Yum! Sells Iconic A&W Restaurants to A Great American Brand

12/30/2011
A&W Restaurants Inc. has been acquired by A Great American Brand, LLC, a partnership of domestic and international A&W Restaurant franchisees, from YUM! Brands, Inc., the Louisville based chain of fast food brand names.

Kevin Bazner, A&W chief executive officer, who was A&W Restaurants president from 1999 to 2003, announced the transaction from the new A&W headquarters in Lexington, KY. Terms were not disclosed.

“Our new owners, our franchisees, truly believe that A&W can profitably grow sales by focusing our unique positioning in the QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) industry based on our heritage, service, and product quality,” Bazner says.

“We know we can effectively compete in QSR with our relevant line of burgers, sandwiches, desserts, and of course our unique signature made-fresh A&W Draft Root Beer.”

According to Bazner, many A&W Restaurant key support staff were retained under the new ownership, to help insure a smooth transition.

“We have a team of owners and support staff who share a common goal of growing this famous brand,” he said.

Bazner said that they would continue to support all A&W single and multibrand locations. There are currently 1,200 restaurants including 350 international stores in 15 countries and territories.
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