News

On its 100th birthday, A&W pays tribute to soldiers who helped it grow

June 18, 2019

Lexington, Kentucky-based A&W Restaurants celebrates its centennial this Thursday, June 20 and is pulling out all the stops to raise the public's knowledge about a brand that could easily be considered the "granddaddy" of QSRs here in the U.S.

A news release underscored some of the brand's accomplishment, like invention of that QSR standard — the bacon cheeseburger — as well as A&W's notoriety with spreading the popularity of a frothy mug of root beer. The brand is about as American as you get, too, having been born during a World War 1 parade in the tiny Northern California town of Lodi, where entrepreneur Roy Allen served his first nickel mug of the beverage he produced by blending his own recipe of herbs, bark, spices and berries. 

Allen later partnered with Frank Wright — the Allen and Wright of A&W — to franchise the brand in 1925. In fact, many who served in World War II came back from the fighting to open franchises later in the last century. 

The chain's strong ties to the men and women of the armed forces — both through its birth at a World War I parade and growth through franchisees who served in World War II — makes it fitting then that it's created a memory book which is being sold to benefit the Disabled American Veterans organization. In fact, the brand is kicking off its annual fundraiser for DAV this anniversary week, which runs through National Root Beer Float Day on Aug. 6. 

"There's a lot of history in 100 years, but our longtime connection to veterans is a common thread," said CEO Kevin Bazner. "That's why we are especially pleased to again be supporting Disabled American Veterans - DAV - as part of our celebration.

"Today, A&W is the strongest it has been in decades, in part because we have returned to our roots, literally — serving freshly made Root Beer in frosted mugs along with all-American food favorites."

Today, the brand has approximately 1,000 locations worldwide, including 600 in the U.S. The brand is owned by its franchisees who bought it from Yum Brands eight years ago. The QSR has grown into profitability again under the leadership of Bazner and ownership of its franchisees. In fact, this year A&W plans to open 45 new locations. 

Photo: Provided.