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While speaking with <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/exclusives/its-going-take-more-pandemic-stop-aw?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=qsr-magazine-its-going-to-take-more-than-a-pandemic-to-stop-aw-2715768" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">QSR Magazine</a>, the CEO of <a href="https://www.awfranchising.com/research/development-options/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=qsr-magazine-its-going-to-take-more-than-a-pandemic-to-stop-aw-2715768" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">A&amp;W</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-bazner-7b4a546?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=qsr-magazine-its-going-to-take-more-than-a-pandemic-to-stop-aw-2715768" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kevin Bazner</a>, discussed how the <a href="https://1851franchise.com/5-longest-running-franchises-2715632#stories">102-year-old brand</a> decided against a ghost kitchen concept when the pandemic hit and how the brand’s comeback was built on quality initiative. Bazner credited the brand’s success to its 2011 acquisition by a group of core franchisees and the fact that a majority of A&amp;W's 550-plus restaurants offered a drive-thru option. While the brand, like many others, experienced a setback when the pandemic hit, A&amp;W restaurants saw a 9.7% surge in 2020 and marked the ninth year of consecutive growth for the brand. So far in 2021, the brand has experienced a 30% increase in sales from 2019 numbers. Bazner explained that the drive-thru factor cannot be overlooked when discussing a brand’s success.&nbsp;“Our playbook really hasn’t changed,” Bazner said. “If anything, this past year really supported it. One thing that doesn’t get talked about enough, especially in lockdown stretches, is how drive-thru blares as a ‘WE’RE OPEN’ signal to guests. It’s the herd counter to quarantine life. Is it safe to eat at a restaurant? Well, 10 cars are lined up outside A&amp;W.”&nbsp;In the past year, A&amp;W restaurants with drive-thrus saw a sales increase of 14%. To handle the increase of customers using the drive-thru, corporate helped with franchisee support in creating a second makeshift lane.<a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/exclusives/its-going-take-more-pandemic-stop-aw?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=qsr-magazine-its-going-to-take-more-than-a-pandemic-to-stop-aw-2715768" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Read the full article here.</a>

QSR Magazine: It’s Going To Take More Than a Pandemic To Stop A&W

1851 Franchise

A&W’s CEO Kevin Bazner discusses how the brand’s quality initiative and drive-thru was a major factor in its success throughout the pandemic.

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QSR Magazine: It’s Going To Take More Than a Pandemic To Stop A&W

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