A&W Restaurants

A&W began in 1919, when Roy Allen opened a root beer stand in Lodi, California, for a parade welcoming soldiers home from the First World War. Frank Wright joined him a few years later, and they combined their initials into the name. It became one of America’s first franchise restaurant chains and the model for the drive-in, where food and frosty mugs of root beer came out to your car.

Burgers arrived later, and A&W marketed them as a family: the Papa, Mama, Teen and Baby Burgers, introduced in 1963. Today A&W is the only major US fast-food chain owned entirely by its own franchisees, and the root beer is still made fresh in the restaurants.

Several hundred restaurants, owned entirely by the franchisees who run them.

• In-N-Out Burger (United States, since 1948). Three burgers on the board and a secret menu everyone knows by heart. Also built on beef, cheese and a double stack.
• Wayback Burgers (United States, since 1991). A Delaware burger stand that grew into a franchise from Buenos Aires to Tokyo. Also built on beef, cheese and a double stack.
• Elevation Burger (United States, since 2005). The Virginia chain that called itself the first organic burger joint, with fries cooked in olive oil. Also built on beef, cheese and a double stack.
• Spangles (United States, since 1978). Wichita’s 1950s-themed steakburger chain, famous in Kansas for its odd TV adverts and a six-patty burger called The Beast. Also built on beef, cheese and a double stack.