What started as a roadside root beer stand in Lodi, CA has turned into a world-renowned fast food franchise. Serving those delicious, tap-poured, handmade, root beer floats. I’m talking about the one, the only, A&W.
If you haven’t experienced an ice-cold root beer, a float, or even a meal, at an A&W restaurant, you may at the very least have heard of their world-famous root beer. Sold at grocery and convenient stores world wide.
According to the A&W website, it all began in 1919. A man by the name of Roy Allen opened a roadside root beer stand to welcome home soldiers returning from World War I. He soon after would partner with Frank Wright. Coining the brand name: A&W.
The evolution from roadside stand, to drive-in, to dine-in and drive-thru speaks to the reputation of A&W. Tasty burgers, frosty root beers, and good old-fashioned fun. Keeping the century-old nostalgia alive.
Roadside Stands
The story is heart-warming. To welcome home returning soldiers from war, Roy Allen opens a roadside root beer stand. The very next day, opens up shop to the public. Just a few years later, root beer stands began popping up all over the nation.
Drive-ins
Thinking of the drive-in, I immediately think of the movie, American Graffiti. Although not as many, there are still drive-in restaurants in operation and are so much fun to experience.
Ordering a nice frosty mug of A&W root beer and having it delivered to your car window. There’s something classic about it! Just need to remember to put on my Poodle skirt.
Dine-ins & Drive-thrus
The years roll by and now A&W has dine-in and drive-thru options available across the globe. I can remember dining in my first A&W restaurant in Sparks, NV back in the 90s. Do I remember anything but the creamy root beer float? Of course not.
Rooty the Mascot
Following the trend of other popular fast-food franchises, A&W created their very own mascot to promote the brand. “Rooty the Great Root Bear.” I can also remember coloring pages of Rooty while dining in with my family as a kid.
Bottles & Cans
A&W is available in both bottles and cans in grocery and convenient stores world-wide. I remember drinking the cans of A&W Cream Soda at my grandma’s house. But nothing beats a good old fashioned, handmade, root beer float.
And for the adults in the room…
When was the last time you enjoyed a nice cold root beer float? Mark your calendars! Next year think about celebrating National Root Beet Float Day on August 6. Free root beer floats and a chance to donate to the Disabled American Veterans organization. Cheers!