A&W (Canada)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| A&W | |
 |
|
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1956 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Headquarters | North Vancouver, BC, Canada |
| Key people | Paul F.B. Hollands, President and CEO |
| Industry | Fast food |
| Products | Hamburgers, french fries, onion rings, fried chicken |
| Revenue | $559 million CAD (2005) |
| Employees | 20,000 (2005) |
| Slogan | Celebrating 50 Years |
| Website | www.aw.ca |
A&W is a Canadian fast food restaurant chain. It was originally part of the American A&W chain, but was sold to and operated separately by Unilever. The chain is now owned and operated by A&W Food Services of Canada Inc., based in North Vancouver, British Columbia. It no longer has any connection to the American A&W.
[edit] History
The first Canadian A&W restaurant opened in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1956.[1] The Canadian restaurants were part of the American chain until 1972 when they were sold to Unilever.
In 1975, facing tough competition from the growing Canadian operations of McDonald's, the company launched what was to have been a temporary advertising campaign starring an orange-clad mascot, The Great Root Bear. The bear and the tuba jingle that accompanied him became a long-running campaign. The mascot was so successful that he was eventually adopted as the mascot by the American A&W chain as well.
In the early 1980s, the drive-in style of restaurant was phased out. It was replaced with a modern, pastel-coloured fast food outlet which included healthier options. The last Drive-in style restaurant closed in 1990, in Langley, British Columbia.
In 1995, there was a management buyout of A&W Food Services of Canada Inc.
In the late 1990s, marketing and products began to take on a more retro approach. Former menu items, such as the Burger Family, were re-introduced, and marketing became more targeted toward the baby boomer generation. At the same time, the current restaurant design was introduced. The exterior features bright orange and yellow colours, reminiscent of the 1950s, while the interior is decorated with memorabilia associated with the same period. Existing restaurants were renovated to match the new style.
On February 15, 2002, the A&W Revenue Royalties Income Fund was listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The initial public offering was 8.34 million units at $10 each. The fund owns the A&W trademarks in Canada and licenses them to A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. Revenue is generated by charging a three percent royality on gross sales of each restaurant. There are currently 654 A&W restaurants in Canada. Television advertisements are filmed at the Mission, British Columbia location. In August 2005, the Mission location became well known across Canada after nine employees won a $14.6 million Lotto 649 jackpot.
On the weekend of November 26th and 27th, 2005 residents of Saskatchewan were offered discounts on Mama Burgers and Bacon 'n' Eggers in honour of the province's centennial. From June 12th to 25th, 2006, A&W celebrated 50 years in Canada.
Participating A&W locations offer bi-weekly specials.
[edit] Menu evolution
The original drive-in menu in Canada consisted of hotdogs, hamburgers, potato chips, and A&W Root Beer. Fish and chips and Chubby Chicken were added later. The Burger Family, which includes the Papa, Mama, and Baby Burgers, was introduced in 1959. The Teen Burger was added in 1961. The menu has undergone many changes over the years such as the removal of Fish and Chips and Chubby Chicken, plus the discontinuation of the Burger Family (except the Teen Burger) towards the general hamburger terms. In 1999, after a test-pilot reintroduction of the Papa Burger, the rest of the Burger Family (Mama, Baby, Grandpa) returned to the menu. Chubby Chicken returned as pieces, strips, and burgers in 2001. In late 2005, A&W introduced menu items such as the Garden Greens Tossed Salad, Swiss Veggie Deluxe and Chicken Grill Deluxe, some A&W's offer the option of substituting fries in a combo for the salad at no extra charge.
