
Small towns are part of the very fabric of Canada. They are the towns where the local rink, or your A&W restaurant, serves as a gathering place for friends and families. You know your neighbour, your customers, and you find time to reconnect with people on a more personal level.
If this sounds like the lifestyle for you then now is the time to become an A&W franchise owner in one of Canada’s picturesque small towns. We’re looking for community-minded franchisees who are ready to join the A&W brand and pursue their dream of owning a business.
Don’t Just Make a Living, Make a Life
Across Canada, these vibrant and charming communities are a place to call home. The many who live there choose to write their own stories and follow their own path to success. They’ve designed a less stressful life outside the confines of the city where work and family are more balanced. And in doing so, they’ve discovered the many benefits of small town living.
Why Open an A&W in a Local Community?
- Lower home prices with more land and lower commercial real estate cost
- Lower cost-of-living
- Shorter and more comfortable commute
- Stronger community feel so you can get to know your customers by name
- Less competition from other restaurants
- Opportunities to support local charities, sports teams, and organizations
When you’re in smaller communities like these, you have the opportunity to know the people and to be known by the people. If you do the right thing, people will support you. They will be very faithful customers.
Alain Simard
A&W Franchise Owner - Matane and Rimouski, Quebec
Limited Opportunities Available
Since A&W opened its doors in Canada in 1956, we’ve grown to more than 950 locations across the country. Today, our team has identified a limited number of opportunities in thriving small towns that are well-suited for entrepreneurs who value a community lifestyle.
With a track record of success operating in Canada for over six decades, our franchisees feel confident in our ability to provide recurring cash-flow potential for the long haul in small towns just as we have done in larger markets. In fact, many of them turn it into a family business that they pass along to the next generation. This type of inter-generational success story is often seen in our small town locations.
Available Regions:
Most of the opportunities available in small towns are ready to be built as soon as you’re granted a franchise, meaning you can start running your restaurant, building equity, and experiencing the small town life sooner than you’d expect. These opportunities are in short supply, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. That’s why now is the time to open your A&W location in a local community near you.
Click on each province to see available locations.
Available Now in Alberta
- Province of Alberta (excluding Northern AB)
Available Now in British Columbia
No opportunities available currently. Please check back later.
Available Now in Manitoba
No opportunities available currently. Please check back later.
Coming Soon in Manitoba
- La Ronge, MB
Available Now in New Brunswick
- Edmundston
- Fredericton
Coming Soon in New Brunswick
- Shediac
- Moncton
- Edmundston
- Ahotville
- Bathurst
- Sackville
- Amherst
Available Now in Newfoundland and Labrador
- St. John's
Available Now in Nova Scotia
- Halifax
Coming Soon in Nova Scotia
- Springhill
Available Now in Ontario
No opportunities available currently. Please check back later.
Coming Soon in Ontario
- Winchester, Elliott Lake
Available Now in Prince Edward Island
- Stratford
Available Now in Quebec
- Ville de Québec
- St-Nicolas
- Lévis-Lauzon
- Mont-Joli
- Baie St-Paul
- Lachine
- Dorval
- L'Île-Perrot / Pincourt
- Longueuil
- Drummondville
- Gaspé
Coming Soon in Quebec
- Beauharnois
- Huntingdon
- Chicoutimi
Available Now in Saskatchewan
- Province of Saskatchewan (small town - no specific location)
Available Now in Northwest Territories
No opportunities available currently. Please check back later.
Available Now in Nunavut
No opportunities available currently. Please check back later.
Available Now in Yukon
No opportunities available currently. Please check back later.

Build a Business
An Award-Winning Brand
A Proven Model for Success
A&W is Canada’s fastest growing national burger chain, and we’ve hit on something that Canadians love because we are Canadian. All franchise owners benefit from our existing infrastructure, knowledge & expertise, and award-winning brand that drives customers to your restaurant. With an emphasis on training, marketing & advertising, and operational excellence, you’ll be well supported as you take the reins of your new business.
All franchise owners receive hands-on training so that you’re prepared for whatever comes your way.
The A&W brand is known across the country, and our national advertising plan reaches millions of Canadians each and every day.
We have a proven model for success and will help you establish your restaurant, hire and train staff, reduce costs, and boost your bottom line.
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Training & Support
All franchise owners receive hands-on training so that you’re prepared for whatever comes your way.
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Marketing & Advertising
The A&W brand is known across the country, and our national advertising plan reaches millions of Canadians each and every day.
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Operational Excellence
We have a proven model for success and will help you establish your restaurant, hire and train staff, reduce costs, and boost your bottom line.




Qualifications
Our small town locations are the perfect opportunity for franchisees who are looking for an accessible
franchise opportunity, or established franchise owners who are ready for a new way of life. To be a good fit for the A&W brand, you need:
- Access to funds that can be used to start a business (between $250K to $450K of liquid assets, depending on the location)
- To be community and relationship minded
- Strong people and managerial skills
- To be a big thinker who is ready to escape the financial barriers and stress of city life
Investment
Our Small Town franchises cost less to open and operate than our other store types, and the cost-of-living in these communities is often significantly lower than the city. The revenue of these locations may look different than our restaurants in busy cities, but strong management combined with lower operating costs will ensure a lucrative business to support your lifestyle. To get started, you need at least $250,000 - $450,000 in unencumbered cash (cash that is not attached to any loan or debt) depending on the location.