With its eighth straight year of increased system-wide sales coming to a close, A&W Restaurants is preparing for more growth in 2020 with several leadership promotions, new staff positions, and a larger support center. So far this year, sales are up 2.4 percent, making 2019 the brand’s best year since 2016. Celebrating its 100th anniversary, A&W’s comparable average unit sales are up more than 37 percent since its franchisees acquired it from YUM! Brands in 2011. It also has opened more than 70 U.S. locations.
CEO Kevin Bazner recently announced four leadership promotions:
- Bill Fry is now Sr. Vice President of Restaurant Support Services and Supply Chain Management
- Sarah Blasi Mueller was named Sr. Vice President of Marketing and Development
- Liz Bazner was promoted to Director of Digital
- Todd Stewart was elevated to Director of Special Projects and Initiatives
“Each of these team members have made very significant contributions to rebuilding the A&W brand and are extremely important to our continued growth,” Bazner says.
Five other team members were promoted:
- Emily Barr, Manager of Personnel and Restaurant Accounting
- Silas Gray, Food Safety and Product Development Manager
- Jackie Wagner, Manager of Field Training
- Emily Fry, Restaurant Support Services Administrative Specialist
- Rob Bryant, Field Trainer
A&W also is creating three new positions to support franchisees, including Director of Operations, Digital Marketing Manager and Supply Chain Specialist. In addition, its support center and headquarters are being expanded by nearly 40 percent. Last month A&W opened an all-new prototype and learning center near its headquarters.
There are nearly 1,000 locations worldwide.
