A&W Opens 45th Location in Wisconsin

A&W, the fast-food burger chain with over 1,000 units, recently opened its 45th Wisconsin-based location in the city of Altoona.

Volume One spoke to Dee and Jerry Wells, the owners and operators of the new location, which opened on January 10th. Following the Altoona branch, the Wells are planning to open a second A&W location in Cadott by the end of May.

A&W began franchising in 1925, solidifying the brand’s spot as the first franchise restaurant chain in American history. In 2022, the brand opened more restaurants than in the previous three years combined. The new Altoona location is part of A&W’s plan to target new and existing markets in Midwest states like Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin, as well as North Carolina, South Carolina, Nevada and Florida.

For more information on the location’s opening click here. 

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.