Author Archives: Juliette Schmerler

On August 22, 2024, A&W proudly celebrated the 16th annual Burgers to Beat MS Day, marking yet another year of dedicated efforts to support Canadians living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This day has become a cornerstone of A&W’s commitment to raising funds and awareness for MS, a cause close to the company’s heart.

For every Teen Burger sold on this special day, $2 was donated to MS Canada. These donations are vital in providing support to individuals and families affected by MS, as well as funding crucial research aimed at eliminating the disease. While the final tally for 2024 is still being calculated, early estimates indicate that around $1.6 million was raised for the second consecutive year—a testament to the generosity and support of franchisees and guests.

In 2023, together with partners and the incredible people who visited A&W restaurants, an impressive $1.6 million was raised. Over the years, A&W’s partnership with MS Canada has resulted in over $20 million raised. This incredible sum has funded various essential initiatives, including the MS Knowledge Network, which offers vital resources in both French and English, and nearly $10 million in annual research funding. Additionally, through the Quality of Life Equipment Grants, A&W has helped provide access to assistive technology, empowering individuals living with MS to maintain personal independence.

Burgers to Beat MS Day is more than just selling Teen Burgers. It’s a day dedicated to engaging with communities and raising awareness about MS across Canada. From special events to parking lot stands, franchisees and their restaurants nationwide went above and beyond to make this day special. These activities, driven by the passion and dedication of A&W’s franchisees, reflect the deep care and commitment that lie at the heart of this charitable campaign.

Why This Cause Matters

Canada continues to have one of the highest rates of MS in the world, with over 90,000 people living with the disease—an alarming statistic that equates to 1 in every 400 Canadians. The Atlas of MS report sheds light on this critical issue:

– Over 90,000 Canadians are living with MS—1 in every 400 people.

– Every year, 4,377 people are diagnosed with MS—almost 12 people per day.

– The average age of diagnosis is 43 years.

– 75% of those living with MS are women.

– 90% of people with MS are initially diagnosed with relapsing-remitting forms of MS, while 10% are diagnosed with progressive forms.

These numbers underscore the importance of the continued support provided by initiatives like Burgers to Beat MS Day. The funds raised through this campaign go directly towards improving the lives of those affected and fueling the research that will one day lead to a cure.

A&W is immensely proud to continue its longstanding tradition of supporting Canadians affected by MS. The success of this year’s Burgers to Beat MS Day fills the company with hope and determination to continue making a difference. Together, with every Teen Burger sold, A&W believes it is one step closer to a world free of MS.

A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. (A&W Canada) is the Silver winner of the 2024 Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) Awards of Excellence in Franchising in the Category of Traditional 100+ Franchisees. The award was presented to A&W Canada on April 8, 2024, during the Awards Gala at the 2024 CFA National Convention at Le Westin Montréal, Quebec. Along with this award, A&W Canada also took home the Franchisees’ Choice Designation for the 10th consecutive year.

Considered the pinnacle of franchise achievement in Canada, the CFA Awards of Excellence in Franchising are given annually to franchise systems that have demonstrated superior franchise relations, leadership, training, and communications.

“It’s a really big honor for A&W to be recognized with this award among such a great group of franchisors that make up the CFA community. It’s best of best!” says Ryan Picklyk, Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships & Franchising at A&W Canada. “Our success only comes through the success of our franchisees, so we share this recognition with each of them.”

The CFA Awards of Excellence in Franchising program received overwhelming participation from CFA member franchise brands this year. Sponsored by the CFA and administered by the Portage Group, a third-party research firm, the winning franchise systems were determined based on the results of a survey completed by participating brands’ franchisees about their experiences and levels of satisfaction with the system.

“The CFA Awards of Excellence in Franchising recognizes the finest in Canadian franchising for 2024. Our winners embody the ethos of Growing Together® and illustrate the mutually beneficial partnership between franchisors and franchisees,” says Sherry McNeil, CFA President and Chief Executive Officer. “Regardless of the size or concept, a strong relationship between the franchisor and franchisees is fundamental to a franchise system’s success. We congratulate A&W Canada for their achievements.”

Open exclusively to CFA franchise system members, the CFA Awards of Excellence in Franchising competition includes seven categories to enable franchise systems to be rated against their peers. Entries are separated into Traditional Franchises (i.e. those with brick-and-mortar locations) and Non-Traditional Franchises (i.e. mobile, home-based, etc.), then grouped based on number of franchisees.

Systems with the highest scores in each category are recognized with Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards. The prestigious CFA Award of Excellence in Franchising Grand Prize is given to a Gold winner in the Traditional category and a Gold winner in the Non-Traditional category.

To learn more about A&W Canada and for current opportunities, visit awfranchise.ca.

For more information about the CFA Awards of Excellence in Franchising and a list of winners, visit https://cfa.ca/blog/2024-awards-of-excellence/.

