Where A&W is Thriving and Growing

Our Small Town and Rural Focus

A&W franchise has a unique and strong focus on small towns and rural areas that might otherwise be overlooked. Our team recognizes the lasting impact community engagement can have for both franchise owners and guests in these spaces. We believe in being more than just a restaurant. We aim to become a landmark and a gathering place for the entire community. From little league teams celebrating their big wins to car enthusiasts coming together for meetups, and even birthday parties with root beer floats, A&W is where people from all walks of life can unite and create cherished memories.

“The A&W restaurant works very well in small town America. We find that in rural markets, A&W has a tremendous rate of sales. We just opened up a restaurant in Altoona, Wisconsin, and we have literally shattered every sales record with that opening. Rural America is really where we seem to do very well,” says Paul Martino, COO and President of A&W.

Our commitment to small towns has yielded remarkable results, with some of our best performing locations found in communities with populations of 5,000 to 6,000 people. By being an integral part of these smaller communities, A&W franchises become a source of pride and a symbol of unity. We understand the unique needs and dynamics of these areas, and our flexible business model allows us to adapt and thrive in these environments.

Also Thriving in Larger Cities

While small towns are at the heart of our business, A&W also excels in larger, more populated cities. Our flexible footprint allows for a variety of options, including standalone restaurants, end cap locations, convenience stores or malls, and travel plazas, which cannot survive in today’s market without offering food services.

We recognize the growing demand for convenience and accessibility, which is why we have also established a partnership with Walmart to open A&W restaurant locations in select stores.

“We are slowly but surely accelerating our growth of new franchise restaurants in our system,” says Kevin Bazner, Chairman and CEO for A&W. “We’ve never set out to open the most restaurants, we set out to build an infrastructure that allows us to successfully support a profitable new restaurant opening. We focus on quality rather than quantity. But those quantities are starting to go up, as we see our growth increasing year by year, in terms of new development.”

Options for Fresh Buildouts and Conversions

At A&W, we offer franchisees the freedom to choose between fresh buildouts and conversions of existing locations. This flexibility allows you to tailor your investment based on your resources and goals. We can even convert unconventional spaces into a functioning A&W restaurant, showcasing the expansive range of possibilities available to our franchise partners. Our experienced team will work closely with you to assess the potential of your desired location and provide guidance on the most cost-effective approach.

“We’re also looking for locations that are not only in freestanding buildings,” says Bazner. “We do good business in travel plazas, gas stations, and convenience stores with a bump-out restaurant with a drive thru. The key today is drive thrus, more so today than ever. But in addition to that, we’re also looking at shopping centers, food courts, end caps on a strip center with the drive thru. What we’re really looking for is where our franchise partner can make money, whether it’s a new or existing franchise. We’re in this to grow and build profitable new restaurants. So it’s really about the economics of the real estate. Conversions are a big opportunity for us.”

Bring an A&W Franchise to Your Community

If you’re looking for a franchise opportunity that thrives in a variety of communities, from small towns to bustling cities, consider joining the A&W franchise family. We provide the support, resources, and proven business model that will empower you to make a positive impact while building a thriving business. Fill out our form here to receive our comprehensive Franchise Information Report, where you’ll find detailed insights into the benefits and opportunities of owning an A&W franchise. Let us help you embark on an exciting entrepreneurial journey with A&W.