Oh no! As heard on BFM 89.9 this morning, Malaysia’s first drive-in restaurant A&W will be closed down by the end of this year.
As most of you might already know, A&W Restaurants is a chain of fast-food restaurants, distinguished by its draft root beer and root beer floats:
Source: Debbie Schlussel (debbieschlussel.com)
The A&W franchise was brought into Malaysia in 1963 by Mr and Mrs Lie Boff from USA. The Lie Boff family opened their first outlet in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman making it the first fast food outlet in Malaysia. This was followed in 1965 with the first drive-in restaurant in Petaling Jaya. In 2001, A&W Malaysia was bought over by KUB Malaysia Sdn Bhd and in 2008, embarked on an aggressive expansion drive to revamp and expand its reach.
However, this year, the company reported that they will close 34 A&W outlets (24 in Malaysia and 10 in Thailand) to reposition its business and operations to achieve sustainable growth. Any outlet that is not making money will be shut down or relocated
Yes, apparently this includes the iconic 24-hour A&W drive-in restaurant in Petaling Jaya.
Source: Khairul Hazim Zainudin (www.flickr.com/photos/hazim23894/4192203300)
It was also mentioned on BFM 89.9 that following the closure in December, the plot of land that used to house the A&W drive-in restaurant will be used for the development of two towering office blocks, to be known as KUB Tower, instead.
Upon the announcement, KUB Malaysia Sdn Bhd group managing director Wan Mohd Nor Wan Ahmad said:
We will retain only outlets that have heavy traffic based on the increase in sales, and we are looking at ways to increase customers’ satisfaction. The comprehensive plan has been approved by the board and the restructuring will address issues such as strengthening core competencies, enhancing business fundamentals, nurturing in-house talent and strengthening capital position.
KUB incurred a net loss of RM58.8 million for the year ended Dec 31, 2011 on a revenue of RM708.5 million and the losses were mainly attributed to the group’s food operations, spearheaded by its subsidiaries A&W (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd and A&W Restaurants (Thailand) Ltd Co. A&W in Malaysia and Thailand faced major setbacks in the 2011 fiscal year where it recorded losses totalling RM44.5 million, of which 50% was caused by impairment losses.
Source: Various
Here’s a brief walk down memory lane for those of you who feel as nostalgic as we do about A&W:
- The company name was taken from the last name initials of partners, Roy Allenand and Frank Wright.
- The most famous A&W outlet is the first drive-in restaurant in Petaling Jaya, which opened in 1965 and quickly became a favourite gathering place for students, especially from the nearby Assunta and La Salle Secondary Schools.
- The unique A&W root beer mug was often “collected” by these young customers back then. “Collected” cough cough.
- It was THE filming location for Malaysian movies during the 70s and early 80s.
- Other than its signature draft rootbeer and rootbear float, A&W also serves typical fast food menu burgers, French fries as well as hot dogs.
Sources: Groupon Malaysia & Ling Low (poskod.my)
- And who can forget the A&W waffles, served with either butter and syrup or ice-cream. Or plain, if you like. To each his or her own.
- Customers from the 70s (and 80s, even) will recall Tuesdays as “Coney Dog Day”.
- Most people who have been to the restaurant would also remember the “party room” where birthday celebrations and other events were often held and where the A&W bear would make surprise appearances.
- Most people who have been to the restaurant would also remember how children were more often than not afraid of the large but otherwise super friendly A&W Root Bear.
Source: forums.hardwarezone.com.sg
- During the mid-80s, A&W also operated a second Petaling Jaya outlet at the Atria Shopping Complex in Section SS22 Damansara Jaya. In Penang, A&W had an outlet at KOMTAR and Penang International Airport and has close down.
- During the 90s, A&W operated an outlet at Terminal 3 of the former Subang International Airport. This outlet ceased operations when the airport shifted from Subang to KLIA in 1998.
- To date, several more A&W outlets have been opened, mostly in shopping malls.
We’re quite bummed by the news as A&W was part of our childhood. Time to make a dash to the A&W drive-in restaurant before it closes down for good!
Do you guys have any memorable experiences/moments there? How many of you have celebrated your birthday or the birthday of someone you know at A&W drive-in restaurant in Petaling Jaya? Share it with us in the comments!
(Source)