Name: A & W
Type of Food: Burgers and Fries
Interesting Fact: There are nearly 700 A&W® All American Food outlets in 15 countries and territories around the world, and an additional 545 points of distribution at Yum! Brands multibrand restaurants.
History: One hot day in June of 1919 in Lodi, California an entrepreneur named Roy Allen mixed up a batch of creamy root beer and sold the first frosty mug of this delightful beverage for one nickel. With the success of his first root beer stand in Lodi, Allen soon opened a second stand in nearby Sacramento. It was there that what is thought to be the country’s first “drive-in” featuring “tray-boys” for curb side service, opened up. In 1922 Allen took on a partner, Frank Wright, an employee from his original Lodi location. The two partners combined their initials – “A” for Allen and “W” for Wright and formally named the beverage, A&W Root Beer®. Three units were opened in Sacramento, then on to other northern and central California locations and to the states of Texas and Utah. By 1933, the creamy beverage was such a success that there were over 170 franchised outlets operating in the mid-west and west. To insure uniform quality for the namesake beverage, Allen sold A&W Root Beer® concentrate exclusively to each franchise operator. The first A&W® restaurant outside of the U.S. opened in 1956 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. A standard core menu for the restaurants was introduced in 1978. It was the first time in A&W® history that there was a consistent menu offering. And, it was at this time that A&W Restaurants, Inc., the wholly-owned restaurant franchise subsidiary was formed. You can read more history here.
A&W USA Website: www.awrestaurants.com
A&W Canada Website : www.aw.ca
Official A&W Social Media: Facebook - Twitter
View the A&W USA menu: here
View the A&W Canada menu: here
Find your local A&W’s: in the USA here and in Canada here
A&W USA Specials: -Newsletter – Gift Card - Coupons
A&W Canada Specials: -Newsletter - Gift Card – Coupons
Name: Applebee’s
Type of Food: Burgers, Sandwiches, Steaks, Wraps, Salads
Interesting Fact: Applebee’s is the largest casual dining concept in the world with more than 1,900 restaurants in 49 states, one US territory, and 16 international countries. Also for each of the past 14 years (1993-2006), Applebee’s has opened 100 or more new restaurants.
History:Applebee’s was founded in Atlanta, Georgia, by Bill and T.J. Palmer. Their first restaurant, T.J. Applebee’s Rx for Edibles & Elixirs, opened in November 1980. In 1982, the Palmers opened their second Applebee’s in Atlanta and in 1983, to fulfill a dream of nationwide expansion, the Palmers sold the Applebee’s concept to W. R. Grace and Co. As part of the transaction, Bill Palmer was named president of the Applebee’s Division of an indirect subsidiary of W. R. Grace. In that capacity, Palmer guided the operation from its entrepreneurial beginnings to a full-fledged franchise system. He became an Applebee’s franchisee in 1985 and today owns more than three dozen Applebee’s restaurants. In 1986, the name of the concept was changed to Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar to reflect the Palmers’ original concept of a place people could call their own. In 1988, Applebee’s International, Inc. became the restaurant chain’s franchisor when Kansas City franchisees Abe Gustin and John Hamra purchased the rights to the Applebee’s concept from W. R. Grace.A When Applebee’s International, Inc. acquired Applebee’s in 1988, there were 54 restaurants. In 1998, Applebee’s became the first casual dining concept with 1,000 restaurants.
Applebee’s Website: www.applebees.com
Official Applebee’s Social Media: Facebook - Twitter
View Applebee’s menu: here
Find your local Applebee’s: here
Applebee’s Specials: -Newsletter – Gift Card – Coupons
Name: Arby’s
Type of Food: Sandwiches and Wraps
Interesting Fact:In 1991, Arby’s was the first to introduce a complete Lite Menu featuring three sandwiches and four salads under 300 calories and 94% fat free.
History:Foodservice veterans Leroy and Forrest Raffel opened the first Arby’s Roast Beef Restaurant in Boardman, Ohio on July 23, 1964. The goal was to offer something other than hamburgers in the fast food segment. On the original menu customers enjoyed roast beef sandwiches, potato chips, and Texas-sized iced teas. To name their new venture, the brothers decided on Arby’s, which stands for R.B., the initials of the Raffel Brothers – although many suspect the R.B. stands for roast beef. Leroy and Forrest never looked back. The company added an average of 50 restaurants a year in the 1970s while simultaneously creating and perfecting timeless menu favourites: Beef ‘n Cheddar, Jamocha Shakes, Curly Fries and Arby’s signature sauces, Arby’s BBQ sauce and Horsey Sauce®. Arby’s continued expanding both locations and menu items during the next decade, opening restaurant number 1,000 and introducing chicken to the menu in 1981. By 2005, there were 3500 locations in the United States.
Arby’s Website: www.arbys.com
Official Arby’s Social Media: Facebook - Twitter
View Arby’s menu: here
Find your local Arby’s: here
Arby’s Specials:-Newsletter – Gift Card – Coupons
Name: Baja Fresh
Type of Food: Burritos, Fajitas, Tacos, Quesadilla
Interesting Fact: The Baja Fresh philosophy is incorporated into every aspect of their restaurants. This includes excluding the use of freezers, microwaves and can openers in every location.
History: In August 1990, Baja Fresh® Mexican Grill opened its first restaurant featuring all-fresh, traditional fire-grilled Mexican favourites. Since it’s first restaurant in Newbury Park, California, Baja Fresh has expanded to more than 300 Mexican style restaurants. Baja Fresh has been now a wholly owned subsidiary of Wendy’s International since June 21, 2002.
Baja Fresh Website: www.bajafresh.com
Official Baja Fresh Social Media: Facebook - Twitter
View the Baja Fresh menu: here
Find your local Baja Fresh: here
Baja Fresh Specials: -Newsletter – Gift Card – Coupons
Name: Baker’s Drive-Thru
Type of Food: Offers a dual menu of both American and Mexican-style food options.
Interesting Fact:Baker’s logo does not contain the color red, which is almost true of all major fast-food brands.
History: Neal Baker started Baker’s Drive-thru in 1952 with a restaurant on Highland Avenue in San Bernardino. He opened his second restaurant the following year in Rialto. By 2004, Neal T. Baker Enterprises, the restaurant chain’s parent company, employed about 1,500 people and operated 35 Baker’s Drive-Thru restaurants, all in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Baker’s Drive-thru Website: www.bakersdrivethru.com
Official Baker’s Drive-thru Social Media: Facebook - Twitter
View the Baker’s Drive-thru menu: here
Find your local Baker’s Drive-thru: here
Baker’s Drive-thru Specials: -Newsletter – Gift Card – Coupons
Restaurants | fastfoodguy | 
March 18, 2011 8:46 am | 
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