Latest news with #A&WRestaurants
USA Today
6 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
A&W Restaurants offers free root beer floats on National Root Beer Float Day
National Root Beer Float Day is celebrated every year on Aug. 6 and one restaurant chain is offering customers a sweet deal on the day. A&W Restaurants said in a July 30 news release that customers can visit participating locations from 2-8 p.m. local time today and get a free small root beer float, no purchase necessary. The company says its root beer float is made fresh with its signature root beer and rich, creamy vanilla soft serve. Additionally, the company has partnered with Disabled American Veterans, a nonprofit that provides resources and services to veterans and their families. Customers are encouraged to make a voluntary donation or purchase a commemorative, limited-edition collector's mug. Every dollar raised through donations and mug sales directly benefits DAV, helping veterans access healthcare, employment assistance, and transportation to medical appointments, among other services, according to A&W Restaurants. The mugs are available through Aug. 6 and will cost $10. This year's mug features Rooty the Great Root Bear, A&W's mascot. "National Root Beer Float Day is one of our favorite days of the year, because not only do we love putting smiles on our guests' faces with free treats, but we proudly give back to the people who have bravely served our country," said Betsy Schmandt, CEO and President of A&W Restaurants, in a news release. To find an A&W location near you and to learn more about National Root Beer Float Day, customers can visit More news: Krispy Kreme's Pumpkin Spice Menu: See the doughnuts, lattes coming in August How many A&W locations are there? According to the chain, it operates over 850 locations across 35 U.S. states and Asia, of which over 600 are single-brand A&Ws and 230 are co-branded with KFC or Long John Silver's. The chain is known for its root beer, which it says is based on the original 1919 recipe and made fresh in each restaurant with real cane sugar, water, and a proprietary blend of herbs, bark, spices, and berries served in a frosty mug. A&W's food menu features items such as burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, cheese curds, and French fries, among other items. Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iconic All-American Restaurant Chain Plans to Open 3 More Locations–Here's Where
Iconic All-American Restaurant Chain Plans to Open 3 More Locations–Here's Where originally appeared on Parade. A&W Restaurants, the 105-year-old all-American-style restaurant chain, announced that it has plans to expand and open up at least three more stores in the near future. The exciting news comes a little over one week after A&W, which now operates over 850 locations worldwide, debuted its newest storefront and its first in the city of Darlington, S.C., on June 4. But it won't be the last grand opening the state sees, as A&W said it wants to open at least three more in the area "over the next few years." Related: The news of A&W's expansion is the shimmer of light in the dark tunnel of bad news from several other legendary franchises struggling financially and have either filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy or announced mass closures. "A&W Restaurants has become part of communities across the country by serving classic all-American food and offering a welcoming, hometown experience," CEO and president of A&W Restaurants Betsy Schmandt said in a June 12 statement, adding, "We're committed to helping franchise owners build something lasting, something they can be proud to pass down for generations." As for where exactly the chain wants to open up shop, it may be too early to tell as A&W is still seeking potential franchise partners. That said, the company is eyeing the capital city of Columbia and other areas nearby. "We see tremendous potential in Columbia and its neighboring cities, where passionate, community-driven entrepreneurs can help us continue our legacy of bringing people together," the exec concluded. Next: Iconic All-American Restaurant Chain Plans to Open 3 More Locations–Here's Where first appeared on Parade on Jun 13, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A&W Restaurants Announces Strategic Franchise Expansion in Columbia, South Carolina and Neighboring Cities
