The Origins of A&W Root Beer
Roy Allen’s Entrepreneurial Journey
The entrepreneurial spirit runs deep in the U.S. It can be found in products and places across the landscape of Americana, and it can also be found within a frosty mug brimming with ice-cold, creamy root beer. With two distinct letters in an ampersand—A&W—it can stand for America’s favorite root beer. But for Roy Allen, A&W could have stood for what those frothy mugs brought him: a windfall.
As a young man, Allen headed to California in search of a new life and new opportunities. While working in the hotel business, he met a pharmacist who boasted that he had created the perfect formula for root beer. Ever the entrepreneur, Allen purchased the recipe.
The Perfect Root Beer Recipe
In 1919, the town of Lodi, California, welcomed back soldiers returning from World War I with a parade. Allen, joining in the festivities, set up a root beer stand where he sold mugs of his delicious brew for five cents each on a hot summer day.
A&W During Prohibition and Early Growth
Root Beer Sales Soar During Prohibition
That next January, in 1920, Prohibition took effect. Soda sales skyrocketed, especially for root beer—because beer was in the name. Allen’s business began to roll; he opened more stands and sold more root beer.
The First Drive-In Restaurant in California
Allen then teamed up with Frank Wright. They rebranded their drink A&W: “A” for Allen and “W” for Wright. The pair leased a few stands to other operators, allowing them to expand in Sacramento with the opening of its first drive-in restaurant. This location was actually the first-ever drive-in in California. Wright eventually bowed out, leaving Allen in charge once again. He also left his mark, though, because the “W” hung around too.
Franchising and Expansion Across America
Partnering with Frank Wright
By 1925, A&W had restaurants in California, Texas, and Utah. By 1930, there were nearly 200 locations in the West and the Midwest. A&W was the first franchised fast-food chain, allowing owners to use the name and logo, as well as serve the signature drink.
Growing from 200 to 2,000 Locations
To maintain consistency across franchises, Allen created a system of selling the top-secret root beer concentrate to each franchise owner. There was no common menu, no common building, or even common procedures; some franchises even began to sell food. By 1950, when Allen retired and sold his business, there were nearly 450 A&W locations. Just ten years later, in 1960, there were more than 2,000 A&W restaurants.
Iconic Menu Items: Bacon Cheeseburgers and More
Introducing the Bacon Cheeseburger
In 1963, A&W chairman Dave Mulder added a new item to the menu: the bacon cheeseburger. That’s right—A&W can be credited with creating this delicious addition to the American culinary landscape.
Root Beer in Bottles and Cans
In 1971, A&W root beer became available in bottles and cans, making it even more accessible to the public. Restaurants, however, continued to make their root beer fresh in each store daily. There was a short stint of using concentrate to save both money and space, but that experiment was short-lived. The company switched back to brewing fresh batches of its special blend of herbs, bark, spices, and berries.
A&W’s Commitment to Veterans
National Root Beer Float Day
Allen’s first customers were American soldiers and their families during that homecoming parade. The commitment to American veterans has remained strong. Every year on August 6th, A&W hosts National Root Beer Float Day. The chain serves up free root beer floats, asking for donations to support the Disabled American Veterans, a non-profit organization that helps veterans with job placement, doctor visits, and other helpful resources.
A&W’s Legacy: 100 Years of Americana
Celebrating the 100th Anniversary
A&W celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019, making it older than even sliced bread, which didn’t come on the scene until 1928. Over a million gallons of A&W root beer are consumed each year worldwide. California still holds the top spot for the most A&W restaurants, followed by Wisconsin and then Michigan.
Continuing to Charm Taste Buds Today
A&W has survived for over 100 years and continues to thrive today. The classic root beer float and juicy bacon cheeseburgers are American food icons. In those two capital letters—A&W—icons in their own right, the brand continues to charm taste buds every day.
