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

Strategic Franchising

The Biggest Benefits of Owning a Home-Based Franchise

the-benefits-of-owning-a-home-based-franchise

Minuteman Press International

Minuteman Press Franchise Owner Tim Lorman (right) accepts Top Overall Performance Award.

Minuteman Press Franchise Review: Tim Lorman Talks Career Change From Real Estate to Printing in Denver, CO

minuteman-press-franchise-review-from-real-estate-to-printing-in-denver-co

Shuckin' Shack

Photo of Shuckin' Shack team member and guests in restaurant

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar Enters Q3 With 3 Openings on the Horizon, Growing Buzz Around Upcoming Fresh & Raw Tour

shuckin-shack-2025-growth

Pet Wants

The Power of Personalization: How Custom Nutrition Plans Drive Business Success at Pet Wants

the-power-of-personalization-how-custom-nutrition-plans-drive-business-success-at-pet-wants

Griswold

Griswold Franchisee Beth Copeland Featured in Entrepreneur Magazine

griswold-franchisee-beth-copeland-featured-in-entrepreneur-magazine

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

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

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

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

Young Entrepreneur Parth Patel Is Bringing Paris Baguette to the Cleveland Area

young-entrepreneur-parth-patel-is-bringing-paris-baguette-to-the-cleveland-area

graphic for a spotlight from 1851 franchise featuring Kevin Rarick from caring transitions

Army Veteran Returns Home To Launch Caring Transitions Franchise in Reading, Pennsylvania

kevin-rarick-caring-transitions-reading-pa

Design with school-aged child standing on pencil with text "Education Franchises" and "<$500K"

Top Education Franchises Under $500K To Explore in 2025

top-education-franchises-under-500k

Hardee’s Lawsuit Highlights the Risk of Going Off-Model in Franchising

hardees-franchise-lawsuit-paradigm-investment-group

Cleaning Franchises Offer Stability and Scalability in a Changing Economic Landscape

cleaning-franchises-offer-stability-and-scalability-in-a-changing-economic-landscape

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