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We downed a frosty mug of the beverage, dreamt idly of a hot dog from the nearest A&W stand, and then headed to the official web site of the company. Upon entering the site, we took a moment to get our bearings, then clicked on the "About Us" link. One click later, we found ourselves us the A&W History page, which recounted the story of the company from its conception to the present day. The very first A&W root beer stand opened its doors in June of 1919 in Lodi, California. Roy Allen purchased the formula for the heady brew from a pharmacist in Arizona, mixed up a batch, and sold it for
a nickel a mug. The restaurant was a success, and Allen opened a second location in Sacramento. Soon Frank Wright, an employee at the original store in Lodi, became Allen's business partner, and in 1922, the drink took its official name from the first letter of both men's last names. In 1971, A&W root beer hit the shelves at local grocery stores. The company has changed hands several times in the ensuing years, yet the A&W initials remain a constant.
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