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

Be a Community Hero: How TruBlue Franchisees Are Changing Lives Beyond Business

be-a-community-hero-how-trublue-franchisees-are-changing-lives-beyond-business

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions Wraps Up Record-Breaking Q3 With National TV Launches, Platform Growth and Key Leadership Promotion

caring-transitions-wraps-up-record-breaking-q3-with-national-tv-launches-platform-growth-and-key-leadership-promotion

SweatHouz

SweatHouz SWTHZ Franchise - Hunter and Mallory Mitchem - Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

From Aerospace to Wellness: Hunter Mitchem’s Journey to a SweatHouz Empire

sweathouz-franchise-hunter-mitchem-6g

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

Onigilly - Low Operating Costs Drive High Returns for Franchisees - 1851 Franchise

Maximize Your ROI: How Onigilly’s Low Operating Costs Drive High Returns for Franchisees

onigilly-franchise-fast-casual-franchise-opportunity

Layne's Chicken Fingers

What Is the Layne’s Franchise Disclosure Document, and What Will I Find in It?

laynes-franchise-disclosure-document

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

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

Subway Franchisees Resist Expensive Remodel Directives

subway-franchisees-resist-expensive-remodel-directives

The American Franchise Act: What It Means for Franchisors and Franchisees - 1851 Franchise

The American Franchise Act: What It Means for Franchisors and Franchisees

american-franchise-act-joint-employer-standard

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

How Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop Has Expanded Into One of the Restaurant Industry’s Most Exciting Franchise Opportunities

meet-the-franchisor-capriottis-david-bloom

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

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

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 Arts and Creative Learning Franchises for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Arts and Creative Learning Franchises for 2025

top-arts-creative-learning-franchises

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