An opportunity for Montrealers looking to be their own boss

MONTREAl, Feb. 7, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - A&W Food Services of Canada, Inc. is pursuing its strategic expansion in Quebec through its Urban Franchise Program. This initiative, a proven success in major Canadian cities, enables Montrealers looking for a new career opportunity to be their own boss by becoming an A&W franchise owner.

The Urban Franchise Program is part of a bold, Canada-wide expansion strategy that aims to open 200 A&W restaurants across the country, including 70 in Québec alone, by 2020.

"For many people, starting a new year means taking stock of their skills and assessing their options," said Yanick Morin, National Director, Franchise Development at A&W. "This is especially true for new Quebecers that move to Montreal with the drive to succeed in a highly competitive market. The Urban Franchise Program was designed to give them the opportunity to launch their business using A&W's proven franchise system that makes us Canada's fastest-growing national burger chain, with a yearly sales figure of over $1 billion." 

The urban restaurant: dynamic and trendy, in the heart of Montreal

The Urban Franchise Program is designed for Montreal's entrepreneurs and new Quebecers arriving in Montreal looking to be their own boss, take on new challenges and build their financial future.

"I moved to Quebec in 2008 when I was 17," says Tim Pérez, business partner and Operations Manager for the three A&W locations he owns with his father. "Back in Normandy, I played hockey and studied finance. Once I got here, I began studying human sciences, but after working with my father, I decided to become a businessman."

Today, the Pérez family owns and operates two restaurants on the North Shore and a third in Montréal.

"I'm actually the reason we became A&W franchisees," says Tim Pérez with a smile. "The great tasting A&W burger I had him try, the restaurant's ambiance and the customer service convinced my dad that this was a great investment opportunity."

"If I had to convince young entrepreneurs and new Quebecers to get into business and become their own boss, I'd use hockey as an analogy," concludes Mr. Pérez. "Running an A&W restaurant enables you to manage your team, make decisions and take up major challenges, as well as achieve financial independence. That said, such a privilege comes with great responsibility, namely making sure your team meets your fans' expectations, which in this case are clients looking for the A&W brand's inherent quality."

New website: quick access to information

Comprehensive information on the Urban Franchise Program can be found on the new website specifically designed to improve user experience when looking for more details: awfranchise.ca.

More accessible than you think!

When building a new restaurant, the initial investment varies between $750,000 and $1,200,000 (based on its location), 35% of which must be invested by the new franchisees in unencumbered cash. This amount includes building construction, equipment, furnishings, launch costs and franchise fees. Initial franchise fees total $55,000, with a 20-year business agreement.  

The A&W support system: sustained guidance for new franchisees

A&W provides its franchisees with a proven multidisciplinary support system to ensure they have everything they need to succeed. The franchisor helps the franchisees with the restaurant's initial development and construction, financing, operational support, advertising and advice on internal standards. Once the restaurant is fully operational, A&W's business managers will guide each franchisee through the various aspects of staff management, cost management and local advertising.

"A&W is looking for franchisees that have what it takes to prosper within our great family," concludes Mr. Morin. "Even if future franchisees don't have any food service experience, we've noticed that the drive to succeed and experience in management are decisive factors. We offer an intensive six-week training program, during which A&W will teach them how to successfully operate their restaurant. Moreover, once their franchise opens, each franchisee will be guided and supported by a seasoned team. Anyone who dreams of starting their own business should definitely contact us for more details."

About A&W

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 more than 860 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 aw.ca.

A&W believes that sourcing simple, great-tasting ingredients, farmed with care is the right thing to do, and has been at the forefront of the natural ingredient movement since the launch of its Ingredients Guarantee in 2013.

Since this launch, A&W has been on a journey to continue to improve the quality of its ingredients across the entire menu. It was the first national quick service burger restaurant in Canada to serve beef raised without the use of added hormones or steroids in 2013; chicken raised without the use of antibiotics and eggs from hens fed a vegetarian diet without animal by-products in 2014; organic, Fair Trade coffee in 2015; and pork raised without the use of antibiotics in 2016.

A&W has more than 130 locations in Quebec. Visit awfranchise.ca to know more.

SOURCE A&W Food Services of Canada Inc.

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