1851

Dave and Sandy Rollins are well-known business owners in the small town of Howard Lake, Minnesota. Soon, they will also be the town’s first fast-food franchise owners.In May, the Rollins will open their&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/awrestaurants">A&amp;W</a>, the iconic, century-old American-Food franchise&nbsp; — and the very first quick-service restaurant in Howard Lake — at 620 Dutch Lake Drive.1851 Franchise:&nbsp;What did you do before franchising?Dave Rollins: I’m originally from Ohio, and my wife and I moved to Minnesota 20 years ago because my brother and his kids are all here. We wanted to be around the lakes and raise our own kids here. I went to school to be a pastor and worked at a few churches, followed by working in a lumber yard and in a supply chain role. However, for the last six years, we have owned a combined coffee shop and gas station in town, The Pit Stop.&nbsp;1851: How did you perform your research/due diligence?Rollins: I hired a business planner to help us get organized. Also, our oldest son has been instrumental in helping us run our current businesses. If it weren’t for him, we wouldn’t be in the successful position we are now to start another business venture.1851: What made you say "yes" to A&amp;W?&nbsp;Rollins: I didn't want to open a restaurant that's everywhere. For example, Subways are everywhere —&nbsp; I wanted to open a restaurant that you can’t find in every town and city. Our town of 2,000 people is just too small for large franchises to consider building here. Looking at larger franchise opportunities, you’re also looking at larger, more expensive investments. A&amp;W just made sense physically and financially for us and our town.1851: What could have scared you away?&nbsp;Rollins:&nbsp;We might have been scared away from franchising if the initial investment had been out of our budget. We will be the only food franchise in the town —&nbsp; it’s not like we are being scared away from major competitors at this time. We are ready to get up and running as soon as possible.1851: What makes you stand out as a unique business owner in the local community?Rollins: It’s a small town, and everybody knows everybody. We are lucky to have great customers and a supportive community. Our name is well-known around town for our services at the gas station, coffee shop and auto shop. We will definitely be unique in terms of being the only fast food restaurant available. Between the restaurant and the coffee shop, the community will know we have a place for them to gather and enjoy food and company.1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Rollins: We want to create a space where community members and visitors have a place to eat good food, drink coffee and relax. We want to provide the residents of our town with a restaurant that is close by.&nbsp;1851: What do you do in your personal time?Rollins: Outside of running my businesses, my biggest hobbies are fishing and boating, and I enjoy spending time with my family. My wife and I have been married for 37 years, and we have two sons and a daughter. They’ve helped with our business ventures from the start, so we’re together a lot of the time.&nbsp; I also love spending time with my four grandchildren.1851: What is the one thing about your story that you want us to know?Rollins: Over the past decade, there have been a lot of changes in my personal and professional life. In 2011, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. After two years of treatment, surgeries, and three years of recovery, I’m glad to say I’m a cancer survivor. Another cool story is that our gas station sold a million-dollar lottery ticket in 2017. That was a cool experience being in the spotlight and having all the major media outlets come out to cover the story.

The Winning Franchisee | Cancer Survivor Sells Million-Dollar Lottery Ticket and Opens Howard Lake's First-Ever Fast-Food Restaurant with A&W

1851 Franchise

Dave and Sandy Rollins are branching out from the gas station they’ve owned for six years to introduce the iconic franchise brand to Howard Lake.

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

the-winning-franchisee-cancer-survivor-sells-million-dollar-lottery-ticket-and-opens-howard-lakes-first-ever-fast-food-restaurant-with-aw

Children's Lighthouse

Why Children’s Lighthouse Is a Great Opportunity for Swim School Franchisees

why-childrens-lighthouse-is-a-great-opportunity-for-swim-school-franchisees

Children’s Lighthouse Closes the Third Quarter with Record Franchise Signings and New School Opening

childrenslighthouse-q3-2025-growth

Pet Wants

How Pet Wants Is Redefining the Customer Experience in the Pet Industry

pet-wants-redefining-customer-experience

Jollibee

How Much Can You Really Make With a Jollibee Franchise? Inside the Numbers of Item 19

how-much-can-you-really-make-with-a-jollibee-franchise-inside-the-numbers-of-item-19

United Water Restoration Group

United Water Restoration Group Opens New Locations and Expands Digital Tools in Q3

united-water-restoration-group-franchise-q3-2025

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 jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

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

graphic image of an 1851 franchisee spotlight brayden and johnny steven of teriyaki madness

Father-and-Daughter Team Bring Teriyaki Madness to Wichita, Kansas, With Big Expansion Plans

johnny-brayden-steven-teriyaki-madness-wichita

1851 Franchisee Spotlight with photo of Mike Rippey and Sola Salons logo

How This Former Franchisor Is Using His Industry Experience To Help Beauty Pros Thrive With Sola Salons Franchise

mike-rippey-sola-salons-franchisee

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

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

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

The Winning Franchisee | Cancer Survivor Sells Million-Dollar Lottery Ticket and Opens Howard Lake's First-Ever Fast-Food Restaurant with A&W

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS