Photo: file / provided.
A&W Restaurants will soon open franchise restaurants in two of America’s fastest growing regions – Charlotte, North Carolina and Las Vegas, Nevada. It also adds a location in St. Louis, Missouri, to the nine agreements the brand signed for new restaurants nationally this year, in addition to the current 900+ locations in the US and Asia, one said new press release.
In fact, A & W’s sales in the first half of 2021 were up 19.6% nationwide from 2020, making the brand the ninth straight year of revenue growth. Since it was taken over by franchisees nearly 10 years ago, A&W Comp sales have grown by more than 50%.
In Las Vegas, real estate developers Mike Swecker and Alan Perlmutter signed an agreement to open five restaurants in Clark County, Nevada, which includes Las Vegas, Henderson and other fast-growing cities. In addition, experienced multi-unit restaurant operators Ronald and Nadyne Jennings will build three locations in the Charlotte region of North Carolina, including one each in Gastonia and Kings Mountain in North Carolina and one in the Rock Hill region, South Carolina. The franchisees are also currently franchise owners of Schlotzky’s and Moe’s Southwest Grill.
Long-time franchisees from the St. Louis area, Jim Sill and Jim Sprick, are expanding their A&W portfolio with the conversion of a former McDonald’s in Arnold, Missouri, near St. Louis. They are also converting a former bank building in Belleville, Illinois into an A&W, which will be their eighth A&W.
“Both new and existing franchisees recognize that A&W offers a unique opportunity,” said Kevin Bazner, CEO of A&W, in the press release. “A&W is incredibly popular with consumers and the concept is great for conversions and C-stores that make setting up a location faster and cheaper.” he added.
The search for locations is ongoing, with restaurants expected to include a mix of remodeling, C-stores, and new build. All new A & Ws are single-brand locations with drive-thrus.
“Unlike many other QSR chains that are overbuilt, we have a lot of white space in markets of all sizes.” said Bazner.
Now in its 102nd year, A&W is America’s first franchise restaurant chain. It is based in Lexington, Kentucky.
