News

A&W opens in Singapore after 16-year absence

April 30, 2019

A&W has opened its first Singapore store in 16 years, with plans for 45 openings this year in the U.S. and abroad. The newest location opened April 17 in Singapore's Jewel Changi Airport, a news release said. 

The expansion takes place on the cusp of the brand's centennial as part of it Second Century Growth Initiative. A&W was actually the first American QSR to open an Asian location in 1966, when the company said guests were known to wait hours for root beer floats, Coney dogs and other American dishes featured on the brand's menu. 

The company said the new location is situated in a place that serves as a center for local residents and international travelers. The store is open around the clock with seating for 80 and will test menu and service innovations that could be used elsewhere. 

"Since A&W franchisees acquired the company in 2011, we've been working to rebuild the brand worldwide," CEO Kevin Bazner said in the release. "The amazing responses to our Singapore return, combined with the interest we are seeing from new U.S. franchisees, clearly show that A&W is a second-century growth brand."

This year in Southeast Asia, the Lexington, Kentucky-based brand will open 35 stores. In the U.S., A&W has 17 franchised U.S. restaurants in development, including five set to open in the next two months. The company also said it will open franchises in Las Vegas and Tonopah, Nevada, Bingham Lake in Minnesota, Prescott Valley, Arizona and Yermo, California.

A&W will turn 100 on June 20. It has 960 restaurants, including 597 in the U.S. and 372 in Asia.