Throwback Burger Debuts

A&W Has Just Released a New 3/9 Lb. Burger

A&W is cleverly making up for a decades-old marketing fail with the release of its new 3/9 lb. Burger.

Back in the 1980s, A&W released a hefty 1/3 Pound Burger that was designed to compete with McDonald's iconic Quarter Pounder. While A&W's burger was bigger and juicer than McDonald's Quarter Pounder, consumers wrongly assumed A&W's burger was the smaller of the two. As a result, the campaign went down in history as a major failure.

Now, the brand is turning that failure on its head by releasing a burger that tells fans exactly what it's all about. A&W's new 3/9 lb. Burger is a clever rebranding of the original 1/3 Pound Burger. The new version features two 100% US Beef patties, two slices of American cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, and mayo, all served on a lightly toasted bun.

The new 3/9 lb. Burger is now available at all participating A&W locations across the U.S. for a limited time,

Image Credit: A&W

Bigger Burger Trend
There is an opportunity for restaurants to offer larger burgers and compete with iconic brands, like McDonald's, by highlighting the size of their burgers.
Rebranding Strategy Trend
Restaurants can rebrand and promote menu items that were unsuccessful in the past to generate new interest and customers.
Limited Time Menu Item Trend
Offering limited-time menu items can create a sense of urgency and encourage customers to try new items they might not have otherwise.

Who This Affects Most

Fast Food Industry
Fast food chains like A&W can capitalize on the popularity of burger chains and compete by offering unique and innovative menu items to attract customers.
Restaurant Industry
Restaurants can learn from the rebranding strategy of A&W and market their previously unsuccessful menu items to create new interest and customers.
Limited-time Menu Industry
The limited-time menu industry is an opportunity for restaurants to create seasonal menus items, special promotions, and exclusive menu items to increase sales.
SCORE
5.6 out of 10
GENDER
50% Men50% Women
MARKETTop markets: North America
GENERATION
  • Gen Z
  • Gen Alpha
  • Millennial (primary audience)
  • Gen X (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 66%
Activity 92%
Freshness 11%