What do the initials A&W stand for in the A&W restaurant name?

The initials A&W stand for Allen and Wright, the surnames of Roy W. Allen and Frank Wright.

Roy Allen began selling a soft drink in Lodi, California, in 1919. Frank Wright joined him in 1922, and the partners combined their names to create the A&W brand. The company became closely associated with root beer and later expanded into restaurants serving burgers, fries, and other fast-food staples.

The ampersand is part of the brand’s original identity, linking the two founders’ surnames. A&W is often described simply as a burger chain, but its root-beer business predates its restaurant expansion.

A&W’s ownership and operations have varied across countries and periods, which can cause confusion when comparing its American and Canadian businesses. The meaning of the initials, however, refers to Allen and Wright.