Hooray for celebrating the cool, creamy and sweet root beer floats.
On Thursday, Aug. 6, the day deemed National Root Beer Float Day, one of the most iconic and oldest restaurant chains in the country has a great deal.
A&W Restaurants is continuing its tradition of celebrating its signature root beer floats and giving back.Customers visiting restaurants can get a small root beer float for free. The offer is good from 2-8 p.m. at participating locations nationwide.
In 2013, A&W launched its annual National Root Beer Float Day celebration, which helps raise money for Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Since then, guests have helped raise more than $1 million to support American veterans and their families.
“National Root Beer Float Day is one of our favorite days of the year because it brings people together over a free treat while supporting those who have served our country,” said Betsy Schmandt, CEO and president of A&W Restaurants, in a news release. “For more than a decade, our guests and franchise partners have helped A&W raise more than $1 million in support of American veterans and their families, and this year, we’re aiming to make an even greater impact.”
While root beer floats are free on Thursday, customers are encouraged to make a voluntary donation to DAV or purchase a commemorative, 2026 limited-edition collector’s mug for $10 while supplies last. A&W donates all mug sales proceeds to DAV – a nonprofit organization that helps more than 1 million veterans and their families with various no-cost services, according to a press release.
A record $175,000 was raised last year, its largest donation to DAV – in support. That amount surpassed A&W’s goal of $150,000 for the annual tradition.
“Our commitment to U.S. service members traces back more than a century, starting with a humble Root Beer Stand serving frosty mugs to World War I heroes,” its website says.
Customers can find locations participating in A&W’s annual tradition at rootbeerfloatday.com, or follow the chain’s social media outlets.
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @SusanMariecooks. Subscribe to the Eat Drink Freep newsletter for insider scoops on food and dining in metro Detroit.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: A&W Root Beer floats are on the house on Thursday
Reporting by Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
