Whenever I see A&W Rootbeer, I don't only see a bubbly drink in a frosty mug that can make any day better, I see myself in my primary school pinafore sipping the brown drink for the very first time and deciding it to be my favourite soft drink. Having my school just a stone's throw away from the A&W Restaurant in PJ, I frequented A&W quite a bit whether it was for a quick lunch or a treat from mom. It is no wonder that A&W has its image etched in many of my schooling-day memories. That corner restaurant just opposite the Taman Jaya LRT station imbues nostalgia, so much so that I would join a human fort to protest against its demolition and would not miss its 100th anniversary celebration for the world!
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| It's more than Rootbeer in that mug. It's a drink to reminisce childhood memories |
A&W is named after its founder, Allen and Wright. It started as a root beer business which began in June 1919 in California and has been serving up root beer and burgers for 100 years. The A&W franchise was brought into Malaysia in 1963 by Mr and Mrs Lie Boff from USA. The Lie Boff family opened their first outlet in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman making it the first fast food outlet in Malaysia. This was followed by the first Drive-in outlet in Petaling Jaya in 1965.
Although 100 years old in the world and 56 years old in Malaysia, A&W won't let its brand be pedestrian for its patrons. Inter Mark Resources Sdn. Bhd. (IMRSB) which acquired the brand aims to make A&W great again for the children of the children who grew up at its playgrounds and win over a new generation of customers, who are the millennials.
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A&W is not a mere fast food restaurant. It wants to be known as the Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR)
Serving food on wheels to drive-in customers is one way too |
Now A&W is not settling as a mere 'fast food' restaurant. Instead, this century old American food eatery wants to be known as a Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR). Unlike fast food restaurants, A&W prepares its food from fresh ingredients which includes the use of fresh chicken instead of frozen ones. Of course, as a commitment to being quick, A&W waiters will continue to serve customers on roller skates/ blades when you drive-in.
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| Try the new Float on Cone which is a twist of Rootbeer sorbet and vanila soft serve |
Owning a flavour as delicious as Rootbeer, any ice-cream made out of it will be a winner. Joining their classic menu is the new Rootbeer sorbet! Twisting Rootbeer sorbet and vanilla soft serve together, you'll get a complete Rootbeer float in a cone. A&W’s new dessert kiosks will also be hitting high traffic shopping malls soon offering delights like Waffle To Go and Float on Cone soft serve.
Earlier this year, a few new sauces were developed using ingredients well-loved by Malaysians for A&W’s signature Coney, such as the Buttermilk Cheese Coney and Sichuan Mala Coney. Innovation is one of their recipe to woo its customers.
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| A&W existed when these cars rolled on the roads |
A&W's 100th anniversary festival saw the display of iconic things that kids of the 80's and 90's can associate with like classic cars and arcade games. Having sung countless birthday songs for the children who celebrated their birthdays at A&W, Rooty® The Great Root Bear was lovingly present at the festival to greet guests. As I took a pic with Rooty, a layer of warmth swathed my heart. Rooty was one of the reasons every kid wanted to have a birthday party at A&W.
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| With Rooty the Great Root Bear |
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| Make A&W awesome again! |
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| Now I am tall enough to shoot hoops |
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| When games were not on smart phone |
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| The ever delicious Rootbeer in frosted mug. Kid-friendly 'beer' |
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| The famous A&W waffles in different toppings. There is something about their waffles that makes me travel all the way by LRT to Taman Jaya station just to get one piece of their waffle. What's your favourite topping? |
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| Always love seeing how the waffles are prepared |
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| My favourite in butter and syrup |
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| Next favourite is their Golden Aroma chicken |
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| If you love me, give me the skin |
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| Spicy Aroma Chicken |
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| Curly fries are imported from the US |
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| Chicken Coney |
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| Beef Coney |
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| Mozza Burger |
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The children's party room has been refurbished to this cosy room with a TV for cartoons!
Who still remembers how the old party room looked like? |
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| The nearly demolished A&W restaurant in PJ opposite Taman Jaya is here to stay! |
“Since we took over, we have not stopped working on improving the product quality and services in our outlets. We have established the A&W Academy to train or re-train staff and run competitions among them to motivate good servicing,” explained Intermark Resources CEO, George Ang.
To make A&W more accessible to Malaysians, A&W Malaysia plans to Increase the number of outlets, drive-in and kiosks from 48 outlets to 100 outlets, some of which are drive-ins and kiosks by 2021.
With the certified Halal status for all A&W Malaysia products by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), A&W Malaysia is committed to providing customers with the finest quality of food, a satisfactory service, a warm and welcoming environment which all products are produced under the strictest hygienic and sanitary condition.
Like A&W Malaysia’s Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/AnWMalaysiaOfficial/ for latest updates on the festival and A&W outlet menu.
