A&W launches franchising program targeting millennials
A&W launches its Urban Franchise Associate program, a low-equity model geared to young entrepreneurs.
Millennials are rapidly changing the way businesses operate. They have a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and aspire to be leaders. However, not knowing how to run a business or having limited access to time and equity is holding some young entrepreneurs back from achieving their business dreams. Millennials are already playing a key role in the transformation of A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. Now, Canada’s original and fastest growing quick service burger chain, with over $1 billion in annual sales, is introducing a brand new Millennial franchise model that is designed specifically for energetic young entrepreneurs. The Urban Franchise Associate program is designed to connect with a younger demographic, not as employees, but as owner-operators of A&W urban concept restaurants. The first Millennial franchise location will launch in Toronto, and by 2020, A&W is looking for 25 young entrepreneurs to be part of this new wave of quick service restaurants.
Young entrepreneurs with a passion for food are able to invest in a top-tier, Canadian-owned and operated brand with access to just $125,000 – $150,000 unencumbered cash required. The new A&W franchise model provides professional development, extensive training, and A&W will teach its millennial franchisees what they need to know about running a business and operating their own A&W restaurant. After completing the core training, A&W Millennial franchisees will participate in a structured work experience program that pays them a salary while they wait for their new urban concept restaurant to be built.
Unique Millennial Opportunity at A&W
“Franchising is an important part of A&W’s business operations and we have more than 840 franchised restaurants across Canada,” says Susan Senecal, President and Chief Operating Officer, A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. “Typically, our franchisees are individuals with a strong business background and financial resources to invest. However, running a business is so much more than that, A&W has built a successful franchise system for team players and those with a natural ability to manage a team. We have seen lot of success in our franchisees that are under 35 years old, and find they bring energy, passion and new thinking every day. We believe that engaging more Millennials in our franchise operations will bring positive change to Canada’s food industry. This new franchising concept provides a unique opportunity for energetic Millennials with a passion for food to take control of their future and run their own business.”
The new Millennial franchise model is tailored to A&W urban concept restaurants, a modern design specifically suited to busy urban environments that launched in 2010. These A&W locations are open 24-hours and typically range between 1,500 and 2,000 square feet with seats for 45 guests. The A&W urban concept restaurants are designed for densely populated areas with high pedestrian traffic, and they represent one of the fastest growth areas within A&W.
Millennial Thinking Behind A&W Ingredients Guarantee
A&W credits the thinking of Millennials for igniting the A&W Ingredients Guarantee, a journey that began in 2013 to source simple, great-tasting ingredients, farmed with care. Since the introduction of its Ingredients Guarantee in 2013, A&W has been the first national burger restaurant in North America to serve beef raised without the use of hormones and steroids; chicken raised without the use of antibiotics; eggs from hens fed a vegetarian diet without animal by-products and organic coffee. And the A&W commitment to sustainability does not end there. A&W also has a strong focus on reducing its environmental footprint through a number of programs and in-restaurant initiatives.
“For the last couple of years, A&W has been making a big difference in the foodservice industry with our attention to our Ingredients Guarantee” says Senecal. “Now we are shaking things up again by reinventing our franchise model to encourage more young people to take on a bigger role in our brand. It’s another game-changing step for A&W and for the industry in general.”
Imagine Your Own A&W
A&W plans to open approximately 75 new urban concept restaurants by 2020. Of these, 25 will be Urban Franchise Associate restaurants. The first five millennial franchisee locations are planned to open in Toronto by the end of 2016.
Young leaders with an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for food can find out more about A&W’s new millennial franchise program at http://urban.aw.ca.
About A&W
A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. is 100 per cent Canadian owned and is one of the strongest brand names in the Canadian foodservice industry. A&W is the nation’s second largest hamburger restaurant company with over 850 locations coast-to-coast. A&W Restaurants feature famous menu items such as The Burger Family®, Chubby Chicken®, and A&W Root Beer®. For more information on A&W’s Ingredients Guarantee, please visit www.awguarantee.ca.