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Perhaps the most well-known root beer brand, A&W, was created by Roy W. Allen in 1919. Starting from a simple root beer stand, Allen expanded his venture into a franchise, developing what would become the first restaurant franchise in the U.S. A&W's wide reach was solidified when bottled versions became available in the early 1970s. Characterized by its smoothness and creamy texture, A&W remains a staple in the soft drink market, even as it faced competition from other brands.