Founded in 1919 as a California root beer stand to welcome home WWI veterans, A&W is recognized as America’s first successful franchise restaurant chain, famous for pioneering the retro drive-in experience complete with carhops and its iconic mascot, Rooty the Great Root Bear. The brand is globally celebrated for its classic American menu of burgers, hot dogs, and its signature fresh-made Root Beer served in frosty, straight-from-the-freezer glass mugs. Today, the brand operates under two distinct entities: the US and international locations that lean heavily into nostalgic Americana, and a completely independent A&W Canada corporate chain that focuses on premium, sustainably sourced ingredients.