Gerben IP

Trademark Attorneys Trusted For Our Experience®

Gerben Trademark Library®
Home » Restaurants » A&W Restaurants Trademarks
A&W logo

A&W Restaurants Trademarks

The following list includes all pending trademark applications and active federal trademark registrations that are owned by A&W Restaurants.

Please note: Gerben IP does not represent A&W Restaurants. This page is provided for informational purposes and reflects information available in public USPTO records.

Updated:
September 30, 2023

A&W Restaurants is an American chain of fast-food restaurants well known for its draft root beer, burgers, and root beer floats. It is also the oldest restaurant chain in America.

The company opened its first restaurant in 1923 in Sacramento, California when Frank Wright partnered with Roy to start the A&W restaurants. The company was named from the initials of their last names, Allen and Wright.

Let’s look at this company’s detailed history, unique mascots, and trademarks.

A&W Restaurants History

In 1919, Roy W. Allen set up a roadside stand to sell a new thick and creamy drink known as root beer, during a parade honoring World War I veterans in Lodi, California.

Four years later, in 1923, Roy partnered with a man named Frank Wright to start A&W Restaurants. The fast food chain, whose moniker is derived from the initials of their last names, Allen and Wright, was incorporated and opened its first location as a drive-in restaurant in Sacramento, California. The restaurant sold Roy’s famous root beer from his stand, with curbside service provided by tray boys and tray girls.

In 1924, Roy Allen bought out Frank Wright and a year later started franchising the root beer portion of the business. The franchisee owner added other menu items at their discretion, creating what is thought to be the first successful franchise operations.

In 1950, Allen retired and sold the company. The new owners of A&W Restaurants continued to sign franchisees to 20-25-year contracts under the old franchising model. In 1956, the company expanded into Canada by opening restaurants in Montreal and Winnipeg.

By 1960, the company had 2,000 restaurants in operation. A&W opened the first restaurant in Okinawa in 1963. Over the following years, the company would continue to branch out in other foreign markets, including the Philippines and Malaysia.

AI and Geri Lieboff, a couple from Las Vegas, opened the first A&W Restaurant in Malaysia, after purchasing the franchising rights for both Malaysia and Singapore. While setting up franchises in these locations proved difficult, within five years the couple would start to see success and opened a total of 22 restaurants.

In 1961, Dale Mulder opened the A&W franchise in Lansing, Michigan. In 1963, Mulder added the bacon cheeseburger to his menu, after a customer made several requests for bacon to be added to their cheeseburger. Because of this, A&W is credited for inventing the bacon cheeseburger.

A&W would be sold twice in the 1960s. In 1967, the company would be sold to the United Fruit Co, which was then purchased by the AMK Corporation in 1970. AMK later formed the United Brands Company as a holding company for A&W.

A&W Beverages Inc, a subsidiary of A&W, started supplying groceries with bottled A&W products in 1971. These products soon became available nationally. In 1972, Unilever acquired A&W’s Canadian division.

Peaking at a total of 2,400 in 1974, A&W had more restaurants than Mcdonald’s throughout the 1970s. Franchisee owners would express discontent with the old franchisee model, leading the company to adopt a more modern franchise agreement, including royalties and new standards.

A. Alfred Taubman acquired the restaurant portion of A&W in 1982 under Taubman Investment Co. He would later sell A&W to Sidney Feltenstein in 1995. The company then merged with Long John Silver’s to form Yorkshire Global Restaurants.

In March 2002, Yorkshire merged with Tricon Global Restaurants and formed Yum! Brands. Yum! Brands later sold A&W Restaurants to A Great American Brand.

A&W Restaurants Mascots

A&W Restaurants has a list of unique mascots. In the ’60s, Chubby Chicken appeared on all Chubby burgers. In 1963, A&W introduced four new choices of hamburgers as well as their corresponding burger family members, which appeared as a cartoon on each burger’s wrapper. The burger family members were Papa Burger, Mama Burger, Teen Burger, and Baby Burger.

Rooty, the Great American Root Bear, was a mascot designed in response to McDonald’s Ronald McDonald. It originated in Canada in 1974 and crossed American borders in 1976. Rooty became the face of A&W through the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. The company used the mascot for both the restaurant chain and bottled drinks in television and print advertising.

A&W Restaurants Trademarks

A&W Restaurants has obtained or sought federal registration for over 20 trademarks. These include “VERNORS,” “ROCHESTER,” “A&W TEN,” and “A&W.”

The company obtained federal trademark registration for “VERNORS” on August 15, 1911. A&W uses the trademark for ginger-ale and ginger-ale extract.

A&W Restaurants also obtained federal trademark registration for “ROCHESTER” on October 13, 1987. The company used the trademark for soft drinks and syrups and bases and concentrates for making soft drinks.

Please note: While we make every effort to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date, we cannot be held responsible for its accuracy or completeness. If you have any questions regarding a specific entity in Gerben's Trademark Library®, please contact us and we will work with you to provide the information you need.

Quick Links for A&W Restaurants Trademarks
  1. A&W BURGERS · CHICKEN · FLOATS
  2. EL AUTENTICO QUITASED
  3. A&W
  4. A&W
  5. A&W ICE COLD ROOT BEER
  6. A&W ICE COLD ROOT BEER DRIVE THRU
  7. A&W
  8. DIET VERNORS
  9. SQUIRT
  10. A&W
  11. A&W
  12. A & W ROOT BEER
  13. A&W SWEETS & TREATS
  14. A&W
  15. A & W
  16. A & W
  17. A & W
  18. A & W
  19. ROCHESTER
  20. VERNORS
  21. A & W
  22. SQUIRT
  23. A & W
  24. VERNORS

A&W BURGERS · CHICKEN · FLOATS

Serial Number:
98148305
Registration Number:
Pending Application
Word Mark:
A&W BURGERS · CHICKEN · FLOATS
Goods and Services:

IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S Franchise services, namely, offering business management assistance in the establishment and operation of restaurants.

IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services.

Filling Date:
2023-08-24
Current Basis:
1B
Owner:
A&W Concentrate Company
Attorney of Record:
ALANA SHARENOW
Description of Mark:
(3) Illustration: Drawing or design which also includes word(s)/ letter(s)/number(s). The mark consists of The mark consists of a stylized "A", an ampersand, and a stylized "W", with the words "BURGERS.CHICKEN.FLOATS" located below.
Type of Mark:
Service mark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE

EL AUTENTICO QUITASED

Serial Number:
97912000
Registration Number:
Pending Application
Word Mark:
EL AUTENTICO QUITASED
Goods and Services:

IC 032. US 045 046 048. G & S Soft drinks, namely, carbonated soft drinks.

Filling Date:
2023-04-28
Current Basis:
1B
Owner:
A&W Concentrate Company
Attorney of Record:
ALANA SHARENOW
Description of Mark:
(4) Standard character mark.
Type of Mark:
Trademark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE

A&W

Serial Number:
97264126
Registration Number:
7083772
Word Mark:
A&W
Goods and Services:

IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S On-line retail store services featuring promotional products associated with restaurants, namely kid's toys, plush toys, apparel, hats, socks, t-shirts, hoodies, key tags, lanyards, tote bags, duffels, lapel pins, journals, stickers, pens, drinking mugs and glassware, jugs, posters, signage, books, face masks, lunchboxes, phone grips, fanny packs, lip balm, sunglasses, golf kits, basketballs, footballs, umbrellas, dog chew toys, and Christmas tree ornaments. FIRST USE: 20091200. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20091200.

Filling Date:
2022-02-11
Registration Date:
2023-06-20
Current Basis:
1A
Owner:
A&W Concentrate Company
Attorney of Record:
Alana Sharenow
Description of Mark:
(4) Standard character mark.
Type of Mark:
Service mark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE

A&W

Serial Number:
97264091
Registration Number:
7010365
Word Mark:
A&W
Goods and Services:

IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20140623. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20141223.

Filling Date:
2022-02-11
Registration Date:
2023-03-28
Current Basis:
1A
Owner:
A&W Concentrate Company
Attorney of Record:
ALANA SHARENOW
Description of Mark:
(3) Illustration: Drawing or design which also includes word(s)/ letter(s)/number(s). The mark consists of a stylized "A", an ampersand, and a stylized "W".
Type of Mark:
Service mark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE

A&W ICE COLD ROOT BEER

Serial Number:
88123795
Registration Number:
5733737
Word Mark:
A&W ICE COLD ROOT BEER
Goods and Services:

IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20090101. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20090101.

Filling Date:
2018-09-19
Registration Date:
2019-04-23
Current Basis:
1A
Owner:
A&W Concentrate Company
Attorney of Record:
Alana Sharenow
Description of Mark:
(3) Illustration: Drawing or design which also includes word(s)/ letter(s)/number(s). The mark consists of a circle containing the words "A&W Root Beer" and a smaller circle containing the words "Ice Cold" and an arrow piercing the center of the circle.
Type of Mark:
Service mark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE

A&W ICE COLD ROOT BEER DRIVE THRU

Serial Number:
88123790
Registration Number:
5733736
Word Mark:
A&W ICE COLD ROOT BEER DRIVE THRU
Goods and Services:

IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20090101. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20090101.

Filling Date:
2018-09-19
Registration Date:
2019-04-23
Current Basis:
1A
Owner:
A&W Concentrate Company
Attorney of Record:
Alana Sharenow
Description of Mark:
(3) Illustration: Drawing or design which also includes word(s)/ letter(s)/number(s). The mark consists of a circle containing the words "A&W Root Beer" and a smaller circle containing the words "Ice Cold" and an arrow containing the words "Drive Thru" piercing the center of the circle.
Type of Mark:
Service mark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE

A&W

Serial Number:
87307993
Registration Number:
5265684
Word Mark:
A&W
Goods and Services:

IC 025. US 022 039. G & S Headwear; T-shirts; Tops. FIRST USE: 20040831. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20040831.

Filling Date:
2017-01-20
Registration Date:
2017-08-15
Current Basis:
1A
Owner:
A&W Concentrate Company
Attorney of Record:
Alana Sharenow
Description of Mark:
(4) Standard character mark.
Type of Mark:
Trademark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE

DIET VERNORS

Serial Number:
87307467
Registration Number:
5265621
Word Mark:
DIET VERNORS
Goods and Services:

IC 032. US 045 046 048. G & S Soft drinks; Syrups for making soft drinks. FIRST USE: 19851001. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19851001.

Filling Date:
2017-01-19
Registration Date:
2017-08-15
Current Basis:
1A
Owner:
A&W Concentrate Company
Attorney of Record:
Alana Sharenow
Description of Mark:
(4) Standard character mark.
Type of Mark:
Trademark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE

SQUIRT

Serial Number:
85479130
Registration Number:
4211592
Word Mark:
SQUIRT
Goods and Services:

IC 032. US 045 046 048. G & S Concentrates [ and powders ] for making non-alcoholic beverages. FIRST USE: 20120200. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20120200.

Filling Date:
2011-11-22
Registration Date:
2012-09-18
Current Basis:
1A
Owner:
A&W CONCENTRATE COMPANY
Attorney of Record:
Alana Sharenow
Description of Mark:
(4) Standard character mark.
Type of Mark:
Trademark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE

A&W

Serial Number:
78977881
Registration Number:
3218987
Word Mark:
A&W
Goods and Services:

IC 030. US 046. G & S frozen novelties, ice cream, candy. FIRST USE: 19890831. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19890831.

Filling Date:
2006-01-12
Registration Date:
2007-03-13
Current Basis:
1A
Owner:
A&W Concentrate Company
Attorney of Record:
Alana Sharenow
Description of Mark:
(4) Standard character mark.
Type of Mark:
Trademark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE

A&W

Serial Number:
78922496
Registration Number:
3237339
Word Mark:
A&W
Goods and Services:

IC 003. US 001 004 006 050 051 052. G & S Cosmetic products, namely lip balm and lip gloss. FIRST USE: 19810810. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19810810.

Filling Date:
2006-07-05
Registration Date:
2007-05-01
Current Basis:
1A
Owner:
A&W Concentrate Company
Attorney of Record:
Alana Sharenow
Description of Mark:
(4) Standard character mark.
Type of Mark:
Trademark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE

A & W ROOT BEER

Serial Number:
78056889
Registration Number:
2618319
Word Mark:
A & W ROOT BEER
Goods and Services:

IC 032. US 045 046 048. G & S Root beer and concentrates and syrups for making root beer. FIRST USE: 19180600. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19180600.

Filling Date:
2001-04-05
Registration Date:
2002-09-10
Current Basis:
1A
Owner:
A&W Concentrate Company
Attorney of Record:
Alana Sharenow
Description of Mark:
Type of Mark:
Trademark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE

A&W SWEETS & TREATS

Serial Number:
77903366
Registration Number:
4242336
Word Mark:
A&W SWEETS & TREATS
Goods and Services:

IC 030. US 046. G & S Frozen confections; Ice cream. FIRST USE: 20091231. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20091231.

Filling Date:
2009-12-31
Registration Date:
2012-11-13
Current Basis:
1A
Owner:
A&W Concentrate Company
Attorney of Record:
Alana Sharenow
Description of Mark:
(4) Standard character mark.
Type of Mark:
Trademark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE

A&W

Serial Number:
77602932
Registration Number:
3994320
Word Mark:
A&W
Goods and Services:

IC 030. US 046. G & S Topping syrup. FIRST USE: 20090330. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20090330.

Filling Date:
2008-10-29
Registration Date:
2011-07-12
Current Basis:
1A
Owner:
A&W CONCENTRATE COMPANY
Attorney of Record:
Alana Sharenow
Description of Mark:
(4) Standard character mark.
Type of Mark:
Trademark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE

A & W

Serial Number:
73619753
Registration Number:
1452355
Word Mark:
A & W
Goods and Services:

IC 029. US 046. G & S MEATS AND PROCESSED FOODS NAMELY, [ POTATO CHIPS, NON-DAIRY CREAMER AND ] CHICKEN FOR CONSUMPTION ON OR OFF RESTAURANT PREMISES. FIRST USE: 19631021. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19631021.

Filling Date:
1986-09-15
Registration Date:
1987-08-11
Current Basis:
1A
Owner:
A & W CONCENTRATE COMPANY
Attorney of Record:
Alana Sharenow
Description of Mark:
Type of Mark:
Trademark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE

A & W

Serial Number:
73619752
Registration Number:
1452385
Word Mark:
A & W
Goods and Services:

IC 030. US 046. G & S STAPLE FOODS, NAMELY, CHEESE SANDWICHES, HAMBURGER SANDWICHES, HOT-DOG SANDWICHES, INSTANT COFFEE, SALT, SUGAR AND CATSUP FOR CONSUMPTION ON OR OFF RESTAURANT PREMISES. FIRST USE: 19631021. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19631021.

Filling Date:
1986-09-15
Registration Date:
1987-08-11
Current Basis:
1A
Owner:
A & W CONCENTRATE COMPANY
Attorney of Record:
Alana Sharenow
Description of Mark:
Type of Mark:
Trademark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE

A & W

Serial Number:
73619728
Registration Number:
1455654
Word Mark:
A & W
Goods and Services:

IC 032. US 045. G & S SOFT DRINKS FOR CONSUMPTION ON OR OFF RESTAURANT PREMISES. FIRST USE: 19631021. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19631021.

Filling Date:
1986-09-15
Registration Date:
1987-09-01
Current Basis:
1A
Owner:
A&W CONCENTRATE COMPANY
Attorney of Record:
Alana Sharenow
Description of Mark:
Type of Mark:
Trademark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE

A & W

Serial Number:
73619727
Registration Number:
1436058
Word Mark:
A & W
Goods and Services:

IC 042. US 100. G & S RESTAURANT SERVICES. FIRST USE: 19631021. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19631021.

Filling Date:
1986-09-15
Registration Date:
1987-04-07
Current Basis:
1A
Owner:
A&W CONCENTRATE COMPANY
Attorney of Record:
Alana Sharenow
Description of Mark:
Type of Mark:
Service mark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE

ROCHESTER

Serial Number:
73580137
Registration Number:
1461237
Word Mark:
ROCHESTER
Goods and Services:

IC 032. US 045. G & S SOFT DRINKS AND SYRUPS, AND BASES AND CONCENTRATES FOR MAKING THE SAME. FIRST USE: 19851101. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19851101.

Filling Date:
1986-01-29
Registration Date:
1987-10-13
Current Basis:
1A
Owner:
A & W CONCENTRATE COMPANY
Attorney of Record:
Alana Sharenow
Description of Mark:
Type of Mark:
Trademark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE

VERNORS

Serial Number:
73361673
Registration Number:
1286301
Word Mark:
VERNORS
Goods and Services:

IC 032. US 045. G & S Soft Drinks Marketed in Bottles and Cans and Syrups for Making Soft Drinks. FIRST USE: 19751215. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19751215.

Filling Date:
1982-04-26
Registration Date:
1984-07-17
Current Basis:
1A
Owner:
A & W CONCENTRATE COMPANY
Attorney of Record:
Alana Sharenow
Description of Mark:
(5) Illustration: Drawing with word(s)/letter(s)/number(s) in Stylized form.
Type of Mark:
Trademark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE

A & W

Serial Number:
72211970
Registration Number:
801612
Word Mark:
A & W
Goods and Services:

IC 002. US 002. G & S RECEPTACLES USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE RESTAURANT TRADE, SUCH AS PAPER BAGS AND CARDBOARD CUPS. FIRST USE: 19541124. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19541124.

Filling Date:
1965-02-15
Registration Date:
1966-01-11
Current Basis:
1A
Owner:
A & W CONCENTRATE COMPANY
Attorney of Record:
Alana Sharenow
Description of Mark:
Type of Mark:
Trademark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE

SQUIRT

Serial Number:
72172618
Registration Number:
771971
Word Mark:
SQUIRT
Goods and Services:

IC 045. US 045. G & S Soft Drinks and the Bases and Syrups for Making the Same. FIRST USE: 19630606. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19630606.

Filling Date:
1963-07-08
Registration Date:
1964-06-23
Current Basis:
1A
Owner:
A & W Concentrate Company
Attorney of Record:
Alana Sharenow
Description of Mark:
(5) Illustration: Drawing with word(s)/letter(s)/number(s) in Stylized form.
Type of Mark:
Trademark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE

A & W

Serial Number:
72099991
Registration Number:
716618
Word Mark:
A & W
Goods and Services:

IC . US 100. G & S Drive-In Restaurant Services. FIRST USE: 19550815. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19550815.

Filling Date:
1960-06-30
Registration Date:
1961-06-06
Current Basis:
1A
Owner:
A&W CONCENTRATE COMPANY
Attorney of Record:
Alana Sharenow
Description of Mark:
Type of Mark:
Service mark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE

VERNORS

Serial Number:
71055398
Registration Number:
83107
Word Mark:
VERNORS
Goods and Services:

IC 045. US 045. G & S GINGER-ALE AND GINGER-ALE EXTRACT. FIRST USE: 18800101. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 18800101.

Filling Date:
1911-03-29
Registration Date:
1911-08-15
Current Basis:
1A
Owner:
A&W CONCENTRATE COMPANY
Attorney of Record:
Alana Sharenow
Description of Mark:
(4) Standard character mark.
Type of Mark:
Trademark
Register:
Principal
Live or Dead:
ACTIVE
Back to top