A&W Restaurants Closes Q1 With 7 New Franchise Agreements, Aims To Build On Momentum in Q2

A&W Restaurants closed out Q1 of 2022 on a hot streak. The iconic American restaurant franchise signed seven new franchise agreements in the first quarter of the year, with new locations planned for Oregon, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado and Wisconsin. Now, the brand is preparing to carry that momentum into Q2, seeking qualified franchise partners to take advantage of white space in markets across the country.

"A&W is an iconic brand that's been around for over a century, and if the first quarter of this year shows us anything, it’s that we still have plenty of growth opportunities ahead of us," said John Palumbo, A&W’s senior franchise director.

A&W’s Q1 signings bring the brand closer to crossing the 1,000-unit mark, a rare and enviable milestone in any segment of the franchise industry. Currently, the brand has 527 domestic locations and another 400 in markets around the world. There are a total of 160 U.S. A&W franchise owners and six international franchisees.

“Franchisees collaborate with our leadership team on all decisions, and everyone from the CEO down spends time working in our restaurants,” Palumbo said. “These partnerships are the backbone of our operations-focused organization, and they are the reason that we continue to grow after more than a century.”

A&W’s Q1 growth puts the brand on track to reach its goal of 25 new franchise agreements and 12 new openings in 2022. As the brand continues to partner with franchisees in markets across the U.S., Palumbo says his team has had little trouble finding qualified candidates.

"The caliber of candidates at our most recent Discovery Day was impressive,” he said. “They are exactly what we look for in a franchise partner, and our team is confident that each of them will thrive with the brand.”

In Q2 of 2022, A&W is seeking qualified franchisee candidates for development opportunities in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Nevada.

The total investment necessary to begin an A&W operation, not including rent or land costs, is $871,000 to $1,454,750 for a Freestanding Restaurant; $401,000 to $1,013,750 for an Inline Restaurant; and $276,000 to $704,000 for a Captive Restaurant, including a $15,000-$30,000 franchise fee.

ABOUT A&W Restaurants

Established in 1919 in Lodi, California as a roadside stand, A&W Restaurants now stands as a thriving part of the American experience. With 500-plus locations across the country, including 300 standalone restaurants, the brand remains a one-of-a-kind true original. Even its signature A&W Root Beer, served in an iconic frosty mug, is handcrafted at the restaurant. Today, that traditional approach is resonating strongly with consumers, who are looking for authentic brands. For more information, visit https://franchising.awrestaurants.com/.