1851

<a href="https://franchising.awrestaurants.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=aws-ceo-kevin-bazner-shares-his-vision-to-strengthen-the-brands-message-and-attract-a-diverse-group-of-franchisee-candidates-2716565" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">A&amp;W</a>, the 500-plus-unit classic restaurant franchise, has been serving one of the most historically popular soft drinks in the United States since 1919: its cold, delicious Root Beer. It all started with a root beer stand in Lodi, California during a welcome parade for WWI vets returning home. A&amp;W founder <a href="https://www.awfranchising.com/research/aw-history/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=aws-ceo-kevin-bazner-shares-his-vision-to-strengthen-the-brands-message-and-attract-a-diverse-group-of-franchisee-candidates-2716565" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Roy Allen</a> handed out ice-cold Root Beers in frosty glass mugs for five cents to celebrate the soldiers.And according to CEO <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-bazner-7b4a546/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=aws-ceo-kevin-bazner-shares-his-vision-to-strengthen-the-brands-message-and-attract-a-diverse-group-of-franchisee-candidates-2716565" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kevin Bazner</a>, Allen’s people-centric mentality still rings true for the brand today. “People gravitate to the brands they know, and A&amp;W is one of those brands,” he said.Today, the brand’s emblematic Root Beer is made and served on-site, every single day. The signature drink — along with the brand’s classic burgers, all-American menu and nostalgic appeal — has led to a 33% increase in sales since 2011.Bazner recently spoke with 1851 Franchise about his vision for the brand’s future, and he believes A&amp;W will only continue to see growth as it focuses on strengthening the brand’s story, telling it to as many people as possible and letting Franchise Partners be a part of American history.<h4>A&amp;W: The Best-Kept Business Secret in Franchising</h4>With a supportive leadership team, a franchisee-owned model, brand recognition, strong unit economics and plenty of territory to grow, A&amp;W offers a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs who are interested in multi-unit ownership or diversifying their brand portfolio.Bazner says the brand is equally as focused on making quality food and delivering a quality guest experience as its long-term value goals. And he believes A&amp;W’s rich history is a compelling story that’s ready to be told.“We haven't fully told our story — that we are a literal piece of American history — or at least it hasn't been heard,” he said. “For the first four or five years, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/awrestaurants/executive">after I returned to the company</a>, we weren't even focused on new development. We were focused on improving the unit economics of the business. To be honest, in the first five, six, seven years, our economics were improving, but we weren't quite where we needed to be to tell an interesting and exciting story to a new franchise partner.”Now, after seeing unprecedented growth over the last few years and even during the pandemic, Bazner says the brand’s story has come to fruition. “Today, we have a very, very competitive story in terms of unit economics, and we all have the same purpose in mind — to grow the business, strengthen the brand’s message and get the story out.”&nbsp;<h4>What A&amp;W Seeks in a Franchise Partner</h4>With so much opportunity for growth, A&amp;W is seeking Franchise Partners who are looking for more than just an investment. As a franchisee-owned brand, A&amp;W takes pride in the strong, forward-thinking relationship between its franchisees and the corporate team.“We want people who are interested in the integrity of the brand,” said Bazner. “We really want quality versus quantity when it comes to franchisees. We've got a very good thing here, and it's getting better. We want to protect that for the long term.”The brand currently has a 2021 franchise sales goal of 20 new restaurants by the end of the year and is targeting smaller markets in the upper Midwest, including Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.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=aws-ceo-kevin-bazner-shares-his-vision-to-strengthen-the-brands-message-and-attract-a-diverse-group-of-franchisee-candidates-2716565" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://franchising.awrestaurants.com/</a>

A&W’s CEO Kevin Bazner Shares His Vision to Strengthen the Brand’s Message and Attract a Diverse Group of Franchisee Candidates

1851 Franchise

After experiencing a brand renaissance and capitalizing on its iconic history, Bazner says the quintessential American franchise is ready to tell its story to the world and share its piece of American history with new franchise partners.

aws-ceo-kevin-bazner-shares-his-vision-to-strengthen-the-brands-message-and-attract-a-diverse-group-of-franchisee-candidates

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue Featured in USA Today as Key Player in Helping Seniors Age Safely at Home

trublue-featured-in-usa-today-as-key-player-in-helping-seniors-age-safely-at-home

Right at Home

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth, Tech Advancements, and Strong System Engagement in First Half of 2025

right-at-home-franchise-growth-2025

KidStrong Franchising, LLC

Unlocking Superpowers: How KidStrong Is Building the Next Generation of Confident Kids — and Thriving Franchise Owners

kidstrong-franchise-confident-kids

Image of a kid growing up, developing with kidstrong, high fiving and smiling. 

How KidStrong has Become the Franchise Disrupting Child Development by Partnering with Purpose-Driven Franchise Owners 

kidstrong-franchise-opportunity-child-development

Picture of kids for franchise business Kidstrong which focuses on child development and fitness

KidStrong Is Pediatrician-Recommended for Raising Confident, Capable Kids and Families Can't Get Enough

kidstrong-child-development-program

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 Development Website Builder

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

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

From Franchisee to Franchisor: How Howard Picker Is Using His Experience to Drive Sustainable Growth at Floyd’s 99

howard-picker-floyds-99-barbershop-franchise-franchisor-hot-seat

Jollibee -Launch-Story-Brand-Page-Deep-Dive-2025

Jollibee Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

jollibee-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

Bringing Robots to Main Street: How Elad Inbar’s RobotLAB Franchise Is Powering the Local AI Revolution

bringing-robots-to-main-street-how-elad-inbars-robotlab-franchise-is-powering-the-local-ai-revolution

HTeaO Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

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

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photos of Danielle Rosemond & Usman Khan & TruBlue logo

Family Members of Local Physicians Bring TruBlue Franchise to North Central Nassau, Long Island: A Health Care-Inspired Approach to Aging in Place

family-brings-trublue-franchise-to-north-central-nassau

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Kelsey McManemin — Vice President of Marketing, HTeaO

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-kelsey-mcmanemin-vice-president-of-marketing-hteao

A&W’s CEO Kevin Bazner Shares His Vision to Strengthen the Brand’s Message and Attract a Diverse Group of Franchisee Candidates

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS