VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 22, 2026 /CNW/ -- A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. (TSX: AW) ("A&W") is pleased to announce the promotion of Catherine Anderson to the position of Chief Strategic Growth Officer effective November 2, 2026. Ms. Anderson moves up to the post from her previous role as Vice President, Development.

In her new executive role, Ms. Anderson will oversee A&W's nationwide restaurant expansion strategy. Her portfolio will be central to executing A&W's newly announced Corporate Strategy, with direct strategic accountabilities including accelerating New Restaurant Openings (NROs), and evaluating complementary brand expansion opportunities to drive long-term successful system growth.

"Catherine is an exceptional leader," said Susan Senecal, President and Chief Executive Officer of A&W. "Her track record of building collaborative franchisee relationships and navigating complex development environments will be invaluable as we execute our strategic growth initiatives. I am very pleased to welcome Catherine to the executive team in this expanded capacity."

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements in this news release contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws in Canada. The words "anticipates", "believes", "budgets", "could", "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "intends", "may", "might", "plans", "projects", "schedule", "should", "will", "would", "outlook" and similar expressions are often intended to identify forward-looking information, although not all forward-looking information contains these identifying words.

The forward-looking information in this news release includes but is not limited to: Food Services' new Corporate Strategy, including its strategic directions and the desired outcomes of the Corporate Strategy; Food Services' plan to grow market share and enhance success for A&W franchisees; Food Services' plans to develop new restaurant formats and business models; Food Services' plan to grow the Pret brand to more than 60 locations in Canada by fiscal 2031 and to evaluate other complementary brands that offer growth opportunities; Food Services' intention to report on the execution of its Corporate Strategy; and Food Services' 2026 outlook.

The forward-looking information, including the 2026 outlook, is based on assumptions that management considered reasonable at the time it was prepared. The forward-looking information in this news release is subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors including, among others, the risks identified in Food Services' Q3 2026 MD&A and Food Services' annual information form for the period ended December 28, 2025 ("AIF") under the heading "Risk Factors". The Q3 2026 MD&A and AIF are both available on Food Services' SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to Food Services or that are currently not considered to be material also may impair Food Services' business.

All forward-looking information in this news release is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement and, except as required by law, Food Services undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking information as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date hereof.

INVESTOR COMMUNICATIONS

For important updates and information regarding A&W, including the timing of future earnings calls, visit A&W's investor relations website at www.awinvestors.ca. A&W uses this website as a primary channel for disclosing key information to its investors.

ABOUT FOOD SERVICES

A&W is a publicly traded company and is the second largest quick-service hamburger restaurant chain in Canada. Operating coast-to-coast, A&W restaurants feature famous trade-marked menu items such as The Burger Family(R), Chubby Chicken(R) and A&W Root Beer(R). A&W's shares are listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada under the trading symbol "AW".

www.awinvestors.ca

SOURCE A&W Food Services of Canada Inc.

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