A&W Awards a New Franchise Agreement in Kansas with Multi-Unit, Multi-Brand Franchisee, Aims To Add 10 New Locations in the State by 2025

A&W Restaurants, the iconic American restaurant franchise with over 500 locations throughout the U.S., is gearing up to expand throughout Kansas in 2022. Kicking off the brand’s growth plan in the state is new franchisee SJ Singh, who is bringing A&W to Ellis, Kansas, with plans to expand further once his first location is up and running.

Singh was born and raised in India and came to the U.S. 25 years ago. Though he has owned a convenience store and still owns a few Days Inn, Super 8, Best Western and Quality Inns, the prospect of owning an A&W has always been in the back of his mind. “The day I landed in America, my friend who picked me up from the airport took me to his favorite restaurant for dinner — A&W. My first meal in the United States was at an A&W, and the location is still there in Visalia, CA.”

Though Ellis had an A&W location in the 1960s, it closed after interstate I-70 began directing drivers to the other side of town. Opening in July 2022, Singh’s location will be the only drive-thru restaurant option in the city — all others are dine-in only.

The previous location left the Ellis community with fond memories of A&W; now, Singh has found the perfect location for a revival. Nestled between a hotel and a well-trafficked truck stop, Love’s, the restaurant sits next to the only interstate exit to the city.

Residents are thrilled to have A&W back, and Singh said that his dream, the location and the city have all come together to make this possible. “Everybody in the city is very excited. We just did a groundbreaking, and almost half the city was there.”

There are currently five A&W locations in Kansas: Hays, Russell, Hutchinson, Junction City and Wichita. Now, the brand is gearing up to open an additional five to 15 locations in the state. “We believe Kansas has the capacity to house several more additional successful restaurants. We are excited about our new franchise partner and that we have been able to help him achieve his dream of opening his own A&W,” said John Palumbo, A&W’s Senior Director of Franchise Development. “For over 100 years the A&W brand has resonated with so many Americans across this great country and Ellis is no different. This is only the tip of the Root Beer Float for A&W in Kansas!”

The total investment necessary to begin operation, not including rent or land costs, is $871,000 to $1,469,554 for a Freestanding Restaurant; $401,000 to $1,051,088 for an Inline Restaurant; and $276,000 to $704,000 for a Captive Restaurant, including a $15,000-$30,000 franchise fee. For more information on franchising with A&W, please visit https://franchising.awrestaurants.com.