Growth Club
1851 Growth Club
%2Fstory1%2F2715952%2F045dfd09cbecfff5741faa9171e82ec48441_544x306.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
CNBC: A&W Restaurants CEO on What’s Driving Americans to Fast-Casual Dining in Bigger Numbers
Kevin Bazner discusses how the 102-year-old brand was able to pivot during the pandemic and see a sales increase across the country as a result.
In an interview with CNBC, A&W CEO Kevin Bazner discussed how the brand adapted when the pandemic hit by focusing on off-premise services such as drive-thru and curbside delivery. Bazner explained how A&W was able to convert its legacy restaurants’ drive-in stalls into pickup locations, which allowed the brand to see an increase in sales less than two months into the pandemic. In addition, A&W expanded delivery services. As a result, the brand saw its ninth year of growth with a 9.7% average sales increase across standalone models in 2020.
A&W also provided franchisees with exceptional support throughout the pandemic. It not only suspended franchising and advertising fees, but corporate also helped franchisees navigate the PPP process. A&W has 500-plus units, including 300 standalone restaurants.
%2Fstory1%2F2726742%2F6f8228309f94bd1dbe684f9ebafa38008020_544x306.jpg&w=640&q=75)
%2Fstory1%2F2726564%2F7fc0ac4c32c5b5527191de0cf1b451cf4184_544x306.jpg&w=640&q=75)
%2Fstory1%2F2726683%2F8a253f47780cfad974e02bea2523156d9179_544x306.jpg&w=640&q=75)
%2Fstory1%2F2725490%2F2daf2d3c7b3deac863c74e99a96cb2f76780_544x306.jpg&w=640&q=75)
%2Fstory1%2F2726826%2Fd62af7f02fb4c776674e5a7bee6e25e95450_544x306.jpg&w=640&q=75)
%2Fstory1%2F2726814%2F444c7194e0a7500ed060a4276df0fa187556_544x306.jpg&w=640&q=75)
%2Fstory1%2F2726778%2F2b0cc74f0bdea722add2193af5bfb6675818_544x306.jpg&w=640&q=75)
%2Fstory1%2F2726854%2F3d760198ee9c44542c957f5fc1736bc84364_854x480.jpg&w=640&q=75)
%2Fstory1%2F2726851%2F7f9af5474cb5abea98b544edabf712724096_854x480.jpg&w=640&q=75)
%2Fstory1%2F2726846%2F0a8cd0d4aa96821087f4538cdff993296797_854x480.jpg&w=640&q=75)
%2Fstory1%2F2726844%2F2df74433d5ea410069d24477a72c28ed5508_854x480.jpg&w=640&q=75)
