Background
The son of a real estate agent, he practiced law until called to serve in World World War World War II After his return, he took over his father"s real estate firm, working in Avondale Estates, Georgia.
The son of a real estate agent, he practiced law until called to serve in World World War World War II After his return, he took over his father"s real estate firm, working in Avondale Estates, Georgia.
Forkner graduated Young Harris Junior College before getting a law degree from Woodrow Wilson College of Law.
As of 2007, he lived in Duluth, Georgia. In 1949, Forkner sold a home to Joe Rogers, Senior Inspired by the emergence of fast food chains like McDonalds, Rogers, who was a regional manager of the Toddle House chain of diners in Memphis, Tennessee, proposed that he and Forkner go into business together for a quick-service, sit-down restaurant.
Forkner suggested a Toddle House, but Rogers felt the chain wasn"t proper for the market.
After Forkner secured the property, the pair developed the concept of the together. Forkner proposed naming it after the most expensive item on the menu to promote it, while Rogers suggested keeping a 24-hour schedule.
The first opened in Avondale in 1955. Over the next several years, the pair expanded the chain, beginning to offer franchises after 1960.
As of 2005, Forkner and Rogers, though having passed the helm of the company to Joe Rogers, Junior. in 1973, still worked for the company occasionally, including on major holidays.
In 2007, Forkner was still visiting his office daily. Forkner started golfing as part of a lifestyle change after health problems put him in the hospital in 1959. He has been widely successful as a senior golfer, and on January 6, 2007 was inducted into the Georgia Hall of Fame.
Forkner, who competed in the 1980 and 1981 United States. Senior Opens, once placed second there, which in mind of the competition he described to the Augusta Chronicle in 2007 as "probably the single best thing I ever did.".