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A&W Restaurants looks to expand in WisconsinA&W Restaurants looks to expand in Wisconsin

Quick-service brand identifies Milwaukee and Madison markets

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

November 14, 2024

1 Min Read
A&W Wisconsin Expansion
A&W Restaurants has identified Wisconson markets for expansion.A&W Restaurants

A&W Restaurants, the quick-service brand, has identified locations in Milwaukee, Wis., and Madison, Wis., for expansion, representatives of the company said Thursday.

The Lexington, Ky.-based brand is looking to open three to five locations in Milwaukee and two to four in Madison, the company said.

“A&W Restaurants continues to grow intentionally by staying true to our roots and value proposition,” Kevin Bazner, CEO of A&W Restaurants, said in a statement. “In the first half of the year, we awarded five agreements and opened four new stores bringing All American favorites to new communities.”

In the third quarter, A&W opened two locations in Walmart stores in Rock Hill, S.C., and Spearfish, S.D. A third restaurant opened at Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville, Iowa.

“The last three months have been marked by more positive growth, and as we enter the last quarter,” Bazner said. “We anticipate positive momentum with the addition of two new stores before the end of year.”

Franchise agreements signed in the third quarter will extend the brand's reach to Darlington, S.C., and Merrill, Wis. The new locations are scheduled to open in early 2025 under the ownership of a new and returning multi-unit franchise partner.

“Milwaukee and Madison present a unique opportunity for us to expand into established communities that still have room to support new businesses,” Bazner said.

Related:A&W Canada teams with Pret A Manger for coffee

A&W Restaurants has more than 55 locations across Wisconsin and more than 850 total restaurants spanning the U.S. and Asia.

A&W Restaurants is owned and operated by a network of franchisees. It has more than 600 single-brand A&Ws and 230 co-branded with KFC or Long John Silver’s.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

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About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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