1851

<a href="http://www.awfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=aw-restaurants-looks-to-expand-franchise-footprint-in-illinois-2719011" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">A&amp;W Restaurants</a>, the 100-plus-year-old American food franchise, is targeting Illinois for the next phase of its franchise expansion strategy. The franchise currently has eight units in operation throughout the state, and brand leadership says there is room to develop 8X that amount.“We’ve found fantastic success in Illinois,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-palumbo-3373008?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=aw-restaurants-looks-to-expand-franchise-footprint-in-illinois-2719011" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">John Palumbo</a>, A&amp;W’s senior director of franchise development. “Our offerings resonate with people who are interested in authenticity, quality and value, and we’ve found an increasing demand for A&amp;W restaurants throughout the Midwest.”As A&amp;W prepares to expand throughout Illinois, it is first targeting development opportunities in Chicago and Naperville, demonstrating the brand’s unique ability to support successful franchise operations in markets both small and large.“Our model is designed to thrive in just about any market,” Palumbo said. “That is an enormous value for us and our franchisees, because it allows us to establish a footprint in places like Chicago, where there is a huge customer base and tons of foot traffic, and also small- and mid-size markets like Naperville, which are underserved by other chains, allowing A&amp;W to stand out and stake out an outsized share of the market.”One of A&amp;W’s newest franchisees, Lee Fry, purchased a franchise location in North Aurora earlier this year. Fry says part of his attraction to the brand was its capacity for growth in his market.“We plan on expanding with the brand pretty quickly,” Fry said. “We’re actually already in the process of looking for additional sites right now. We would like to open five locations in what we consider to be the prime Chicago suburbs over the next couple of years.”As A&amp;W prepares to onboard new franchise owners in the state, Palumbo says he has no doubt his team will find passionate and qualified candidates throughout Illinois.“The great thing about this model is that it has been perfected and proven over the course of more than a century. There is very little room for error on the franchisee side,” he said. “We have built an incredible playbook for success. Our franchisees don’t need years of experience working in kitchens or owning businesses, they just need to see the value in what we offer, follow the playbook and get out in their community to build relationships and evangelize for the brand. There are plenty of folks in Illinois who know and love the A&amp;W brand and are well equipped to succeed with our model.”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.

A&W Restaurants Looks To Expand Franchise Footprint in Illinois

1851 Franchise

The iconic American food brand is targeting new development opportunities in the Naperville and Chicago markets.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

aw-restaurants-looks-to-expand-franchise-footprint-in-illinois

USA Ninja Challenge

How Dale Grant Used Three Decades of Gymnastics Expertise to Build USA Ninja Challenge

how-dale-grant-used-three-decades-of-gymnastics-expertise-to-build-usa-ninja-challenge

Preservan

Preservan Celebrates First-Ever BrightPath Gathering: Lighting the Way for Community and Sustainability

preservan-celebrates-first-ever-brightpath-gathering-lighting-the-way-for-community-and-sustainability

Voodoo Brewing Co.

From Bartender to Brand Builder: How Matthew Hass Is Shaping the Future of Voodoo Brewing Co.

from-bartender-to-brand-builder-how-matthew-hass-is-shaping-the-future-of-voodoo-brewing-co

Woodhouse Spas

Photo of front desk of Woodhouse Spa featuring pendant lights, wood flooring, and marbled art

Expanding Woodhouse Spas Franchisees Prove Growth Is in the Details

woodhouse-spas-franchise-growth-success

From Small-Town Vision to National Wellness Brand: Milestones That Shaped Woodhouse Spas

woodhouse-spas-franchise-success-story

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Fly Dance Fitness Expands With First Franchise Location in Georgia

fly-dance-fitness-franchise-expansion

&pizza - Fast-Casual Pizza Chain Begins Franchising - 1851 Franchise

&pizza Embraces Franchising To Fuel Bold New Growth Strategy

andpizza-franchising-ceo-mike-burns

CFOs See Recession as Likely in ’25; Why Now Is the Time To Water the Franchise Buyer Seeds

cfos-see-recession-as-likely-in-25-why-now-is-the-time-to-water-the-franchise-buyer-seeds

Ellie Mental Health Franchisee Backlash - Alleged Misrepresentations - 1851 Franchise

Ellie Mental Health Faces Franchisee Backlash Over Alleged Misrepresentations

ellie-mental-health-franchisee-backlash

Tariff Tensions Threaten U.S. Restaurants with Rising Costs and Supply Chain Disruptions

tariff-tensions-threaten-us-restaurants-with-rising-costs-and-supply-chain-disruptions

Franchise Deep Dive: Studio Pilates Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

franchise-deep-dive-studio-pilates-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Franchise Deep Dive: The UPS Store Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit, and Data

franchise-deep-dive-the-ups-store-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Lindora’s New President Discusses Franchise Growth and the Future of Health and Wellness

lindoras-new-president-discusses-franchise-growth-and-the-future-of-health-and-wellness

How Car Sales Taught Buddy's Home Furnishings’ Mitchell Lee the Secrets of Franchise Development

how-car-sales-taught-buddys-home-furnishings-mitchell-lee-the-secrets-of-franchise-development

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

Florida Franchisee Reflects on Success and Growth with Sylvan Learning

florida-franchisee-reflects-on-success-and-growth-with-sylvan-learning

The Top Quick Service Restaurant Franchises for 2025

the-top-quick-service-restaurant-franchises

Top 25 Emerging Restaurant Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Top 25 Emerging Restaurant Concepts to Consider in 2025

top-emerging-restaurant-concepts-to-consider

Military Veteran and Craft Beer Enthusiast to Bring Voodoo Brewing Co. to Toledo, Ohio

military-veteran-and-craft-beer-enthusiast-to-bring-voodoo-brewing-co-to-toledo-ohio

A&W Restaurants Looks To Expand Franchise Footprint in Illinois

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS