A&W Restaurants Menu USA – Updates Prices 2026
A&W runs from about $1.29 for a soft serve cone up to $6.99 for a Papa Burger, with combo meals typically $9.99-$13.59. Below is the full menu across every category, how a single root beer stand in 1919 became America’s first franchised fast-food chain — decades before McDonald’s or Burger King — and why the root beer float remains served in a genuine frosted glass mug at dine-in locations.
How we built this page: prices below are estimated national averages compiled by cross-checking multiple public menu-price trackers as of 2026, not a single unverified source. A&W operates roughly 600 US locations, and pricing varies by store and region. Always confirm at your local restaurant or in the app before ordering.
Jump to: The Burger Family | Root Beer Float | Coney Dogs | Allergens | FAQ
About A&W
Roy Allen opened the first A&W root beer stand on June 20, 1919, in Lodi, California. He had developed a proprietary root beer recipe and began selling it from a roadside stand to help raise money for returning World War I veterans — the root beer was an immediate success. In 1922, Allen partnered with Frank Wright, and the brand became A&W — Allen & Wright. In 1923, they began franchising, making A&W the first franchised fast-food restaurant chain in American history, three decades before McDonald’s or Burger King existed.
The brand changed hands multiple times over the following century, including ownership by United Brands and later Yum! Brands (often paired with Long John Silver’s), before being purchased in 2011 by A Great American Brand LLC — a group of franchisees who wanted to return the brand to its original glory.
See Also: Carrabba’s Italian Grill Menu
The Burger Family
| Item | Estimated Price | Calories (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Mama Burger | $5.49 | 400 |
| Teen Burger | $5.99 | 480 |
| Papa Burger | $6.99 | 560 |
| Grandpa Burger (double, premium) | $7.49-$8.49 | 720 |
The “Burger Family” naming convention — Mama, Teen, Papa — has been part of A&W’s identity for generations, using 100% US-raised beef.
Beyond Meat & Plant-Based Options
| Item | Estimated Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beyond Meat Burger | $6.99-$7.99 | Available at many locations as a plant-based alternative |
| Veggie Burger | $5.99-$6.99 | Approximately 430 kcal |
Coney Dogs & Hot Dogs
| Item | Estimated Price | Calories (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Coney Dog | $3.99 | 420 |
| Double Cheese Coney Dog | $4.99-$5.49 | 510 |
Chicken
| Item | Estimated Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Tenders (3 pc) | $5.49 | Hand-breaded |
| Grilled Chicken Sandwich | $5.99-$6.49 | 390 kcal, a lighter option |
| Chicken Strips (5 pc, combo) | $8.99-$10.99 |
Sides
| Item | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| Onion Rings | $3.49 |
| French Fries | $2.99-$3.49 |
Root Beer & Root Beer Float
| Item | Estimated Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A&W Root Beer (mug, dine-in) | $2.49-$2.99 | Served in a signature frosted glass mug at full-service locations |
| Root Beer Float | $3.99-$5.29 | Vanilla ice cream dropped into A&W Original Root Beer, on the menu since Roy Allen’s first 1919 stand |
| Soft Serve Cone | $1.29 | The cheapest item on the entire menu |
Root beer floats have been on the A&W menu since the very first stand in Lodi, California, in 1919. At full-service locations the float comes in the classic frosty mug; at counter-service units it’s typically served in a cup.
Combo Meals
| Item | Estimated Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Combo (burger, fries, drink) | $9.99-$13.59 | |
| Combo with Root Beer Float upgrade | +$4.49-$5.29 | Premium upgrade over a standard drink |
Kids Menu
| Item | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| Kids Meal (burger, tenders, or corn dog) | $5.49-$6.49 |
| Kids Ice Cream Cone | $0.75-$1.29 |
Family Meals
| Item | Estimated Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4-Burger Family Combo | $25-$35 | Value-packed bundle for group dining, available through the app |
A&W’s Specialty & Services
A&W’s specialty is genuinely fresh, in-store-prepared root beer — made daily using actual cane sugar and an exclusive mix of ingredients, a preparation standard that predates modern fast food entirely since the chain’s 1919 founding. Beyond the standard menu:
- First franchised fast-food chain in American history: A&W began franchising in 1923, three decades before McDonald’s or Burger King, a genuine historical distinction rather than a marketing claim
- Frosted glass mugs for dine-in: the root beer and root beer floats are served in a genuine frosted mug at full-service locations, a tradition dating back to the earliest stands
- Free Root Beer Float text promotion: texting the word FLOAT to 57501 has historically triggered a coupon for a free small root beer float, redeemable on a future visit
Allergen Quick-Reference
| Item | Gluten | Dairy | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burger Bun | Yes | No | Wheat-based |
| Root Beer Float | No | Yes | Ice cream base, root beer itself is dairy-free |
| Chicken Tenders | Yes | No | Hand-breaded, wheat-based |
| Onion Rings | Yes | No | Wheat-based breading |
This is a general reference only — A&W’s official nutrition and allergen guide covers calories, carbs, fat, protein, and common allergens like milk, soy, wheat, and egg for every item; staff should be notified of any severe allergy before ordering.
Approximate Nutrition (Protein / Carbs / Fat)
| Item | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mama Burger | ~400 kcal | 18g | 32g | 21g |
| Papa Burger | ~560 kcal | 28g | 36g | 32g |
| Grilled Chicken Sandwich | ~390 kcal | 28g | 34g | 14g |
Root Beer Floats range from approximately 330-640 kcal depending on size.
Most Popular Orders
| Item | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| Papa Burger | $6.99 |
| Root Beer Float | $3.99-$5.29 |
| Coney Dog | $3.99 |
| Onion Rings | $3.49 |
A&W vs. Other Value Fast Food Chains
| Chain | Comparable Item | Estimated Price |
|---|---|---|
| A&W | Papa Burger | $6.99 |
| McDonald’s | Big Mac | $5.99 |
| Burger King | Whopper | $6.49 |
| Sonic | Jr. Burger (for floats/drive-in) | $2.99 |
A&W is priced competitively with McDonald’s and Burger King in the value fast-food tier, with unique differentiators — the Root Beer Float, Coney Dogs, and Onion Rings — that have no direct equivalent at either competitor. Sonic remains the closest competitor for floats and drive-in format.
Price Quick-Reference
- Cheapest item: Soft Serve Cone — $1.29 (or Kids Ice Cream Cone at $0.75)
- Cheapest burger: Mama Burger — $5.49
- Most expensive standard item: Grandpa Burger or premium combos — up to $8.49+ before combo pricing
- Best combo value: 4-Burger Family Combo, available through the app
Deals & Loyalty
Texting FLOAT to 57501 has historically triggered a coupon for a free small root beer float, redeemable on a future visit. The A&W app also features Family Meal bundles and digital coupons, including value-packed 4-burger combos and family-sized sides for group dining.
Service Options & Dining Details
- Service options: dine-in (full-service with frosted mugs), drive-through, takeout, delivery through third-party platforms
- Popular for: root beer floats, nostalgic Americana dining, quick burger and hot dog meals
- Amenities: frosted glass mugs at dine-in locations, root beer brewed fresh in-store daily
A&W Hours
Most A&W locations are open daily from approximately 10:00 AM to 9:00-10:00 PM, with some variation by location. Check the app or your local restaurant’s page for exact hours.
Nutrition & Dietary Quick Facts
- The Grilled Chicken Sandwich and Veggie Burger offer more balanced calorie profiles than the classic burger lineup
- 100% US-raised beef and antibiotic-free chicken reflect A&W’s stated ingredient-quality commitment
- A&W’s official nutrition menu PDF covers every burger, hot dog, chicken item, and shake combination
- Root Beer Floats range widely in calories (330-640 kcal) depending on size ordered
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a burger at A&W?
The Mama Burger runs about $5.49, with the Papa Burger at $6.99, as estimated national averages.
Is A&W really the oldest fast-food chain in America?
Yes — Roy Allen opened the first A&W root beer stand in Lodi, California, on June 20, 1919, and the chain began franchising in 1923, three decades before McDonald’s or Burger King.
What does A&W stand for?
The initials of founders Roy Allen and Frank Wright, who partnered in 1922.
Is the root beer float served in a real mug?
Yes, at full-service dine-in locations — the classic frosted glass mug remains part of the experience; counter-service units typically serve it in a cup.
Does A&W have plant-based options?
Yes — many locations feature the Beyond Meat burger as a plant-based alternative, alongside a traditional Veggie Burger.
How do I get a free root beer float at A&W?
Texting the word FLOAT to 57501 has historically triggered a coupon for a free small root beer float, redeemable on a future visit.
Who owns A&W now?
A Great American Brand LLC, a group of franchisees who purchased the company in 2011 to return it to its original identity.
Is A&W cheaper than McDonald’s?
Pricing is close on comparable burgers — neither chain is consistently cheaper.
How many A&W locations are there?
Roughly 600 US locations.
What is the cheapest item at A&W?
The Soft Serve Cone, at $1.29 (or $0.75 for the kids’ size), is typically the least expensive item.
What Makes A&W Different
A&W built its identity around genuinely fresh, in-store-prepared root beer and the frosted mug tradition that’s remained core to the brand since Roy Allen’s original 1919 stand in Lodi, California. As America’s first franchised fast-food chain — beginning in 1923, decades before McDonald’s or Burger King existed — A&W has kept its heritage front and center, with the Root Beer Float, Coney Dogs, and the “Burger Family” naming convention giving it a nostalgic identity that no competitor fully replicates.
This page is independently published and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by A Great American Brand LLC (A&W Restaurants). All prices are estimated national averages compiled from multiple public sources and may not reflect current pricing at your local restaurant. Last updated: 2026.
