What A&W Restaurants Are and Where They Operate

A&W Restaurants is a drive-in and fast-casual restaurant chain that has operated in North America since 1919. The chain is known for serving burgers, hot dogs, root beer floats, and other classic American diner food, with many locations still featuring the original drive-in service model where customers order at the window or from a menu board and eat in their car or at outdoor picnic tables.

A&W operates hundreds of locations across the United States and Canada. In the U.S., the chain has locations in most states, though the number and density of restaurants varies by region. Canada has a separate A&W operation that is independently owned and operates more locations than the U.S. chain. Both the U.S. and Canadian operations use the A&W name and serve similar core menu items, but they are distinct companies with different ownership structures and menus.

The chain's restaurant format ranges from traditional drive-in locations with carhop service (where staff bring food to your car) to modern fast-casual locations where you order at a counter. Some locations combine both formats. Hours and services vary by location, so checking the specific restaurant's website or calling ahead is necessary to confirm what service style and hours explore to the location nearest you.

Key Takeaways

  • A&W has operated as a drive-in restaurant chain since 1919 and still operates many locations with the original carhop service model where food is brought to your car.
  • The chain serves burgers, hot dogs, root beer floats, and other classic American diner food, with menu items and pricing varying between U.S. and Canadian locations.
  • A&W locations in the U.S. and Canada are operated by separate companies with different ownership, so menu offerings and restaurant formats differ between the two countries.
  • Service formats at A&W locations range from traditional carhop drive-in service to modern counter-service fast-casual restaurants, depending on the individual location.

The History of A&W and Its Drive-In Origins

A&W was founded in 1919 by Roy Allen in Lodi, California, as a root beer stand. The name comes from the initials of the two founders: Roy Allen and Frank Wright, who joined the business shortly after it opened. The restaurant became known for its root beer, which was made fresh in-house, and the drive-in format became the signature service model.

During the 1950s and 1960s, A&W expanded rapidly across the United States and became one of the largest drive-in chains in the country. The chain was particularly popular during the era when drive-in restaurants and drive-in movies were central to American leisure culture. At its peak in the 1970s, A&W operated over 2,000 locations in the U.S. alone.

The chain declined significantly in the 1980s and 1990s as fast-food chains like McDonald's and Burger King expanded and the drive-in format fell out of favor. A&W was sold multiple times and many locations closed. Today, the U.S. chain operates a much smaller number of locations, though the drive-in format and root beer remain central to the brand's identity. The Canadian A&W operation has remained more stable and operates more locations than its U.S. counterpart.

Menu Items and What A&W Is Known For

A&W's menu centers on burgers, hot dogs, and root beer floats. The signature burger is the Mama Burger or Papa Burger (depending on size), which are flame-grilled and served with toppings like lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onions. The chain also serves hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, and breakfast items at some locations.

Root beer is the drink A&W is most famous for. The chain still makes root beer fresh at many locations using a proprietary recipe. Root beer floats—root beer served with vanilla ice cream—are a signature item. A&W also serves other beverages including soft drinks, milkshakes, and coffee, though availability varies by location.

Side dishes typically include french fries, onion rings, and cheese curds (particularly at Canadian locations). Desserts beyond floats may include pie, ice cream, or other items depending on the location. Pricing and exact menu offerings vary significantly between U.S. and Canadian locations and between individual restaurants, so checking the specific location's menu before visiting is recommended.

Drive-In Service vs. Counter Service at A&W Locations

Many A&W locations still operate with traditional carhop service, the original drive-in format where you drive into a parking space, order from a menu board or by pressing a button at your parking spot, and staff bring your food to your car on a tray. You eat in your car or can take the food inside or to an outdoor picnic table. This format is part of A&W's brand identity and is what distinguishes it from standard fast-food chains.

However, not all A&W locations offer carhop service. Some operate as fast-casual restaurants where you order at a counter, pay, and pick up your food at a pickup window. A few locations combine both formats, offering carhop service during certain hours and counter service at other times. The service format depends on the individual location's design and staffing, so confirming the service style before visiting is important if carhop service is what you're looking for.

Hours of operation also vary by location. Some A&W restaurants are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while others operate only during lunch and dinner hours. A few locations may have seasonal hours or limited hours on certain days. Checking the specific location's hours online or by phone before visiting prevents wasted trips.

A&W in the United States vs. Canada

The U.S. and Canadian A&W operations are separate companies with different ownership and management. The U.S. A&W is owned by Roark Capital Group as of recent years, while the Canadian A&W is a publicly traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange and operates independently. This separation means the two chains have evolved differently over time.

The Canadian A&W has remained larger and more stable than its U.S. counterpart, with more locations and stronger brand presence in Canada. The Canadian menu includes items not found in the U.S., such as cheese curds and poutine (fries with gravy and cheese curds), which reflect Canadian food culture. Pricing, portion sizes, and some burger options also differ between the two countries.

If you are traveling between the U.S. and Canada or ordering online, confirming which A&W operation serves your location is important, as menus, prices, and locations are not the same. The U.S. website and Canadian website are separate, and locations in one country will not appear on the other's location finder.

Finding an A&W Location Near You

Both the U.S. and Canadian A&W websites have location finders where you can search by address, city, or zip code to find nearby restaurants. The U.S. location finder is on the U.S. A&W website, and the Canadian location finder is on the Canadian A&W website. Each location listing typically includes the address, phone number, hours of operation, and sometimes information about whether the location offers carhop service.

Because A&W locations vary in their service format, menu offerings, and hours, calling ahead or checking online before visiting is recommended. Some locations may have limited menus, seasonal hours, or may be temporarily closed. A few locations may also offer delivery or online ordering through third-party apps, though this varies by restaurant.

If you are specifically interested in the traditional carhop drive-in experience, the location listing or a quick phone call can confirm whether that particular A&W offers it. Not all locations do, so confirming in advance prevents disappointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does A&W still make root beer fresh?

Many A&W locations still make root beer fresh in-house using the original recipe, though not all locations do. Some newer or smaller locations may serve pre-made root beer. Calling the specific location you plan to visit can confirm whether they make root beer fresh.

Can I order A&W food for delivery?

Some A&W locations offer delivery through third-party apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub, but not all do. Availability depends on the individual location and the apps that service that area. Checking the location's website or calling directly is the fastest way to confirm delivery options.

What is the difference between A&W in the U.S. and Canada?

The U.S. and Canadian A&W operations are separate companies with different ownership. The Canadian chain is larger, has more locations, and includes menu items like poutine and cheese curds that reflect Canadian food culture. Prices and some burger options also differ between the two countries.

Do all A&W locations have carhop service?

No. While many A&W locations still offer traditional carhop service where food is brought to your car, some operate as counter-service fast-casual restaurants. The service format varies by location, so confirming the service style before visiting is recommended if carhop service is important to you.

What time does A&W open and close?

Hours vary by location. Some A&W restaurants open for breakfast, while others start at lunch. Closing times also differ. Checking the specific location's hours on the A&W website or by phone is the only way to confirm when that restaurant is open.