A&W Restaurant

A&W Restaurants, Inc. is an international chain of fast food restaurants distinguished by its draft root beer and root beer floats. A&W was the first successful food franchise company, starting franchises in California in 1923. The company name was taken from the surname initials of partners Roy W. Allen and Frank Wright. The company's root beer is unique and has a taste that is not easily replicated.

History

Roy W. Allen opened his first root beer stand in Lodi, California in 1919. Allen's employee Frank Wright partnered with him in 1922 and they founded the first A&W restaurant in Sacramento, California, in 1923. The company began to franchise in 1925, and by 1960, it had more than 2,000 locations.

Menu

A&W's menu features a variety of items, including the Papa Burger, Mama Burger, and Baby Burger, which are all part of the Burger Family. Other popular items include the Coney Dog, Cheese Curds, and of course, the signature A&W Root Beer. The root beer, which is made fresh in the restaurants, is served in a frosty mug and is also available in a diet version.

Ownership

Over the years, A&W has changed hands several times. It was owned by United Brands Company from 1972 to 1982, and then by A. Alfred Taubman from 1982 to 1995. In 1995, it was sold to Yum! Brands, which also owns KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell. In 2011, A&W was sold to a partnership of domestic and international franchisees, led by A Great American Brand LLC.

International Presence

A&W has a significant international presence, with locations in countries such as Canada, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The menu items vary by location, with some international locations offering unique items not found in the U.S. restaurants.

See Also

• List of fast food restaurant chains
• History of fast food