Lexington-Based A&W Secures Top Spot for French Fries
The restaurant chain maintains its third-place ranking in the 2026 USA Today 10Best fast food fry awards.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Dining Out
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Lexington-headquartered A&W Restaurants has earned third place for its french fries in the 2026 USA Today 10Best awards. The chain has consistently held this position since first appearing on the top 10 list in 2023.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the enduring popularity of the brand's menu offerings as it continues to expand its reach across the United States. A&W, which also earned runner-up honors for best fast food restaurant, maintains a significant presence in its home state of Kentucky.
A&W serves its menu across 38 states and maintains a minimum of 10 locations in Kentucky. The brand originated in 1926, growing from a root beer stand founded in California in 1919.
The players
A&W Restaurants
This fast food chain is headquartered in Lexington and operates numerous locations across the United States.
Roy W. Allen
He was one of the two founding partners who established the root beer business in California.
Frank Wright
He served as a founding partner for the restaurant chain, with his surname contributing to the brand identity.
The details
A&W Restaurants currently operates over 10 locations throughout Kentucky while maintaining a national footprint of 38 states. The brand name itself is derived from the initials of its original partners, Roy W. Allen and Frank Wright.
Timeline
1919: The chain was founded as a root beer stand in California.
1926: The A&W brand name was officially established.
2023: The restaurant began its annual streak on the 10Best list.
2025: The chain held the number three spot for french fries.
2026: A&W maintained its third-place ranking in the national survey.
Culture Shift
This recognition reflects a broader cultural trend toward valuing the consistency of legacy fast food brands in a highly competitive market. Such awards play a role in shaping consumer loyalty as diners increasingly rely on aggregated rankings to guide their choices.
Residents in Lexington can visit the local chain locations to sample the award-winning fries that have gained national recognition. The consistently high ranking may influence menu selection for daily diners looking for highly-rated fast food options.
The takeaway
Maintaining a top-three status in national food rankings suggests that classic menu items can successfully compete with newer market entrants. Consumers looking for reliable quick-service meals can utilize these annual lists to benchmark quality across different chains.
Further reading
For more on the local food scene, browse our Dining Out section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Lexington Herald Leader.
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