$1 from every Teen Burger® sold across Canada will go towards ending MS

VANCOUVER, Aug. 22, 2012 /CNW/ - A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. (TSX: AW.UN) celebrates its fourth annual Cruisin' for a Cause Day tomorrow to benefit and raise awareness for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. One dollar from every Teen Burger® sold across the country on Thursday, August 23 will go towards ending MS. Cruisin' for a Cause has raised more than $2 million to support people living with MS and MS research in Canada.

More than 750 A&W restaurants across Canada will host Cruisin' for a Cause Day events which may include classic car Cruisin' the Dub® gatherings, retro music, car hop service, A&W Root Beer® chugging contests and visits from the Great A&W Root Bear®. In addition to buying a Teen Burger®, supporters can also purchase $1 paper cutouts, a $2 deluxe fridge magnet, give through in-store donation boxes or make online donations at www.cruisinforacause2012.ca; all of which goes towards supporting activities that help enable the lives of people touched by MS.

"We are asking Canadians to join us on August 23 in helping to end MS by buying a Teen Burger, making a donation and encouraging their friends and family to do the same," says Paul Hollands, President and CEO of A&W Food Services of Canada Inc.  "We are thrilled by the $2 million raised so far and are confident we can work together to build on this achievement by making this year's Cruisin' for a Cause Day bigger and better than ever."

Canadians have one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world , and every day three more people are diagnosed. MS is the most common neurological disease affecting young adults in the country. Although the cause of this often disabling disease is still not known, researchers are closer to finding the answer. The MS Society offers programs and services for people with MS and their families, and is also the highest per-capita funder of MS research in the world.

For the many Canadians who grew up enjoying warm summer evenings at the drive in—often with the radio blaring and trays of Teen® burgers, fresh made onion rings and icy cold A&W Root Beer® delivered to their car by car hops—Cruisin' For a Cause Day is an opportunity to revisit those fond memories while supporting the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and its effort to end MS.

"We are proud of the partnership we have with A&W and the impact Cruisin' for a Cause has within communities across the country. This event brings people together, raises awareness for MS and allows us to continue to fund important MS research and services that are important to people living with MS," says Yves Savoie, President and CEO of the MS Society of Canada.

Cruisin' for a Cause Day is a part of A&W's popular Cruisin' the Dub program, which was created by classic car enthusiasts who enjoyed gathering at A&W to share their passion for their vintage autos.  A&W will hold more than 5,000 Cruisin' the Dub events at restaurants across Canada this season.

A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. is 100 per cent Canadian owned and is one of the strongest brand names in the Canadian foodservice industry. A&W is the nation's second largest hamburger restaurant company with over 750 locations coast-to-coast.  A&W Restaurants feature famous trade-marked menu items such as The Burger Family®, Chubby Chicken®, and A&W Root Beer®. For more information, please visit www.aw.ca.

About multiple sclerosis and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. It is the most common neurological disease of young adults in Canada. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40, and the unpredictable effects of MS last for the rest of their lives. The MS Society provides services to people with MS and their families and funds research to find the cause and cure for this disease. Please visit www.mssociety.ca or call 1-800-268-7582 to make a donation or for more information.

Image with caption: "Cruisin' for a Cause: On Thursday, August 23, A&W celebrates its 4th Annual Cruisin' for a Cause Day to benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. On this day, $1 from every Teen Burger® sold across the country will be donated to help end MS. Yves Savoie (on left), President and CEO, MS Society of Canada, and Paul Hollands, President and CEO, A&W Food Services of Canada were joined by the Great A&W Root Bear to kick-off this year's event. (CNW Group/A&W Food Services of Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120822_C8465_PHOTO_EN_17118.jpg

SOURCE: A&W Food Services of Canada Inc.