What Ever Happened To A&W Restaurants?
If there ever were a restaurant to stop at for a savory bacon cheeseburger and a creamy root beer float, it's A&W. It's known for being the oldest chain restaurant franchise in the United States, having been established in 1919, according to Thrillist.
Its slogan, "All American Food," couldn't be more true, with A&W not only being historically veteran-friendly but creating some of the most iconic fast-food marketing techniques, such as drive-ins and carhops. Let's also not forget about the impressive menu, which includes a slew of classic all-American food: burgers of all kinds, french fries, cheese curds, onion rings, hot dogs, chicken fingers, and, at some locations, even spaghetti (per Thrillist).
But depending on where you live, you may find that the classic orange and brown logo and adorable mascot, Rooty the Great Root Bear, are now non-existent. But why? Are there any locations left? And will you ever have a chance to taste another A&W root beer float in a frosted mug?
What happened to A&W restaurants?
According to a December 2021 press release (via Globe Newswire), the iconic burger chain was struggling to stay afloat under the ownership of YUM! Brands. Sales were decreasing, and franchisees were dissatisfied. The future of the restaurant looked more and more lackluster each year.
It wasn't until December 2011 that the company was bought by a group of franchise owners who were determined to help rebuild the restaurant. Since then, its locations have seen an increase in sales, with average unit sales up almost 50%. The company has also opened 70 new restaurants, with more on the way, per the 2021 release.
In hindsight, Kevin Klein, chairman of the National A&W Franchise Association, stated in the press release that franchisees were "excited to be on our own and away from YUM! Brands' control." Many felt that the chain was being forced into co-branding with concepts that weren't the right fit. Today, the restaurant has moved away from the co-branding strategy and is building single-branded restaurants where franchise owners are 100% in charge of their locations. Klein says the franchise base is now "the best of the best" compared to 10-20 years ago. Even though you may not see A&W around every street corner, there are still more than 500 locations in the United States (per Scrape Hero).
The history of A&W
A&W has made quite the comeback story. However, what's even more impressive is its 100-year-old history, which all started with a roadside stand back in 1919. A&W's website states that Roy W. Allen opened his first root beer stand in Lodi, California, on a hot summer evening at a homecoming parade for WWI vets. Allen then partnered with a former employee, Frank Wright — hence the name "A&W." The two leased their first root beer stand so they could expand their business to larger cities, such as Sacramento. By 1925, Allen and Wright began selling their stands to others through franchising, creating the first chain restaurant franchise in America.
From there on, A&W locations began showing up across the country, but not as regular old pop-up stands. Instead, Allen came up with the idea of a drive-in restaurant and provided a "car hop" service which was modeled after bellhops at hotels (per Reference for Business). The brand even began selling burgers. But not just any burger, a bacon cheeseburger, which for its time (1963) was the first of its kind at a chain restaurant. Allen and Wright continued to expand their menu to include many other items, including the now-classic Wisconsin white cheddar cheese curds.
Even though A&W may have taken a downward slide in the 2000s, its tradition and legacy continue to live on.