Strong same-store sales growth driving development
Lexington, KY (RestaurantNews.com) With the countdown to its 100th anniversary underway, A&W Restaurants, America’s first restaurant chain, is continuing to reappear along the roadsides that made it famous.
After opening 15 franchise locations in 2017, the iconic brand expects to open another 12 this year. Since late 2011, when a group of franchisees acquired A&W from YUM! Brands, root beer lovers across the country have welcomed 54 new restaurants. There are now more than 630 locations in the U.S.
“From day one, we have focused on helping operators grow profitable same-store sales,” said CEO Kevin Bazner. He noted A&W has reported sales increases in 20 of the last 24 quarters, including the very challenging first quarter of this year. “That performance has benefited our existing operators, many of whom are adding units, but it’s also driven interest from new franchisees.” Average same-store sales also are up over 33 percent for the same time period.
Bazner added that free-standing locations now average annual sales of $951,678, based on Item 19 in A&W’s recently updated Franchise Disclosure Document. This is the first time A&W has included an Item 19 since acquiring the brand. “We are seeing a lot of interest from operators looking to build new stand-alone restaurants, as well as gas and convenience units,” he said.
So far this year, A&W has opened restaurants in Cape Girardeau, Mo., Spencer, Wis., Fremont, Neb., and Stansbury Park, Utah. Restaurants are currently under development in Berkeley and Hayward, Calif., Salome, Ariz., Algoma, Wis., Lima, Ohio, Hershey, Neb., Almont and Mt. Morris, Mich., Ostego, Minn., Rock Rapids, Iowa, and Las Vegas, Nev.
A&W was founded in Lodi, California, in June 1919. Plans for its centennial celebration are being finalized. They include a book to be published next year with profits going to Disabled American Veterans – DAV.
America’s first and oldest restaurant chain, A&W Restaurants ranks #4 on Time Magazine’s 2018 list of America’s best fast-food chains. It still makes Root Beer fresh in each restaurant from real cane sugar, water and a proprietary blend of herbs, bark, spices and berries that are served in a frosty mug alongside burgers, fries, chicken tenders and other All American Food® favorites. There are nearly 1,000 locations worldwide.
Contact:
Brad Ritter
Ritter Communications
866-284-2170
BRitter@bradritter.com
