News

At 100 years, A&W free 'Float Day' honors its beginnings by honoring veterans

July 9, 2019

Squarely in the middle of the dog days of summer, A&W Restaurants reminds the world that it's okay to just "float on" amidst the heat with its annual National Root Beer Float Day, the foamy, sweet treat of the season's most sweltering days. From 2 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6, the chain will dish out free small root beer floats for all who ask, with no purchase necessary, though everyone is encouraged to donate to the Disabled American Veterans organization, a news release said.

In fact, A&W turned 100 just last month after a century in business following the serving of its first mug of Root Beer back in 1919 during a World War I veterans parade in Lodi, California.
"A&W has a long history of supporting veterans," said A&W CEO Kevin Bazner. "With this being our centennial year, National Root Beer Float Day is extra special." 

This is A&W's seventh annual National Root Beer Float Day celebration and the third year it has partnered with DAV. The two organizations hope to raise $200,000 for the benefit of the more than one million veterans  DAV helps annually. Since 2013, A&W has raised more than $800,000 for veterans groups during National Root Beer Float Day.