I live in the city where A&W has its headquarters, and it’s plain to see that the company is in trouble.I used to eat at one, back in the 60s (yeah, that long ago) and I thought the food was good. I don’t know if it’s even still there.
When I was a college student I had a job at an A&W fast food restaurant for a while. We got all the root beer we wanted for free but had to pay half-price for the hamburgers as I recall (unless we worked a double shift). The pay was pretty low (guys weren't covered by the minimum wage law so the man who ran the place would only hire guys over 18 and no women, because women had to be paid minimum wage), but with tips it came out close to the minimum wage. That outlet closed long ago.
I don't remember having seen the A&W bear.