A&W Restaurants Unveils New Design to Attract Customers and Franchisees

The fast-food chain A&W Restaurants has unveiled a new design for its restaurants, aiming to attract more customers and franchisees. The new prototype is designed to blend "functionality with an exceptional dine-in experience," according to the company.

The Lexington, Kentucky-based chain's newest prototype is flexible and can be adapted to different types of real estate. It ranges from 2,200- to 2,800-square feet and has seating for up to 70 customers. The design will serve as the chain's foundation for future development and expansion.

A&W is one of the oldest restaurant brands in the country and was the first to serve handcrafted beverages in every location. The company is working to build on its beverage legacy, with more innovation around its root beer. For instance, the company currently offers a Caramel Dirty Root Beer and a Caramel Root Beer Cream Freeze.

"This new restaurant design represents the future of A&W while staying true to everything our guests have loved about the brand for more than a century," said Betsy Schmandt, CEO of A&W, in a statement. She noted that the company is "doubling down on what always set us apart: handcrafted quality, genuine hospitality, and meaningful connections with the communities we serve."

A&W operates just over 400 U.S. locations, almost all of which are franchised. System sales declined 4% last year to $251 million, according to data from NRN sibling company Technomic.

## A&W's New Design Features

The new design of A&W's restaurants is designed to be flexible and adaptable to different types of real estate. It ranges from 2,200- to 2,800-square feet and has seating for up to 70 customers.

| Size | Square Feet | Seating Capacity | | --- | --- | --- | | | 2,200-2,800 | up to 70 |

The design will serve as the chain's foundation for future development and expansion, and is designed to tap into A&W's long heritage as one of the oldest restaurant brands in the country.

## A&W's Beverage Legacy

A&W is working to build on its beverage legacy, with more innovation around its root beer. For instance, the company currently offers a Caramel Dirty Root Beer and a Caramel Root Beer Cream Freeze.

The company's focus on handcrafted quality, genuine hospitality, and meaningful connections with the communities it serves is at the heart of its new design. As Betsy Schmandt, CEO of A&W, noted, "This new restaurant design represents the future of A&W while staying true to everything our guests have loved about the brand for more than a century.