After a decade of relying on multi-branded restaurant openings for its U.S. growth, A&W franchisees are continuing the company's focus on stand-alone 3-D drive-ins started last year.
Last month, Patrick Nickleson, a native of Marshall, Minn., and former corporate chef for a grocery store chain, opened his fourth A&W Restaurant in Inner Grove Heights, Minn. The new A&W 3-D Drive-In, Drive-thru and Dine-in, features seating for 38-persons, 19 drive-in stalls and the A&W Restaurants All-American menu of fresh made Draft Root Beer, Root Beer Floats, Coney Hot Dogs, and burgers made from 100 percent all-American beef.
"We like to grow our A&W business by offering the menu that has withstood the test of time, and special events aimed at families which help build memories. There are thousands of Minnesotans who can recall their first A&W experience," Nickleson said.
This month, former Sonic Drive-In owner Matt Williams opened a 3-D Drive-In in Appleton, Wis. The new A&W is part of a multiunit expansion planned for Wisconsin by Williams. Earlier this year, he opened a unit in Menasha and has another in Little Chute, Wis. Kevin Firth will manage the new restaurant for Williams and his franchise company, All American Drive Ins LLC.
The new Appleton A&W will offer customers the A&W 3-D experience, including seating for 44.
Both openings are part of a much broader expansion plan by A&W Restaurants during the brand's 90th anniversary.
"As America's original drive-in, we have developed legions of customers around the country who can recall their first experience at an A&W Restaurant," said Doug Heinrich, A&W director development strategy. "We have targeted Wisconsin as a key area for our 2009 growth plans along with Minnesota, Michigan and Oregon."
A&W Food Services of Canada growth
A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. has announced it has awarded the company's first ever multi-site new restaurant development agreement in Ontario. The agreement was awarded to existing franchisees Upinder Dhanoa and Sandy Gill and calls for the development of 12 new A&W restaurants in the Hamilton, Burlington and Milton region over the next 5 years.
Late last year, the company announced its intentions to accelerate new restaurant growth by adopting a multi-site approach to all future franchise development in Ontario. The company also plans to launch the multi-site concept in Quebec later this year.
Earlier this year, the company announced its 700th store opening in Canada.
A&W is Canada's second largest hamburger chain.
