1851

<h4>1851 Franchise: Why do you think&nbsp;<a href="https://awfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=executive-qa-with-aw-restaurants-ceo-kevin-bazner-2718916" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">A&amp;W</a> has stayed relevant for more than a century?</h4><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-bazner-7b4a546?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=executive-qa-with-aw-restaurants-ceo-kevin-bazner-2718916" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kevin Bazner</a>: I think it has stayed relevant for a couple reasons. One is the signature product — root beer that is made fresh daily from the same recipe for the last 102 years. That consistency is a big part of what brings people to the restaurant, and it's what people recognize about&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/awrestaurants">A&amp;W</a>. The brand started with Roy Allen, one of our founders, operating a root beer stand in California and serving veterans coming back from World War 1. So, we have a long history of being associated with our craft beverage, and it’s virtually the same recipe with just a couple minor modifications.And everyone has an A&amp;W story. I hear them all the time when traveling for business and wearing the logo. People come up and say “A&amp;W! I remember when…” and we get that all the time. We’ve been working on recapturing those memories so new parents will continue to bring their kids the same way their parents and grandparents brought them. Of course, there is great food, but it's really about the memories and the root beer.<h4>1851: Why is now a good time to get into the QSR segment?</h4>Bazner: Even before the pandemic, but especially during and coming out of it, the convenience of QSR and drive thrus is at a premium. We are seeing people use less delivery now; more are coming into the restaurant, and the convenience of the drive-through has really propelled our business forward over the past few years. The speed of service inherent in this segment is only becoming more important and we are perfectly positioned in that regard. Also, in an inflationary environment, AQR is in a sweet spot for customers still wanting to eat out but are looking for inexpensive options and convenience.&nbsp;<h4>1851: How does A&amp;W differentiate itself from other QSR brands?</h4>Bazner: We are franchisee owned and have a quality filter that all decisions are run through, asking if things fit our quality proposition and how they will work at a store level. It’s not the corporate team or executives mandating decisions; it all goes through franchise owners and shareholders.&nbsp;The ownership structure we have is a long-term view. We have third and fourth generation owners in our brand, and they look at decisions in terms of generations. And as a result, we are well capitalized, have no debt, and there is no pressure on me or the leadership team to improve earnings. We are continually reinvesting.&nbsp;We are part of the industry’s largest purchasing co-op: YUM Purchasing Co-Op. That is very meaningful for our 600-plus restaurants here in the U.S., who are buying chicken alongside KFC and Pizza Hut. So, we have the purchasing power of a much, much larger corporation, which is also a non-profit.&nbsp;<h4>1851: What are some of A&amp;W’s key milestones from recent years?</h4>Bazner: In 2011 we went through an acquisition and became an independent brand. Since then, we have had ten consecutive years of same-store sales growth. The last two years, coming out of the pandemic, were record years for us in terms of AUV and same-store sales growth.We just opened up a new A&amp;W location in Arnold, Missouri a couple of days ago, and it was an absolute smash success. The first three days open, it was breaking sales records each day.We are seeing the strongest pipeline of interested parties that we’ve seen since the acquisition ten years ago and are attracting more and more attention. We are talking to people who have other concepts and are looking to expand their portfolio with us because of our sales growth, and we have a lot of white space out there. They’re coming to us because we’ve got plenty of opportunities to grow in their existing market. These are industry people who are educated in the QSR segment, and they look at our unit economics and like what they see.&nbsp;<h4>1851: Why is now a great time to invest in A&amp;W?</h4>Bazner: Now is a great time to invest because we have ten years of momentum and a lot of white space. We are better today than we were yesterday and the day before, and certainly better than we were ten years ago. The challenges in the industry like the pandemic and labor issues have forced us to improve and provide better support and strengthen our system. Interest rates are also at a historic low, so it is a good time to act now before they go back up.<h4>1851: What’s next for A&amp;W?</h4>Bazner: We as an industry have learned an awful lot over the past two years, including about the use of technology by consumers. We are in the midst of a big initiative right now to use technology to improve the customer experience and enhance operations for owners. And we are using that to address the challenges of labor, with rising costs and a shortage of workers.

Executive Q&A with A&W Restaurants CEO Kevin Bazner

1851 Franchise

The chief executive officer of the expansive quick service restaurant franchise explains why the brand has had such long-standing success.

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

executive-qa-with-aw-restaurants-ceo-kevin-bazner

Sola Salons

Photo of outside of a Sola Salons location

With Decades of History and Opportunities for Consolidation, Sola Salons System Is Ripe for Private Equity Investments

sola-salons-private-equity-investment-opportunities

Woodhouse Spas

Your Path To Owning a Woodhouse Spa: A Step-By-Step Guide to Franchise Ownership

woodhouse-spas-franchise-ownership-steps

Right at Home

Right at Home Expanding In-Home Care Services in State College

right-at-home-expanding-in-home-care-services-in-state-college

BoConcept

Photo of three dark gray chairs surrounding wooden table with vining plant

Facility Executive: BoConcept Shares How Office Design is Evolving in 2025

2025-office-design-trends-engaging-workspaces

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Photo of HomeTeam Inspection Service franchisees Tyler and Doug Butler

How a Chance Encounter Led This Father-Son Duo to a Thriving Home Inspection Business

doug-tyler-butler-hometeam-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

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

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

Superior Fence & Rail - Franchise Deep Dive - 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Superior Fence & Rail Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

superior-fence-rail-franchise-deep-dive

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

Franchisee spotlight featuring Ian and Dick Rydholm with gradient blue background and Sylvan logo

Ian and Dick Rydholm Celebrate 30 Years of Transforming Lives Through Sylvan Learning in El Paso, Texas

Executive Q&A with A&W Restaurants CEO Kevin Bazner

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS