Probably should’ve just named it Dave’s and that would have been a lot easier,’ was a lot.”

Still, Wendy says she’s proud to carry on his legacy. “I have to do the right thing, because it’s the legacy I have to carry on,” she shared. “I want to do the right thing by him, because he worked really hard to start this. I know he’s been gone almost 20 years, but he’s still working.”

She can even laugh about it now. “The name does have its advantages, though,” she joked. “Sometimes if I need a reservation, it helps!”

More than 20 years after her father’s passing, Wendy says she now views the Wendy’s sign with pride instead of embarrassment — as a lasting symbol of her dad’s dream come true. “He always just wanted to serve quality hamburgers — fresh, never frozen beef — and just really good products and have customer service be friendly and have a clean restaurant,” she reflected. “So now when I see the sign, I just think of my dad a lot because he’s there in spirit.”