According to Wikipedia: "A&W Restaurants, Inc., is a chain of fast-food restaurants distinguished by its draft root beer and root beer floats. A&W was arguably the first successful food franchise company, starting franchises in California, in 1923. The company name was taken from the surname initials of partners Roy W. Allen and Frank Wright. The company became famous in the United States for its "frosty mugs," where the mug would be kept in the freezer prior to being filled with root beer and served to the customer.
"Today, it has franchise locations throughout much of the world, serving a typical fast food menu of hamburgers and french fries, as well as hot dogs. A number of its outlets are drive-in restaurants with carhops. Previously owned by Yum! Brands, the chain was sold to a consortium of A&W franchisees, through A Great American Brand LLC, in December 2011. The root beer served in each restaurant location is prepared onsite, using real cane sugar and a proprietary blend of herbs, bark, spices, and berries.
"A&W restaurants in Canada have been part of a separate and unaffiliated chain since 1972. Most A&W restaurants go by the nickname "Awesome Weiner." This nickname originally started in Chicago but has spread rapidly to include most areas where an A&W restaurant can be found."