A & W Restaurants Inc.
Burgers, hot dogs, root beerBackground
Founded: 1919 Franchising since: 1925
Roy W. Allen opened his first beverage stand in Lodi, California, in 1919. Three years later, he joined forces with Frank Wright to form the A&W Root Beer Co. In addition to selling root beer, A&W established a chain of drive-up restaurants that served the company's root beer as well as favorites like hot dogs, hamburgers and french fries. Today there are A&W Restaurant locations around the world.
Franchise Growth
Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North carolina, North dakota, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming
Outside the U.S.: Asia
Roy W. Allen opened his first beverage stand in Lodi, California, in 1919. Three years later, he joined forces with Frank Wright to form the A&W Root Beer Co. In addition to selling root beer, A&W established a chain of drive-up restaurants that served the company's root beer as well as favorites like hot dogs, hamburgers and french fries. Today there are A&W Restaurant locations around the world.
A&W's parent company, Yum! Brands Inc., also owns Long John Silver's, Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut.
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1900 Colonel Sanders Ln. Louisville, Kentucky 40213 |
Phone: (866)298-6986
Franchisee Association
National A&W Franchise Association |
Franchise Growth
| Year | U.S. Franchises | Canadian Franchises | Foreign Franchises | Company Owned |
| 2009 | 363 | 0 | 264 | 0 |
| 2008 | 367 | 0 | 254 | 4 |
| 2007 | 397 | 0 | 238 | 9 |
| 2006 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2005 | 446 | 0 | 208 | 15 |
Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North carolina, North dakota, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming
Outside the U.S.: Asia
Costs and Fees
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Total investment: $1M-1.6M Franchise fee: $20K |
Ongoing royalty fee: 5% Term of agreement: 20 years, renewable |
Type of Financing Available
| In-House | Third Party | |
| Franchise Fee | No | Yes |
| Startup Costs | No | Yes |
| Equipment | No | Yes |
| Inventory | No | Yes |
| Accounts Receivable | No | Yes |
| Payroll | No | Yes |
Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $1M
Cash liquidity requirement: $360K
Business Experience:
- Industry experience
- General business experience
- Marketing skills
Training and Support
Training
Ongoing Support
Marketing Support
- Available at headquarters: 2 weeks
Ongoing Support
- Newsletter
- Meetings
- Toll-free phone line
- Grand opening
- Field operations/evaluations
- Purchasing cooperatives
Marketing Support
- Co-op advertising
- Ad slicks
- Regional advertising
Rankings
Franchise 500® rank:
#199 (2009); #311 (2008); #245 (2006); #252 (2005);
America's Top Global Franchises:
#142 (2005);
#199 (2009); #311 (2008); #245 (2006); #252 (2005);
America's Top Global Franchises:
#142 (2005);