A&W RestaurantsFranchise Cost & FDD Overview

Food & Beverage — Burgers & Root Beer QSR franchise. Founded in 1919. Headquartered in Lexington, KY.

Investment

$298.9K - $1.6M

Franchise Fee

$30K

Royalty

5%

+ 5% marketing

Total Units

429

Lexington, KY Founded 1919Food & Beverage · Burgers & Root Beer QSR

23 notable changes in the 2025 FDD

Fees, unit trends, and item-by-item text changes from 2022 to 2025 are available in the full comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a A&W Restaurants franchise cost?+
The estimated initial investment for a A&W Restaurants franchise ranges from $298.9K - $1.6M. This includes the franchise fee, build-out, equipment, and initial working capital as disclosed in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
What is the A&W Restaurants franchise fee?+
The initial franchise fee for A&W Restaurants is $30K. This is a one-time payment to the franchisor for the right to operate under the brand.
What are A&W Restaurants's ongoing fees?+
A&W Restaurants franchisees pay a 5% royalty fee on gross sales and a 5% marketing/advertising fee. These are ongoing fees paid regularly to the franchisor.
How many A&W Restaurants franchise locations are there?+
As of the latest FDD filing, A&W Restaurants has 429 total locations across the United States. This figure includes both franchised and company-owned units.
Where can I find A&W Restaurants's full FDD?+
FDDs are available directly from the franchisor or through FDD filing services. FranchiseDiff shows extracted comparison data from publicly available FDDs — we do not distribute the documents themselves.

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This information is extracted from publicly available Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs). FranchiseDiff does not provide legal, financial, or investment advice. Data may contain errors from automated extraction. Always review the official FDD and consult with a qualified franchise attorney before making any investment decision. All trademarks, logos, and brand names belong to their respective owners.