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

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 A&W, the iconic, century-old American-Food franchise  — and the very first quick-service restaurant in Howard Lake — at 620 Dutch Lake Drive.

1851 Franchise: 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. 

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&W? 

Rollins: I didn't want to open a restaurant that's everywhere. For example, Subways are everywhere —  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&W just made sense physically and financially for us and our town.

1851: What could have scared you away? 

Rollins: 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 —  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? 

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. 

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.  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.