MANITOWOC, Wis. — Jimmy Brajdic, a Wisconsin native and A&W Restaurants franchisee, is partnering with Barb Gretzinger, who also owns an A&W Restaurant in Stiles, Wis., to open their new A&W Restaurant 3-D Drive-In in Manitowoc, Wis., in early April.
Brajdic is a second generation franchisee. His parents, Ron and Julie, opened their first A&W Drive-In in Fond du Lac, Wis., 25 years ago.
Brajdic is a Wisconsin native who attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout, where he earned a degree in hospitality and tourism. His interest in restaurants continued to grow, and after working on a project with YUM! Brands, parent company for A&W, he chose to become an A&W franchisee.
Founded in 1919 in Lodi, Calif., A&W Restaurants is experiencing a renaissance and plans to open 15 new Drive Ins in 2009 with much of its growth targeted at Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Oregon.
