Staffing

A&W Restaurants names Amanda Potts VP of marketing, innovation

Photo: A&W Restaurants

March 17, 2025

A&W Restaurants has named Amanda Potts as its VP of marketing and innovation. Potts, a seasoned marketing professional with more than 20 years of experience, has a proved track record for implementing impactful marketing programs that support franchise growth, increase brand awareness and deliver measurable results for sustainable development and success, according to a press release.

"A&W Restaurants has more than 105 years of stories we aren't done telling. The iconic brand continues to grow, evolve and adapt with its guests, while remaining true to its rich history. As I join the A&W team, I'm dedicated to honoring the history that makes the brand unique and sharing new ideas, marketing strategies, and communications plans to take the brand to new heights and engage new audiences," Potts said in the press release. "I'm honored to be a part of an organization with a strong foundation of loyal customers, passionate franchise partners, and a leadership team dedicated to A&W's success."

Prior to A&W, Potts served as director of franchise marketing at Valvoline Inc. She has also worked with notable companies including Fazoli's.

"Amanda is a welcome addition to our growing leadership team. Her marketing and franchise experience will amplify A&W Restaurants' message about our commitment to quality, dedication to community and continued national growth and development," Betsy Schmandt, CEO of A&W Restaurants, said in the press release. "As we step into this next chapter of the A&W journey, we're grateful to have Amanda join us as an integral member of the team executing plans to make good on our mission and long-standing value proposition."

A&W Restaurants has more than 850 locations in 35 states and Asia, of which over 600 are single-brand A&Ws and 230 are co-branded with KFC or Long John Silver's.