About A&W Canada

The first A&W drive-in restaurant opened in Winnipeg in 1956. An instant hit, A&W expanded to build restaurants across Canada. They’ve proudly served great-tasting burgers, hand-crafted onion rings and frosted mugs of famous A&W Root Beer to millions of happy customers.

A&W changed with the times, as their innovative franchisees pioneered locations in food court malls, drive-thrus and freestanding restaurants. Today, there are over 1000 A&W restaurants from coast to coast – and still growing fast!

To view A&W’s available sites, go to awfranchise.ca.

About the Canadian Franchise Association

The Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) helps everyday Canadians realize the dream of building their own business through the power of franchising. The CFA advocates on issues that impact this dream on behalf of more than 550 corporate members and over 40,000 franchisees from many of Canada’s best-known and emerging franchise brands. Beyond its role as the voice of the franchise industry, the CFA strengthens and develops franchising by delivering best-practice education and creating rewarding connections between Canadians and the opportunities in franchising. Franchising is the 12th largest industry in Canada and franchised businesses contribute over $120 billion per year to the Canadian economy, creating jobs for almost two million Canadians. Learn more at: www.cfa.ca or http://www.FranchiseCanada.online.

In the heart of Stony Plain, Alberta, stands a testament to dedication and community. It also happens to be Brad Schneider’s first A&W restaurant.

QSR Roots

Brad’s journey into the world of quick-service restaurants (QSR) began long before he opened his first A&W. Growing up, Brad was immersed in the QSR industry, as his parents were themselves franchisees for another restaurant chain. Brad went on to pursue a university education and briefly dabbled in banking, however Brad knew he wanted to do something else and his mind never strayed far from his roots.

A Leap of Faith

At the age of 23, Brad embarked on his entrepreneurial journey driven by a chance encounter with an ad in the newspaper that read “Franchise Business Opportunity”. Brad saw potential in A&W’s iconic brand and values, rooted in memories of visiting the A&W drive-in in Edson, Alberta during his youth.

Choosing A&W over the competition was an easy decision for Brad. He was drawn to the brand’s community and culture, which only solidified as he engaged with others in the business during his application process.

Brad’s Stony Plain location went on to open on April 14th, 1994 just about a year after having seen the ad. His induction into the A&W franchise network also set a notable record for the company, as he became the youngest franchisee in its history at the time, having endeavored into this venture himself.

Leading by Example

Since 1994, Brad’s commitment to A&W has never wavered. He finds fulfillment in the relationships he’s built, whether with the corporate team, fellow franchisees, or the guests and staff who frequent his restaurants. Today, Brad not only operates multiple locations but also serves as the Regional President for Greater Edmonton franchisees and leverages his experience to advise on various A&W boards.

Looking Forward

As he reflects on his journey, he acknowledges the demanding nature of the business but finds solace in the daily interactions with guests and staff.

“The restaurant business is tough and demanding, but I have great people around me, and I look forward to going in every day…”

Brad celebrated the opening of his fifth location the same year his first restaurant in Stony Plain turned 30. We recognize not only his success but also his unwavering dedication to A&W and the community it fosters.

Brad closed with these final remarks when asked what he would say to someone interested in joining A&W as a franchisee: “Like any other business, the restaurant industry comes with many challenges. However, if you surround yourself with great people, the challenges become opportunities and seizing them, allows your business to grow. A&W is fortunate to have so many great people throughout the organization which creates an incredible opportunity for success.”

A&W is forming a national partnership with Mealshare. Mealshare partners with restaurants, and identifies items that qualify as a Mealshare item. When a customer orders a ‘Mealshare Item’, they get their meal, just like normal, and the restaurant contributes $1.00 to Mealshare. That allows Mealshare to provide one simple, healthy meal to a youth in need. Buy one, give one – it’s that simple! At A&W Monday is Mealshare Monday and $1 dollar from a Cheddar Bacon Uncle Combo goes towards Mealshare. Guests can also add $1 to any order to donate to Mealshare as well. For more information on Mealshare click here: https://mealshare.ca/en/

It’s no secret that our healthcare professionals around the globe are nothing less than superheroes, and A&W has something for our local heroes if they need a pick-me-up. Read more here. 

A&W Food Services of Canada could add more plant-based protein foods to its menus after the success its seen with the Beyond Meat burger, said CEO Susan Senecal read more here.

You probably eat fast food. Many people do so daily.  Read more here. 

Our seventh episode covers A&W breaking new ground with Beyond Meat. Susan Senecal, president and CEO of A&W Canada, joins host Emily Jackson to talk about why her chain was the first national fast-food restaurant to introduce Beyond Meat burgers, and why she thinks the plant-based protein trend is here to stay.  Listen here.

Who doesn’t love free stuff – especially when it comes to food? Well get ready, because another freebie is coming your way this month.  Read more here.