2nd Generation A&W Owner/Operator Turns One Store into Many
ou might say A&W Draft Root Beer runs in the veins of Jimmy Brajdic, a Wisconsin native and A&W Restaurants Franchisee. As the second generation franchisee to own and operate an A&W Drive-In for the last 25-years, it is only fitting that Brajdic will celebrate the 90th Anniversary of A&W Restaurants by opening a state of the art 'A&W Restaurant 3-D Drive-In' here in early April at 4141 Harbor Town Lane.
And just like Brajdic's parents Ron and Julie who partnered with another couple to open their A&W Drive-In in Fond du Lac, WI 25 years ago, Brajdic is partnering with Barb Gretzinger, a former Hardee's franchisee, who also has owns an A&W Restaurant in Stiles, WI, to open their new A&W Drive -In in Manitowoc.
'Our new A&W Drive In offers many of our small or single unit operators a chance to team up with other franchisees in the system and become multi-unit operators,' Doug Heinrich, A&W director of development strategy, said. 'The new drive-in development model captures the fabric of our brand.'
According to Heinrich, the '3-D Drive In' concept integrates the A&W goal of modernizing the drive in concept for consumers with 'drive-through, dine-in and drive-in' capabilities.
Brajdic, a Wisconsin native, cut his teeth on the iconic A&W brand as a child when his parents lived near an A&W. He would visit the nearby restaurant and enjoy free baby mugs of fresh made A&W Root Beer.
While attending University of Wisconsin-Stout, where he earned a degree in hospitality and tourism, the young Brajdic's interest in restaurants continued to grow, and after working on a project with YUM! Brands, parent company for A&W, the natural career path for Brajdic was to become an A&W franchisee.
Brajdic said the new A&W will be open the first week of April 2009 and will feature the famous A&W All American menu of frosty mugs of fresh made root beer, burgers, hot dogs, French fries and Root Beer Floats.
Founded in 1919 in Lodi, CA, A&W Restaurants is experiencing a renaissance and plans to open 15 new Drive Ins in 2009 with much of its growth targeted at Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Oregon.
Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
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