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

Sola Salons

Photo of Sola Salons lobby with multiple blue chairs and tall plant

Tailored Support: How Sola Salons' Franchise Business Consultants Drive Local Success

franchise-business-consultants-localized-support

Seniors Helping Seniors®

Seniors Helping Seniors - Georgia Expansion - Buckhead and Chamblee - 1851 Franchise

Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Care Services Expands in Georgia With New Locations in Buckhead and Chamblee

seniors-helping-seniors-expands-in-georgia

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Photo of Layne's tenders and sandwich with backdrop of Layne's restaurant

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Celebrates Inaugural Franchisee Conference

laynes-chicken-fingers-franchisee-conference-2025

Mathnasium

Why Teachers Make Great Mathnasium Learning Centers Franchisees

why-teachers-make-great-mathnasium-learning-centers-franchisees

Photo of exterior of Sola Salons location

Sola Salons Targets Additional Texas Growth in Multiple Major Markets

sola-salons-texas-expansion-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 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

How New Tariffs Are Causing Price Hikes and Surcharges for U.S. Businesses and Franchises - 1851

Tariffs Prompt Price Hikes, Surcharges as Businesses (and Franchises) Brace for Rising Costs 

tariffs-prompt-price-hikes-surcharges

Pizza Hut - EYM Group - Chapter 11 Bankruptcy - 77 Pizza Hut Locations Sold - 1851 Franchise

77 Pizza Hut Locations Sold After Franchisee Bankruptcy Filing

pizza-hut-franchisee-bankruptcy-eym-group

Jersey Mike's - Blackstone - Global Growth - 1851 Franchise

Jersey Mike’s Ramps Up Global Growth Following Blackstone Acquisition

jersey-mikes-blackstone-growth

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

FAT Brands Becomes First Restaurant Franchise To Accept Bitcoin for Royalty Payments

fat-brands-becomes-first-restaurant-franchise-to-accept-bitcoin-for-royalty-payments

Florida Franchisee Reflects on Success and Growth with Sylvan Learning

florida-franchisee-reflects-on-success-and-growth-with-sylvan-learning

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Amanda Moore and USA Ninja Challenge logo

Neonatal ICU Nurse’s Passion for Caring for Children Led Her to Franchise With USA Ninja Challenge

usa-ninja-challenge-amanda-moore-franchise

franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Venetya Evans and Sylvan Learning logo

IT Leader Celebrates One Year of Sylvan Learning in Simi Valley: A Passion for Education and Technology Drives Her Mission to Help Students Succeed

it-leader-celebrates-one-year-of-sylvan-learning-in-simi-valley

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

Lindora’s New President Discusses Franchise Growth and the Future of Health and Wellness

lindoras-new-president-discusses-franchise-growth-and-the-future-of-health-and-wellness

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