A&W Restaurants Announces Strategic Franchise Expansion in Columbia, South Carolina and Neighboring Cities
Legacy brand known for its all-American food identifies Columbia and surrounding cities as prime markets for continued growth
LEXINGTON, Ky., June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A&W Restaurants, an all-American QSR with more than 105 years of experience in business and serving communities, announced today its strategic plans to expand the brand's presence across Columbia, South Carolina and into the neighboring cities, including Darlington. A&W's expansion into Colombia presents aspiring local entrepreneurs with the opportunity to grow alongside a heritage brand and bring a proven business model into their own communities.
Columbia, South Carolina, is a prime location for business expansion, driving strong economic performance and GDP growth compared to other states nationally. This economic shift and increased population growth have fueled steady demand for housing, retail and dining throughout Columbia and surrounding areas. The growing population is naturally creating opportunities for businesses to serve this growing customer base. A&W's expansion plans include various new territories for single and multiple-unit development and provide up to 100 new job opportunities per location. This dynamic market presents an ideal opportunity for franchise owners and customers who value familiar, high-quality dining options.
"A&W Restaurants has become part of communities across the country by serving classic all-American food and offering a welcoming, hometown experience," said Betsy Schmandt, CEO and president of A&W Restaurants. "At A&W, we're committed to helping franchise owners build something lasting, something they can be proud to pass down for generations. We see tremendous potential in Columbia and its neighboring cities, where passionate, community-driven entrepreneurs can help us continue our legacy of bringing people together."
A&W restaurant is actively expanding its footprint in South Carolina with plans to open three locations over the next few years. The brand first arrived in the state when local franchisees opened their Rock Hill location in 2023. The city of Darlington welcomed its first A&W on June 4, 2025. With more than 850 locations worldwide, A&W's expansion reflects the company's commitment to partner with local entrepreneurs who share the brand's values of quality, service and community.
A&W Restaurants is seeking potential franchise partners in Columbia, South Carolina, who are passionate about their communities and care about delivering exceptional service to guests with the support of an iconic family brand. Join a trusted franchise with more than 105 years of experience backed by a team with a proven track record for support, growth and innovation in helping businesses become generational legacies and community staples. The minimum investment level to own a franchise is $300K in liquid assets and a total net worth of $700K.
To learn more about franchising with A&W Restaurants, visit our franchise website here.
About A&W Restaurants:
A&W Restaurants, one of the world's best-known and most beloved quick-service brands, is experiencing a dramatic revival as more Americans discover – or rediscover – its famous Root Beer and high-quality All American Food® favorites. Based on the original 1919 recipe, A&W's signature Root Beer is made fresh in each restaurant with real cane sugar, water, and a proprietary blend of herbs, bark, spices, and berries and served in a frosty mug. Founded over 100 years ago, A&W Restaurants has over 850 locations in 35 U.S. states and Asia, of which over 600 are single-brand A&Ws and 230 are co-branded with KFC or Long John Silver's.
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SOURCE A&W Restaurants
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