1851

<a href="https://franchising.awrestaurants.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=aw-targets-milwaukee-and-upper-midwest-for-franchise-growth-2715929" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">A&amp;W Restaurants</a>, the iconic franchise with more than 500 units in the U.S., says the Milwaukee area will play a key part in an aggressive 20-unit growth goal for this year. Currently, the brand has 50 units in the state, but only four in the Milwaukee metro area, which leadership believes can support as many as 20 units.&nbsp;“The Milwaukee region is the perfect match for A&amp;W,” said <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-palumbo-3373008?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=aw-targets-milwaukee-and-upper-midwest-for-franchise-growth-2715929" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">John Palumbo</a>, A&amp;W’s senior director of franchise development. “Our brand resonates with people who are looking for authenticity, quality and value. That’s why we do extraordinarily well by bringing the one-and-only A&amp;W experience to cities other brands pass over.”Beloved for its signature Root Beer served in a frosty cold mug, the brand has been on an upswing for the past decade. Owned by a partnership of international and domestic franchisees, the brand has experienced a tremendous sales uptick, boasting a 33% sales growth compared to 2011. This positive growth trajectory comes after the 102-year-old brand racked up strong 2020 sales numbers, posting a 10% comp sales increase for the second year in a row.&nbsp;Currently, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/awrestaurants">A&amp;W</a> has 18 stores in the development pipeline, with 12 deals signed at the end of last year. Palumbo says the brand is on track to sign another four to seven new franchises in the second quarter.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Milwaukee strategy is part of a development plan that includes targeting smaller markets in the upper Midwest, including Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa as well as the rest of Wisconsin. Palumbo believes these markets are underserved by bigger chains, giving A&amp;W an opportunity to stand out. Additionally, the small-town feel of these heartland towns and cities works well from a brand standpoint by reinforcing A&amp;W’s status as a classic, authentic American experience.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.awfranchising.com/2019/06/aw-franchise-review-phil-welch-of-franksville-wi/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=aw-targets-milwaukee-and-upper-midwest-for-franchise-growth-2715929" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Phil Welch</a>, a third-generation A&amp;W franchisee from Franksville, Wisconsin, about 20 miles south of Milwaukee, agrees. Welch’s grandparents opened their A&amp;W in the early 1950s and he later took over the business. Today, the A&amp;W he runs remains a local favorite, as well as a popular stopover for Chicago visitors, who enjoy the nostalgic feelings the brand evokes, in as much as its delicious root beer and burgers.&nbsp;That’s why Welch believes the brand is in great shape and has big potential in the state, which still offers a lot of territories for franchisees to grow, starting with Milwaukee. “We have about 50 locations in Wisconsin, but there’s room and a demand for more,” he said. “Milwaukee would be a great place to grow.”The Wisconsin native also likes that A&amp;W is franchisee-owned, giving a direct say in the management and direction of the company. He is now a member of the National A&amp;W Franchisee board, the ownership group that manages the brand. “I like the way there is collaboration and that everyone’s ideas are respected. We help make decisions that affect our business.”The total investment to franchise with A&amp;W Restaurants ranges from $276,000 to $1,397,000, including a $15,000 to $30,000 franchise fee. For more information on franchising with A&amp;W, please visit <a href="https://franchising.awrestaurants.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=aw-targets-milwaukee-and-upper-midwest-for-franchise-growth-2715929" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://franchising.awrestaurants.com/</a>.

A&W Targets Milwaukee and Upper Midwest for Franchise Growth

1851 Franchise

Riding a decade of sales momentum, the iconic American franchise brand looks toward small and mid-sized cities to achieve big development goals.

aw-targets-milwaukee-and-upper-midwest-for-franchise-growth

Sola Salons

Sola Salons Targets Chicago for Strategic Franchise Growth

sola-salons-targets-chicago-for-strategic-franchise-growth

Melting Pot

Photo of Melting Pot white chocolate fondue

How Melting Pot Franchisees Drive Year-Round Success Through Strategic Promotions and Local Marketing

melting-pot-franchise-year-round-success

Crust Pizza Co.

Crust Pizza Co. - Technology Piece - CTO Nick Fontenot - May 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Crust Pizza Co. Builds the Future of Franchising With Tech-First Strategy

crust-pizza-co-technology-nick-fontenot-cto

Paris Baguette

Paris Baguette’s Recipe for Expansion: Leadership, Community and A Vision for 1,000 Cafés by 2030

paris-baguettes-recipe-for-expansion-leadership-community-and-a-vision-for-1000-cafes-by-2030

Seniors Helping Seniors®

Franchisee Spotlight with Billy and Anita Clark and Seniors Helping Seniors

Heart and Purpose: Couple Launch Seniors Helping Seniors® Franchise in Northern Arizona

heart-and-purpose-couple-launch-seniors-helping-seniors-franchise-in-northern-arizona

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

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands - 1851 Franchise

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands

doordash-acquistions-deliveroo-sevenrooms

Crumbl Franchise Investment - TSG Consumer Partners -  1851 Franchise

TSG Consumer Partners Takes Minority Stake in Crumbl, Signaling Franchise Growth Potential

crumbl-franchise-investment-tsg-consumer

Yum Brands Reports Strong Q1 Results with Big Boost from Taco Bell

yum-brands-reports-strong-q1-results-with-big-boost-from-taco-bell

QSR: McDonald’s Gains Momentum With Chicken Innovation, Value Deals and Franchisee Support

mcdonalds-franchise-recovery-chicken-strategy-value-deals-2025

The Future of Franchising: Trends and Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

the-future-of-franchising-trends-and-predictions-for-2025-and-beyond

District Taco Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-district-tacos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

DonutNV Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-donutnv-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Photo of Happinest Brands vans and teams standing together

Happinest Brands Closes Strong Q1 With Strategic Growth, System-Wide Enhancements

happinest-brands-q1-2025-growth

The Fashion Class Franchise - Deep Dive - Costs, Fees, ROI - 1851 Franchise

The Fashion Class Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

fashion-class-franchise-deep-dive

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

Franchisee spotlight image with photo of Robert Trujillo and UWRG logo on blue background

How Robert Trujillo Expanded His Construction Business With UWRG

how-robert-trujillo-expanded-his-construction-business-with-uwrg

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: Building Your Brand’s Growth Machine

ultimate-guide-to-selling-franchises

A&W Targets Milwaukee and Upper Midwest for Franchise Growth

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS