Franchising

Multi-unit franchisees to re-introduce A&W to Arnold, Missouri

Provided

September 23, 2021

A&W is returning to Arnold, Missouri. With plans to open by mid-October, the new location will be owned by Jim Sprick and Jim Sill. The pair previously re-introduced St. Charles, Missouri, to the brand in 2019 and will be adding another restaurant in Belleville, Illinois, next spring, according to a press release.

"We plan on growing with the brand and would like to open additional standalone models. Once upon a time, the St. Louis market had 13 locations and we have two additional locations in development in the market," Sill said in the release. "A&W, which is more than 100 years old, is experiencing a renaissance period. We're finding that the brand is especially popular in legacy towns, where A&Ws existed 30 or 40 years ago but closed. That's a big reason why we've chosen to open this location in Arnold."

"We've continued to pursue franchise opportunities with A&W because of the corporate infrastructure and business model. We're able to easily communicate with the decision-makers of A&W like CEO Kevin Bazner," Sprick said in the release. "The corporate team is accessible, and we feel that we're heard when we come with an idea. We feel comfortable communicating and collaborating with the team to discuss how we want to design a restaurant."

The franchise has plans to reach 20 units in markets across the country by the end of 2021. Other top markets for development include the upper Midwest, including Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.

A&W has 500 locations across the country, including 300 standalone restaurants.