News

A&W throws hat into better burger, fast casual ring

April 15, 2013

For a brand that's been around about 94 years, A&W has made many big changes just within the past year and a half since divesting from Yum! Brands.

Now the Lexington, Ky.-based company is also testing a new concept all together. According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, A&W Restaurants will test a fast casual unit later this year in its hometown that will be similar to the Five Guys and Smashburgers of the industry.

Liz Bazner, A&W's social and digital communications strategist, told the publication the test will be another option for the company which hopes to capitalize on the "exploding" better burger, fast casual growth. The concept will include made-to-order burgers and will be company owned.

No A&W restaurants will be converted for the test, and co-branded units with KFC and Long John Silver's will remain intact.

The company is currently referring to the test concept as A&W 2.0, although a different name will be used when it opens.

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