A fixture on the Atlanta dining scene has died.
Richard Thomas, who opened the health food eatery R. Thomas Deluxe Grill at 1812 Peachtree St. in Buckhead in 1985, died Wednesday, according to What Now Atlanta, who confirmed the death with his family.
Before opening his restaurant, he served as president of operations at Kentucky Fried Chicken, and was also a founder of a Charlotte restaurant that eventually became the Bojangles' Famous Chicken & Biscuits chain .
In addition to its menu of healthy items, which was before its time in Atlanta, R. Thomas is also known for being open 24 hours and for its colorful collection of parrots, flowers and plants outside the restaurant. The restaurant marked Thomas' 350th venture in the restaurant industry when it opened.
<< Sign the guestbook for Richard Thomas
After years working in the fast food industry, he said in a 1985 interview with the AJC that he "just didn't want to do anymore fast food."
Thomas, who himself was a trained chef who graduated from the Culinary Institute of San Francisco , left most of the operation of the business to his children and grandchildren.
"I've been in the food business all my life, " Thomas said in 1998. "But I've never had people come up and thank me for the style of food we are doing, like they do now. It's rewarding."
Customers and friends remembered Thomas on the restaurant's Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/rickeybe/posts/10210038771898803
https://www.facebook.com/douglas.mccroskey/posts/1382319145132830
https://www.facebook.com/rthomasdeluxegrill/posts/10154765268045491
https://www.facebook.com/singinsiren4him/posts/10211695122074449
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