Franchising

A&W Restaurants to expand Memphis presence

Photo: A&W Restaurants

April 14, 2025

A&W Restaurants plans to expand the brand's presence in Memphis, Tennessee and into the neighboring city of Millington, according to a press release.

"A&W Restaurants has won the hearts of many cities like Memphis and its suburbs by serving delicious all-American food and friendly hospitality," Betsy Schmandt, CEO and president of A&W Restaurants, said in the release. "This market poses the perfect opportunity for A&W to expand its roots in Tennessee and cater to the growing population of passionate entrepreneurial talent. At A&W, we're dedicated to supporting business owners on their journey to bring something special to their communities that can stand the test of time and be passed on for generations."

A&W has four franchised locations in Tennessee. It plans to bring three new restaurants to the greater metro area of Memphis, with one opening in Millington by the end of the year.

The brand is currently seeking franchisees. The initial franchisee fee to start a new A&W Restaurant is $30,000.

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