Legacy brand known for its all-American food identifies Columbia and surrounding cities as prime markets for continued growth LEXINGTON, Ky., June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A&W Restaurants, an all-American QSR with more than 105 years of experience in business and serving communities, announced today its strategic plans to expand the brand's presence across Columbia, South Carolina and into the neighboring cities, including Darlington. A&W's expansion into Colombia presents aspiring local entrepreneurs with the opportunity to grow alongside a heritage brand and bring a proven business model into their own communities. Columbia, South Carolina, is a prime location for business expansion, driving strong economic performance and GDP growth compared to other states nationally. This economic shift and increased population growth have fueled steady demand for housing, retail and dining throughout Columbia and surrounding areas. The growing population is naturally creating opportunities for businesses to serve this growing customer base. A&W's expansion plans include various new territories for single and multiple-unit development and provide up to 100 new job opportunities per location. This dynamic market presents an ideal opportunity for franchise owners and customers who value familiar, high-quality dining options. "A&W Restaurants has become part of communities across the country by serving classic all-American food and offering a welcoming, hometown experience," said Betsy Schmandt, CEO and president of A&W Restaurants. "At A&W, we're committed to helping franchise owners build something lasting, something they can be proud to pass down for generations. We see tremendous potential in Columbia and its neighboring cities, where passionate, community-driven entrepreneurs can help us continue our legacy of bringing people together." A&W restaurant is actively expanding its footprint in South Carolina with plans to open three locations over the next few years. The brand first arrived in the state when local franchisees opened their Rock Hill location in 2023. The city of Darlington welcomed its first A&W on June 4, 2025. With more than 850 locations worldwide, A&W's expansion reflects the company's commitment to partner with local entrepreneurs who share the brand's values of quality, service and community. A&W Restaurants is seeking potential franchise partners in Columbia, South Carolina, who are passionate about their communities and care about delivering exceptional service to guests with the support of an iconic family brand. Join a trusted franchise with more than 105 years of experience backed by a team with a proven track record for support, growth and innovation in helping businesses become generational legacies and community staples. The minimum investment level to own a franchise is $300K in liquid assets and a total net worth of $700K. To learn more about franchising with A&W Restaurants, visit our franchise website here. About A&W Restaurants: A&W Restaurants, one of the world's best-known and most beloved quick-service brands, is experiencing a dramatic revival as more Americans discover – or rediscover – its famous Root Beer and high-quality All American Food® favorites. Based on the original 1919 recipe, A&W's signature Root Beer is made fresh in each restaurant with real cane sugar, water, and a proprietary blend of herbs, bark, spices, and berries and served in a frosty mug. Founded over 100 years ago, A&W Restaurants has over 850 locations in 35 U.S. states and Asia, of which over 600 are single-brand A&Ws and 230 are co-branded with KFC or Long John Silver's. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE A&W Restaurants Errore nel recupero dei dati Effettua l'accesso per consultare il tuo portafoglio Errore nel recupero dei dati Errore nel recupero dei dati Errore nel recupero dei dati Errore nel recupero dei dati
Cision Canada
12-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Introducing the Steakhouse Teen Burger™, a sweet and smoky twist on A&W's iconic Teen Burger
For a limited time, the Canadian Classic is all dressed up for barbecue season. VANCOUVER, BC, May 12, 2025 /CNW/ - A&W is introducing a new limited-time offer you won't want to miss: meet the new Steakhouse Teen Burger. Crafted with a mouthwatering sweet and savoury twist, this new recipe creates a bold experience for all Teen Burger lovers. This irresistible steakhouse-inspired burger also comes in its equally tasty sidekick, the Steakhouse Buddy Burger™, for just $4.99. Introducing a Steakhouse Twist to the Teen Burger Enjoy the sweet and smoky notes of bacon jam, the rich creaminess of peppercorn aioli, and the fresh bite of arugula, all working in harmony with the Teen Burger's classic ingredients: real cheddar cheese, fresh tomatoes, and of course, A&W's juicy grass-fed beef raised without hormones or steroids. A Winning Teen! A&W explored over 50 recipes of the A&W classic, such as the Everything Bagel Teen Burger, Cacio e Pepe Teen Burger, and even a Chocolate Teen Burger. These ideas were shared with over 700 Canadian burger lovers where the recipes were ranked by craveability. The Steakhouse Teen Burger emerged as the top craveable recipe by burger lovers. The A&W Menu Development team worked on bringing this winning recipe to life by sourcing the quality ingredients that would embody steakhouse flavours. "Bacon jam offers sweet and smoky notes, so we kept that as our hero ingredient in this new Steakhouse Teen Burger recipe," says Karan Suri, Senior Director, Innovation at A&W. "It pairs beautifully with the savoury depth of the new peppercorn aioli and the vibrant, peppery crunch of the fresh arugula that we added. These ingredients