A&W introduces Fairtrade coffee across Canada. The wholly owned Canadian QSR (quick serve restaurant) is now serving its customers Fairtrade, organic coffee across Canada.
A&W has extended its quality ingredient guarantee to coffee by committing to Fairtrade certification, which supports the livelihoods of coffee farmers and workers in the Global South.
A&W has partnered with Van Houtte – Master Roaster since 1919 – to develop and supply an exclusive blend of 100% Arabica, organic, Fairtrade coffee. A&W is the second largest fast food burger restaurant chain in Canada with over 800 locations.
They became the first national QSR to introduce beef raised without the use of hormones or steroids, chicken raised without the use of antibiotics, and eggs from hens fed a vegetarian diet without animal by-products.
“We began our Ingredients Guarantee journey in 2013 with the launch of beef raised without the use of hormones or steroids. Customer feedback was so extraordinary, with sales up by more than 10%, we were inspired to make other significant changes to our ingredients,” says Susan Senecal, Chief Marketing Officer at A&W.
“Coffee became a priority for us when our customers kept telling us how much they loved our new eggs, but wanted a better cup of coffee. Through extensive taste and quality testing, it became clear that organic Fairtrade coffee was a winner among our customers, so we partnered with Van Houtte to provide it.”
“Fairtrade Canada is so proud to be part of the new emerging socially conscious program that A&W Canada is developing. We congratulate them on this bold and significant vision for the future” says Lisa Zentner, Director of Marketing & Communications.
