FDD ITEM 20 · FISCAL 2023–2025
A&W Item 20: outlets, closures & growth
In its latest FDD Item 20 (fiscal 2025), A&W reported 208 franchised outlets at year end. 10 of 213 franchised outlets open at the start of the year left the system — an annualized exit rate of 4.7%— while 5 new outlets opened. Systemwide units moved -1.9% over 2023–2025.
| Status (FTC) | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outlets at start | 212 | 214 | 215 |
| Opened | 9 | 9 | 5 |
| Transfers | 13 | 6 | 3 |
| Terminations | 6 | 5 | 6 |
| Non-renewals | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Reacquired by franchisor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ceased — other reasons | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Outlets at end | 214 | 215 | 210 |
| Net change | +2 | +1 | -5 |
6 terminations + 4 non-renewals + 0 ceased (other) = 10 exits ÷ 213 at start = 4.7%
These are the three FTC Item 20 statuses in which a franchisee involuntarily or terminally leaves the system. Transfers (3) are resales, not exits; reacquisitions by the franchisor (0) are tracked separately. There is no official “failure rate” — this annualized exit rate is the disclosed, measurable floor.
| State | Franchised | Company-owned |
|---|---|---|
| WI | 53 | — |
| MI | 33 | — |
| MN | 21 | — |
| IA | 12 | — |
| CA | 11 | — |
| ID | 8 | — |
| AZ | 6 | — |
| OR | 6 | — |
| KS | 5 | — |
| MO | 5 | — |
| NY | 5 | — |
| OH | 5 | — |
| UT | 5 | — |
| CO | 4 | — |
| SD | 4 | — |
| NV | 3 | — |
| WY | 3 | — |
| NE | 2 | — |
| OK | 2 | — |
| WA | 2 | — |
| AR | 1 | — |
| FL | 1 | — |
| IL | 1 | — |
| IN | 1 | — |
| MD | 1 | — |
| MT | 1 | — |
| NM | 1 | — |
| PA | 1 | — |
| RI | 1 | — |
| SC | 1 | — |
| TN | 1 | — |
| VT | 1 | — |
| WV | 1 | — |
| KY | 0 | 2 |
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