1851

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.

qsr-magazine-its-going-to-take-more-than-a-pandemic-to-stop-aw

Wild Bill's Craft Beverage Company

Wild Bill's Franchise - Top 10 Reasons To Invest - 1851 Franchise

The Top 10 Reasons To Invest in Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co.

wild-bills-franchise-10-reasons-to-invest

KidStrong Franchising, LLC

KidStrong Franchising - Why Michael Reyes Walked Away from a High-Powered Sales Career - 1851

Why Michael Reyes Walked Away from a High-Powered Sales Career to Build KidStrong Centers

kidstrong-franchise-michael-reyes

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

Keke's Breakfast Cafe Franchise - Target Market Raleigh/Durham - 1851 Franchise

Opportunity Is Served: Keke’s Breakfast Cafe Seeks to Expand Into Raleigh-Durham with Local Franchise Partners

kekes-breakfast-cafe-franchise-expansion-raleigh-durham

Mosquito Squad Plus

Buzz-Free Growth: How Mosquito Squad Helps Franchisees Scale Faster with a Royalty-Free First Year

buzz-free-growth-how-mosquito-squad-helps-franchisees-scale-faster-with-a-royalty-free-first-year

United Water Restoration Group

How United Water Restoration Group Creates Lasting Client Relationships by Prioritizing Trust and Quality Service in Restoration

how-united-water-restoration-group-creates-lasting-client-relationships-by-prioritizing-trust-and-quality-service-in-restoration

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

Thursday 1851 Franchise Agg - NASAA’s Noncompete Push

NASAA’s Noncompete Push Puts Franchise Growth on Uncertain Ground

franchise-noncompete-nasaa-advisory-reasonableness-standard

How a Steady Economy Could Help Franchisors Plan Their Next Move

how-a-steady-economy-could-help-franchisors-plan-their-next-move

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

U.S. Government Shutdown - Impact on Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Government Shutdown Stalls SBA Loans: How the Shutdown Could Impact Franchises

government-shutdown-impacts-sba-loans-tourism-franchises

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

image of mellow mushroom deep dive into financials article from 1851 franchise

Mellow Mushroom Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

mellow-mushroom-franchise-deep-dive

How goGLOW Turned Clean Beauty Into a Scalable Franchise and Why It’s Accelerating Now

goglow-clean-beauty-tanning-franchise

Shoot 360 Aims for the Topgolf Model, Using Elite Basketball Tech to Appeal to Players '7 to 70'

shoot-360-franchise-growth-tech-basketball-brad-butterworth

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025

early-childhood-education-child-care-franchises

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Barb Volk and KidStrong logo

Why This Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner Is Developing KidStrong Franchises

kidstrong-franchise-owner-barb-volk-2025

Top Education Franchises To Consider for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Education Franchises To Consider Investing In for 2025

top-education-franchises-investment-opportunities

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

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

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS