Contest-winning customer visits A&W(R) resturants headquarters, introduces origional burger receipe to A&W executives

Michigan Department of Corrections Inspector Wows Team with Smoky Cheddar and Ranch Burger

October 31, 2007 // Franchising.com // LOUISVILLE, KY, - Sharing a burger recipe passed down from his mother resulted in a V.I.P. trip to A&W® Restaurants headquarters for a Michigan man. Kevin Lindsey, 39, entered a national A&W contest asking customers to create their own A&W burger recipes, and his "Smoky Cheddar and Ranch Burger" was the winning entry.

"I was really surprised. I never expected to hear back from them after I submitted the recipe this summer," said Lindsey, who works as an Inspector for the Michigan Department of Corrections. "It's all pretty cool."

Lindsey sent in his recipe during a summertime promotion celebrating A&W Restaurants' 100 percent U.S. beef hamburgers. The "Moove to American" campaign included the chance for consumers to create an original A&W burger, with a grand prize of a trip to the company's Louisville, Ky., headquarters and a year's supply of A&W's 100 percent U.S. beef Papa Burgers®. Lindsey and his wife Miranda visited Louisville Oct. 22 through Oct. 24.

Lindsey's original burger recipe includes sirloin beef, cheddar cheese, ranch and smoky seasoning. On his visit to A&W headquarters, Lindsey worked with the company's Food Innovation team to further refine the recipe, and personally served his burgers to A&W President Ben Butler and his senior executive team.

"It's no surprise that Kevin's recipe for an A&W burger received rave reviews from our president," said Tim Matis, Director of Marketing for A&W. "Kevin and his family are dedicated A&W fans - even driving 50 miles roundtrip to the closest restaurant for A&W burgers - and that affection for the brand was evident in his burger recipe."

While in Louisville, the Lindseys were serenaded by the Yum! Brands "recognition band," met with the A&W Food Innovation team, enjoyed a guided tour of A&W and Yum! Brands headquarters, enjoyed lunch with A&W executives and visited local tourist attractions.

Later this year, Lindsey's burger recipe will be featured (for one day only) at the A&W Restaurant in Mason, Mich. Customers will be able to sample the slightly modified recipe created by a fellow A&W fan while also supporting a local charity. A&W franchisee Keith Mulder reports that the Angel House in Mason, a home for battered children, will be the beneficiary of the restaurant's fund raiser.

The A&W® brand was founded in 1919, and A&W® All American Food® is famous for serving a signature frosty mug root beer float and All American pure-beef hamburgers and hot dogs. There are more than 675 A&W® All American Food® outlets in 15 countries and territories around the world, and more than 600 additional points of distribution at Yum! Brands multibrand restaurants. A&W Restaurants, Inc. is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM), Louisville, Ky.

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