A&W Joins the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada in the Fight for a Cure

    
    One dollar from every Teen Burger(R) sold today across Canada donated to
    the MS Society
    

VANCOUVER, Aug. 27 /CNW/ - A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. (TSE: AW-UN.TW) celebrates its first ever national Cruisin' for a Cause Day today to benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. One dollar from every Teen Burger(R) sold across the country will go to MS.

More than 700 A&W restaurants across Canada will host Cruisin' for a Cause through a variety of events including classic car gatherings; retro music, car hop service and car hop relay races; hula hoop contests and Great Root Bear(R) visits.

"A&W franchisees and employees wanted to host a fundraising event which supports a worthy cause and also celebrates our customers' love of great food, classic cars, and fun summer memories at A&W," said Paul Hollands, President and CEO of A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. "Our team felt the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada was a perfect fit. The disease affects literally thousands of Canadians and their families. The MS Society provides support and information to these families; and leads world-class research to discover and develop treatments for this devastating disease."

"A&W has a deep tradition of promoting togetherness with family, a tremendous entrepreneurial spirit, and a history of giving back to the community," says Yves Savoie, president and CEO of the MS Society of Canada. "We are proud to have the A&W family and their loyal customers as partners in the movement to end MS."

Multiple Sclerosis is the most common neurological disease in young adults across Canada. Canada has one of the highest incidence rates of multiple sclerosis in the world - research and support for people with MS and their families is critical.

Founded in 1948, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is the only national voluntary organization in Canada that supports both MS research and services for people with MS and their families. Proceeds from the event will fund research to end multiple sclerosis as well as provide services for people impacted by MS today.

Cruisin' for a Cause creates an opportunity for Canadian baby boomers who grew up enjoying warm summer evenings in their cars at A&W drive-ins - often with the radio blaring and trays of Teen Burgers(TM), onion rings and icy cold A&W Root Beer delivered by car hops - to revisit those fond memories and support the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

In Quebec, Cruisin' for a Cause is known as Journée Rétro featuring a nostalgic theme with car hops delivering food and a 50's and 60's retro look for restaurants.

Cruisin for a Cause is a fundraising event affiliated with A&W's national Cruisin' the Dub program, which began about ten years ago at a truly grassroots level in various communities, created by baby boomer classic car enthusiasts who enjoyed gathering at A&W to share their passion for their vintage autos. A&W will hold more than 5,000 Cruisin' the Dub events this season.

A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. is 100 per cent Canadian owned and is one of the strongest brand names in the Canadian foodservice industry. A&W is the nation's second largest hamburger restaurant company with 700 locations coast-to-coast. A&W Restaurants feature famous trade-marked menu items such as The Burger Family(R), Chubby Chicken(R), and A&W Root Beer(R). For more information, please visit www.aw.ca.

About multiple sclerosis and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. It is the most common neurological disease of young adults in Canada. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40, and the unpredictable effects of MS last for the rest of their lives. The MS Society provides services to people with MS and their families and funds research to find the cause and cure for this disease. Please visit www.mssociety.ca or call 1-800-268-7582 to make a donation or for more information.

Contacts

Alex Chapple
Hoggan & Associates
achapple@hoggan.com
T: (604) 742-4264
C: (604) 512-6095