A&W Restaurants is notable for being the first successful food franchise company. Today all operations are 100% franchise own ... ed, many of which have been family owned and operated for over 20 years. There are over 1000 U.S. and international locations serving many happy customers each day. A&W Restaurants, Inc., America’s first restaurant chain to turn 100, is one of the country’s best-known and most beloved restaurants. Its original craft Root Beer, still handmade fresh in-house with real cane sugar, water and a proprietary blend of herbs, bark, spices and berries and served in a frosty mug, made its debut on June 20, 1919. A&W All American Food is served quickly at affordable prices. read more