are going to bring that true steakhouse taste to our guests." Burger lovers ranked this as their favourite new Teen Burger concept, and now you can try it for yourself! Get the new Steakhouse Teen Burger*, available for a limited time at A&W Restaurants or through the A&W mobile app. And try the new Steakhouse Buddy Burger* for just $4.99. *Not available in Quebec. About A&W Canada A&W is Canada's original burger chain with over 1,070+ restaurants that are proudly Canadian-owned and operated. Home of The Burger Family, we are known for delicious classics like the Teen Burger, hand-battered Onion Rings and A&W Root Beer. You can enjoy our craveworthy burgers, breakfasts and beverages at one of our restaurants across the country. For more information, please visit
Business Insider
01-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
I converted a 110-year-old ship into a beachfront hotel on Indonesia's shores. Here's how I did it.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Eric Saw, the 73-year-old founder of Doulos Phos The Ship Hotel, in Bintan, Indonesia. It has been edited for length and clarity. I used to bring my children aboard the MV Doulos, a 430-foot-long ship belonging to a Christian missionary, when it would dock on Singapore's shores. It had spent 33 years as a floating library sailing around the world. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that one day we would become owners of this vessel, or that I would convert it into a hotel on the shores of Indonesia. In 2010, I bought the MV Doulos, which had earned the Guinness World Record for being the world's oldest active ocean-going passenger ship. It was built in Texas in 1914, just two years after the Titanic sank. From 1914 to 1948, it operated as a cargo ship carrying onions. I often joke to my guests that we found a few sacks of onions when we bought the ship and still make onion soup from them. When I bought the vessel, it was 96 years old. Here's how I turned it into an oceanfront hotel while preserving its century-old history. Not my first rodeo with ships My first experience with ships came in 2000 when I bought a riverboat, which at that time belonged to A&W Restaurants. I bought that and converted it into a floating Tex-Mex restaurant on the shores of Sentosa, an island off Singapore known for its luxury hotels, amusement parks, and beaches. When I heard that MV Doulos was up for sale in 2010, I saw it as a sign to do something bigger. I was not the only bidder for the ship. A mix of private companies, militaries, and scrapyards from China, South Africa, South Korea, India, and the Philippines made offers for it. As luck would have it, I won the bid. But that is where the real challenges started. I didn't realize just how big this project would get. Finding its final resting place in Bintan, Indonesia I first wanted to dock it off the coast of Singapore. I placed it in a shipyard, hoping that within three months, I would get approval from the port authorities. I bargained with government agencies for permission to place it off the island's scenic east coast. Three months turned into three and a half years. I submitted six to seven proposals to various authorities without success. In the meantime, I bled money docking and maintaining the ship in a shipyard. Finally, I struck gold. My friend gave me the number of Frans Gunara, a hotel developer from Bintan, Indonesia. I met him for a dinner presentation and put forth my case. He said that he would not only give him a spot off of Bintan to dock the ship but also reclaim a piece of land to dry berth it, which would protect it from water damage. But I decided to go a little further. I told Frans, "I don't want a rectangular piece of land. I want an anchor-shaped island." Retrofitting the ship There was much to be done after the ship had been placed on Bintan's shores, on its anchor-shaped piece of reclaimed land. The innards of the ship, the cabins, were dingy and small. It was clean, but definitely not at hotel standards — not even a backpackers' hotel. So my family and I sat down and planned. I drew the design of the tables, the interiors, and the outdoor space. I drew out how the poolside would look and where you would go down to do the mud flat walk at low tide. I passed the drawings to the contractors, and they started constructing. Most of the ship was gutted and entirely retrofitted. When we removed the ship's bulkheads, which in ocean-going ships reduce damage in the case of flooding, we had to reinforce the structure and other cladding to protect the boat. The cabins were widened, and we added larger windows to let in views of the Bintan shores. The interiors were designed with a nod to its maritime history. After renovation, we finally opened our doors to guests in 2019. Doulos Phos The Ship Hotel has 105 cabins, an infinity swimming pool overlooking the sea, a gym, a spa center, and several eateries. It took nearly 10 years to restore MV Doulos and get it into operation, but I saw the project as a higher calling — and it was entirely worth it.
