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A&W
A&W
Canada Parent company: A&W Food Services of Canada Inc.
Burgers
web.aw.ca
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True North
100%
Capital: Canada
Capital: Canada (profits)
Control: Canada
Control: Canada (decisions)

A&W Canada operates as a fully independent domestic entity with no capital ties to its US namesake. Its True North score reflects maximum economic retention through Canadian ownership, strategic control, and a localized supply chain. The brand's profits and operational dividends remain within the Canadian economy.

Vector Breakdown
Inputs
medium
20 /20
The brand maintains high-profile domestic sourcing commitments for several primary agricultural inputs.
Capital
Capital (profits)
high
40 /40
The entity is a Canadian-owned private corporation that is entirely separate from the American brand of the same name.
Control
Control (decisions)
high
20 /20
Strategic decision-making, brand management, and menu development are headquartered in North Vancouver, British Columbia.
Operations
high
20 /20
The organization maintains an extensive network of restaurants and corporate infrastructure across all Canadian provinces.
True North Summary

A&W Canada operates as a fully independent domestic entity with no capital ties to its US namesake. Its True North score reflects maximum economic retention through Canadian ownership, strategic control, and a localized supply chain. The brand's profits and operational dividends remain within the Canadian economy.

Checked: 2026-01-21
Confidence: High
What Would Change This Score
  • Acquisition by a foreign multi-brand conglomerate
  • Relocation of the primary corporate headquarters outside of Canada
  • Significant shifts in sourcing policy away from domestic producers
Research Details
Availability
Checked: 2026-01-23
Canada confirmed
Yes
Store locator
Found
Store locator
Province availability Found
Alberta flag
Alberta
British Columbia flag
British Columbia
Manitoba flag
Manitoba
New Brunswick flag
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador flag
Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia flag
Nova Scotia
Ontario flag
Ontario
Prince Edward Island flag
Prince Edward Island
Quebec flag
Quebec
Saskatchewan flag
Saskatchewan
Yukon flag
Yukon
Operates in all 10 provinces and the Yukon territory. The sole location in the Northwest Territories (Yellowknife) closed in December 2024. No locations are currently listed for Nunavut.
Stores nationwide
1,073
The official 'Our Company' page cites 1,050 locations, but the Fiscal 2024 year-end report (published March 2025) confirms a net count of 1,073 restaurants. Management projected reaching 1,085–1,100 by the end of 2025.
Sources
  • "Since then, A&W has expanded to 1,050 restaurants coast-to-coast that are all Canadian owned and operated."
    Source
  • "Find an A&W... Good food is never far away."
    Source
  • "2222 2nd Avenue, Whitehorse... Province: Yukon"
    Source
  • "A&W has expanded to 1,050 restaurants coast-to-coast"
    Source
  • "Total A&W restaurants to be... 1,073 by end of Fiscal 2024"
    Source
Allergen Guide
Checked: 2026-01-23
Allergen guide
Found
Guide link
Guide last updated
2022-02
Priority allergens listed
Yes
Cross-contact disclaimer
Yes
Fryer status
Shared
Sources
  • "A & W Food Services of Canada Inc. A&W Allergen Statement."
    Source
  • "We are committed to providing our guests with the most current ingredient, nutritional and allergen information related to our products. The safety of our guests is a top priority. Regular kitchen operations may result in food sharing common preparatory, cooking or holding areas. The shared use of equipment (fryers, grill, etc.) and utensils may also occur."
    Source
  • "Feb-2022"
    Source
  • "peanuts tree nuts sesame seeds milk wheat & other gluten soy eggs fish shellfish sulphites mustard other"
    Source
  • "Regular kitchen operations may result in food sharing common preparatory, cooking or holding areas. The shared use of equipment (fryers, grill, etc.) and utensils may also occur. For individuals with food allergies, this may represent an opportunity for cross-contact with their allergen of concern."
    Source
  • "The shared use of equipment (fryers, grill, etc.) and utensils may also occur."
    Source
View
Simple focuses on the decision; detailed shows evidence and scoring.
Sensitivity mode
Adjusts penalty strength for missing controls; evidence stays the same.
Gluten (GF)

Checked: 2026-01-23

GF verdict
Shared fryer reported — high cross-contact risk.
Weak (0/100)
Evidence confidence: High
Measures disclosure & controls, not a guarantee.
Top drivers
  • Shared fryer reported
  • No GF prep protocol published
Ask staff
  • Are gluten-free items available, and how are they handled?
  • Can a manager confirm your gluten-free prep protocol (separate surfaces/utensils)?
Why this verdict
Evidence found
  • GF cross-contact warning found
  • Allergen guide last updated date found
Missing controls
  • Shared fryer explicitly stated
GF menu or page: Not stated GF prep protocol: Not stated Cross-contact warning: Found Fryer/shared equipment: Found
Questions to ask
  • Are gluten-free items available, and how are they handled?
  • Can a manager confirm your gluten-free prep protocol (separate surfaces/utensils)?
Evidence & sources
GF menu or page
Not stated
GF prep protocol
Not stated
GF cross-contact warning
Found
GF certified language
Not stated
Fryer status
Shared
  • "Regular kitchen operations may result in food sharing common preparatory, cooking or holding areas. The shared use of equipment (fryers, grill, etc.) and utensils may also occur."
    Source
  • "Regular kitchen operations may result in food sharing common preparatory, cooking or holding areas. The shared use of equipment (fryers, grill, etc.) and utensils may also occur. For individuals with food allergies, this may represent an opportunity for cross-contact with their allergen of concern."
    Source
  • "The shared use of equipment (fryers, grill, etc.) and utensils may also occur."
    Source
Scoring details
  • GF cross-contact warning found (+15)
  • Allergen guide last updated date found (+5)
  • Shared fryer explicitly stated (-25)
Safety notes
  • Scores measure published evidence and stated controls, not guaranteed safety.
  • “Not stated” means an official page was found but didn’t mention the item.
  • Policies vary by location and over time; confirm with staff.
GF verdict
Shared fryer reported — high cross-contact risk.
Weak (5/100)
Evidence confidence: High
Measures disclosure & controls, not a guarantee.
Top drivers
  • Shared fryer reported
  • No GF prep protocol published
Ask staff
  • Are gluten-free items available, and how are they handled?
  • Can a manager confirm your gluten-free prep protocol (separate surfaces/utensils)?
Why this verdict
Evidence found
  • GF cross-contact warning found
  • Allergen guide last updated date found
Missing controls
  • Shared fryer explicitly stated
GF menu or page: Not stated GF prep protocol: Not stated Cross-contact warning: Found Fryer/shared equipment: Found
Questions to ask
  • Are gluten-free items available, and how are they handled?
  • Can a manager confirm your gluten-free prep protocol (separate surfaces/utensils)?
Evidence & sources
GF menu or page
Not stated
GF prep protocol
Not stated
GF cross-contact warning
Found
GF certified language
Not stated
Fryer status
Shared
  • "Regular kitchen operations may result in food sharing common preparatory, cooking or holding areas. The shared use of equipment (fryers, grill, etc.) and utensils may also occur."
    Source
  • "Regular kitchen operations may result in food sharing common preparatory, cooking or holding areas. The shared use of equipment (fryers, grill, etc.) and utensils may also occur. For individuals with food allergies, this may represent an opportunity for cross-contact with their allergen of concern."
    Source
  • "The shared use of equipment (fryers, grill, etc.) and utensils may also occur."
    Source
Scoring details
  • GF cross-contact warning found (+15)
  • Allergen guide last updated date found (+5)
  • Shared fryer explicitly stated (-15)
Safety notes
  • Scores measure published evidence and stated controls, not guaranteed safety.
  • “Not stated” means an official page was found but didn’t mention the item.
  • Policies vary by location and over time; confirm with staff.
GF verdict
Shared fryer reported — high cross-contact risk.
Weak (10/100)
Evidence confidence: High
Measures disclosure & controls, not a guarantee.
Top drivers
  • Shared fryer reported
  • No GF prep protocol published
Ask staff
  • Are gluten-free items available, and how are they handled?
  • Can a manager confirm your gluten-free prep protocol (separate surfaces/utensils)?
Why this verdict
Evidence found
  • GF cross-contact warning found
  • Allergen guide last updated date found
Missing controls
  • Shared fryer explicitly stated
GF menu or page: Not stated GF prep protocol: Not stated Cross-contact warning: Found Fryer/shared equipment: Found
Questions to ask
  • Are gluten-free items available, and how are they handled?
  • Can a manager confirm your gluten-free prep protocol (separate surfaces/utensils)?
Evidence & sources
GF menu or page
Not stated
GF prep protocol
Not stated
GF cross-contact warning
Found
GF certified language
Not stated
Fryer status
Shared
  • "Regular kitchen operations may result in food sharing common preparatory, cooking or holding areas. The shared use of equipment (fryers, grill, etc.) and utensils may also occur."
    Source
  • "Regular kitchen operations may result in food sharing common preparatory, cooking or holding areas. The shared use of equipment (fryers, grill, etc.) and utensils may also occur. For individuals with food allergies, this may represent an opportunity for cross-contact with their allergen of concern."
    Source
  • "The shared use of equipment (fryers, grill, etc.) and utensils may also occur."
    Source
Scoring details
  • GF cross-contact warning found (+15)
  • Allergen guide last updated date found (+5)
  • Shared fryer explicitly stated (-10)
Safety notes
  • Scores measure published evidence and stated controls, not guaranteed safety.
  • “Not stated” means an official page was found but didn’t mention the item.
  • Policies vary by location and over time; confirm with staff.
Nuts (peanut + tree nut not distinguished yet)

Checked: 2026-01-23

Nut verdict
No published nut policy — assume nuts may be present and cross-contact is possible.
Weak (0/100)
Evidence confidence: High
Measures disclosure & controls, not a guarantee.
Peanut vs tree-nut policies aren’t separated for this restaurant yet.
Top drivers
  • No explicit nut policy published
  • Shared fryer reported
Ask staff
  • Do you have a written peanut policy and a separate tree-nut policy?
Why this verdict
Evidence found
  • Cross-contact disclaimer found
  • Allergen guide last updated date found
Missing controls
  • Explicit nut/peanut policy not stated
  • Shared fryer explicitly stated
Explicit nut policy: Not stated Cross-contact disclaimer: Found Fryer/shared equipment: Found Last updated date: Found
Questions to ask
  • Do you have a written peanut policy and a separate tree-nut policy?
Evidence & sources
Explicit nut policy
Not stated
Nut-free items claimed
Not stated
Cross-contact disclaimer
Yes
Fryer status
Shared
  • "Regular kitchen operations may result in food sharing common preparatory, cooking or holding areas. The shared use of equipment (fryers, grill, etc.) and utensils may also occur. For individuals with food allergies, this may represent an opportunity for cross-contact with their allergen of concern."
    Source
  • "The shared use of equipment (fryers, grill, etc.) and utensils may also occur."
    Source
Scoring details
  • Cross-contact disclaimer found (+20)
  • Allergen guide last updated date found (+5)
  • Explicit nut/peanut policy not stated (cap at 30)
  • Shared fryer explicitly stated (-30)
Safety notes
  • Scores measure published evidence and stated controls, not guaranteed safety.
  • “Not stated” means an official page was found but didn’t mention the item.
  • Policies vary by location and over time; confirm with staff.
Nut verdict
No published nut policy — assume nuts may be present and cross-contact is possible.
Weak (5/100)
Evidence confidence: High
Measures disclosure & controls, not a guarantee.
Peanut vs tree-nut policies aren’t separated for this restaurant yet.
Top drivers
  • No explicit nut policy published
  • Shared fryer reported
Ask staff
  • Do you have a written peanut policy and a separate tree-nut policy?
Why this verdict
Evidence found
  • Cross-contact disclaimer found
  • Allergen guide last updated date found
Missing controls
  • Explicit nut/peanut policy not stated
  • Shared fryer explicitly stated
Explicit nut policy: Not stated Cross-contact disclaimer: Found Fryer/shared equipment: Found Last updated date: Found
Questions to ask
  • Do you have a written peanut policy and a separate tree-nut policy?
Evidence & sources
Explicit nut policy
Not stated
Nut-free items claimed
Not stated
Cross-contact disclaimer
Yes
Fryer status
Shared
  • "Regular kitchen operations may result in food sharing common preparatory, cooking or holding areas. The shared use of equipment (fryers, grill, etc.) and utensils may also occur. For individuals with food allergies, this may represent an opportunity for cross-contact with their allergen of concern."
    Source
  • "The shared use of equipment (fryers, grill, etc.) and utensils may also occur."
    Source
Scoring details
  • Cross-contact disclaimer found (+20)
  • Allergen guide last updated date found (+5)
  • Explicit nut/peanut policy not stated (cap at 40)
  • Shared fryer explicitly stated (-20)
Safety notes
  • Scores measure published evidence and stated controls, not guaranteed safety.
  • “Not stated” means an official page was found but didn’t mention the item.
  • Policies vary by location and over time; confirm with staff.
Nut verdict
No published nut policy — assume nuts may be present and cross-contact is possible.
Weak (15/100)
Evidence confidence: High
Measures disclosure & controls, not a guarantee.
Peanut vs tree-nut policies aren’t separated for this restaurant yet.
Top drivers
  • No explicit nut policy published
  • Shared fryer reported
Ask staff
  • Do you have a written peanut policy and a separate tree-nut policy?
Why this verdict
Evidence found
  • Cross-contact disclaimer found
  • Allergen guide last updated date found
Missing controls
  • Explicit nut/peanut policy not stated
  • Shared fryer explicitly stated
Explicit nut policy: Not stated Cross-contact disclaimer: Found Fryer/shared equipment: Found Last updated date: Found
Questions to ask
  • Do you have a written peanut policy and a separate tree-nut policy?
Evidence & sources
Explicit nut policy
Not stated
Nut-free items claimed
Not stated
Cross-contact disclaimer
Yes
Fryer status
Shared
  • "Regular kitchen operations may result in food sharing common preparatory, cooking or holding areas. The shared use of equipment (fryers, grill, etc.) and utensils may also occur. For individuals with food allergies, this may represent an opportunity for cross-contact with their allergen of concern."
    Source
  • "The shared use of equipment (fryers, grill, etc.) and utensils may also occur."
    Source
Scoring details
  • Cross-contact disclaimer found (+20)
  • Allergen guide last updated date found (+5)
  • Explicit nut/peanut policy not stated (cap at 50)
  • Shared fryer explicitly stated (-10)
Safety notes
  • Scores measure published evidence and stated controls, not guaranteed safety.
  • “Not stated” means an official page was found but didn’t mention the item.
  • Policies vary by location and over time; confirm with staff.
Dietary
Checked: 2026-01-23
Vegetarian section
Yes
Vegetarian items (approx)
5
Vegan section
No
Vegan items (approx)
Unknown
Halal availability
Null
Kosher availability
Null
Sources
  • "This new addition complements A&W's growing range of permanent vegetarian menu options, which includes the popular Masala Veggie Burger, Crispy Veggie Burger and Spicy Piri-Piri Potato Buddy Burger™."
  • "includes the popular Masala Veggie Burger, Crispy Veggie Burger and Spicy Piri-Piri Potato Buddy Burger™... [and] the new A&W Plant-Based Burger."
  • "We continue to partner with our friends at Beyond Meat to serve the Beyond Meat Burger all across Canada."
    Source
  • "the A&W Plant-Based Burger is the newest vegetarian offering available for Canadians... patty is topped with... mayonnaise."
  • "not_stated"
    Source
Nutrition & Ingredients
Checked: 2026-01-23
Nutrition tool or PDF
Found
Nutrition source
Calories disclosed
Yes
Sodium disclosed
Yes
Ingredients list
Found
Ingredients
MSG statement
Not stated
Artificial colors
Found
Preservatives
Found
Sources
  • "Calories 500 Fat 30g Protein 27g. Ingredients. Allergen Information."
    Source
  • "Teen Burger™ lettuce-wrapped. Calories 500 Fat 30g Protein 27g."
    Source
  • "We are committed to providing our guests with the most current ingredient, nutritional and allergen information related to our products."
    Source
  • "Ingredients. Pure Beef Patty: 100% beef. A&W® Seasoning: Salt, sea salts (potassium chloride, sea salt), spices, sugar, cornstarch, garlic powder..."
    Source
  • "Please see the table below for allergen information for our standard menu items. [Table lists Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Sesame, Milk, Wheat, Soy, Egg, Fish, Shellfish, Sulphites, Mustard but not MSG]"
    Source
  • "A&W Food Services of Canada will be the first national burger chain to eliminate all processed cheese and serve real Cheddar cheese, made without artificial flavours, colours, or preservatives."
  • "As of October 1, 2018, instead of processed cheese, all A&W menu items featuring cheese will be crafted with real cheese, made using 100% Canadian milk... made without artificial flavours, colours, or preservatives."
Rewards Research
Checked: 2026-01-23
Program exists
Yes
Program name
A&W Rewards
Signup methods
App
Sources
  • "There's also an FAQ page about the program at https://web.aw.ca/en/faq/rewards."
    Source
  • "A&W Canada has launched a new rewards initiative, giving customers the opportunity to earn points on purchases and redeem them for free menu items."
    Source
  • "The program, called A&W Rewards, is now available across the country through the A&W mobile app and in-restaurant QR scanning."
    Source
  • "New mobile guests can download the app and sign up for an account... If you already have an account on the A&W App, you are all set up!"
    Source
Financial Audit: A&W Rewards
Estimated Return Rate
1.42% Return
Verdict: Poor
Based on earning 0.0000 digital stamps/$1 and redeeming 7 for $2.49 value.
Vector Breakdown
Inputs
medium
20 /20
The brand maintains high-profile domestic sourcing commitments for several primary agricultural inputs.
Capital
Capital (profits)
high
40 /40
The entity is a Canadian-owned private corporation that is entirely separate from the American brand of the same name.
Control
Control (decisions)
high
20 /20
Strategic decision-making, brand management, and menu development are headquartered in North Vancouver, British Columbia.
Operations
high
20 /20
The organization maintains an extensive network of restaurants and corporate infrastructure across all Canadian provinces.
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