Remember those good old days when a frosty mug of A&W root beer was the perfect treat on a scorching summer day? You and I both know there’s something special about sipping on that sweet, icy beverage while enjoying the company of family and friends. So, grab your favorite lawn chair, and let’s take a walk down memory lane to the time when A&W was the talk of the town.
The year is 1919, and Roy Allen opened his first roadside root beer stand in Lodi, California. A welcoming parade for World War I veterans was happening, and Roy’s ice-cold root beer was the ideal refreshment for a hot summer night. Soon after, in 1922, Roy partnered with an employee named Frank Wright, and A&W was born, a combination of their initials. The dynamic duo leased their stands to other operators, expanding their business into new cities.
By 1924, Roy had bought out Frank, and A&W became the first restaurant in America to sell franchises. Can you believe that? The franchisee got to choose the food for their menu, while Roy supplied the iconic frosted mugs filled with root beer. Oh, how we adored those frosty mugs!
The post-World War II boom saw A&W continue to grow, and in 1950, Roy retired and sold the company. Fast forward to 1963, and a franchise in Lansing, Michigan, added a bacon cheeseburger to their menu after countless requests. A&W is now credited with inventing the bacon cheeseburger – that’s right, folks, you can thank A&W for that mouth-watering classic!
In 1971, A&W root beer made its way to grocery store shelves nationwide, but the 1970s also brought challenges due to consistency in each franchise’s operations. A realignment and new franchise agreement were introduced, but many original franchise owners still needed to agree to the terms, allowing their agreements with A&W to expire.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, A&W switched ownership and modernized to compete with other chains. They even merged with other chains like Long John Silver’s, KFC, and Taco Bell! In 2011, A&W was sold again to a group of franchise owners called A Great American Brand, who now operate about 1,000 restaurants across various countries.
And here’s a fun fact: in 2019, A&W became the first restaurant franchise to turn 100 years old! Now that’s a century of frosty root beer goodness.
So, my friend, before you head over to watch the video about A&W, remember the sweet taste of that ice-cold root beer in a frosted mug and the feeling of community that made A&W so special. Share the memories with others because those moments of nostalgia are worth cherishing.
