When it comes to U.S. geography and food, some pairings are classic: New York and bagels, Philadelphia and cheesesteak sandwiches, Chicago and deep-dish pizza. And then there are burgers and California, which is considered the unofficial birthplace of fast food due to the fact that McDonald’s, In ‘n Out, Carl’s Jr., Jack in the Box, and a handful of other burger joints were founded in the state.
So it may be a surprise to learn that A&W, the iconic root beer and burger outpost founded in Lodi, California, as a roadside stand in 1919, doesn’t have as many restaurants in California as it does in another state: Wisconsin. That’s right, America’s Dairyland boasts more A&Ws than any other state in the country. As of the time of writing, there were 51 A&W restaurants in Wisconsin, compared to 33 in the brand’s home state of California. Clearly, the land of cheese curds is also A&W central, with customers clamoring for its Coney Dogs, Papa Burgers, and of course, those Root Beer Floats.
Why A&W restaurants thrive in the Badger State
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A&W may have won fans’ hearts as the fast food chain that has always gone the extra mile with its iconic frosted mugs, but what’s the connection with the Badger State? For starters, the company has long had a historical presence in Wisconsin. In 1949, the first national meeting for A&W franchise owners was held in La Crosse.
A few regionalized PR stunts have also helped endeared Wisconsin-based customers to the brand. For example, in 2009 and 2010, Papa Burgers in the state were sold for $0.85 if Green Bay Packers player Greg Jennings scored a touchdown in a game. Other Packers had burgers named for them in subsequent years.
There’s even a menu addition from 2003 that pays homage to the state: the 100% Real Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese Curds. Some argue these are the best fast food cheese curds out there, even when compared to local chain Culver’s. (If these little cheddar nuggets aren’t on your radar, here’s an overview of what cheese curds are and why you should care.) As A&W has introduced more franchises to the state in recent years, it appears that even more Wisconsinites will get to enjoy this storied California chain — right on their doorstep.
Dining and Cooking