In 1930, the then 40-year-old Sanders was operating a service station in Corbin, Kentucky, and it was there that he began cooking for hungry travelers who stopped in for gas. He didn`t have a restaurant yet, so patrons ate from his own dining table in the station`s humble living quarters. It was then that he invented what`s called "home meal replacement" - selling complete meals to busy, time-strapped families. He called it, "Sunday Dinner, Seven Days a Week."

As Sanders` fame grew, Governor Ruby Laffoon made him a Kentucky Colonel in 1935 in recognition of his contributions to the state`s cuisine. Within four years, his establishment was listed in Duncan Hines` "Adventures in Good Eating."

As more people started coming strictly for the food, he moved across the street to increase his capacity. Over the next decade, he perfected his secret blend of 11 herbs and spices and the basic cooking technique that is still used today.  

 One hot day in June of 1919 in Lodi, California an entrepreneur named Roy Allen mixed up a batch of creamy root beer and sold the first frosty mug of this delightful beverage for one nickel. Now, more than seventy years later, A&W Root Beer® is the world`s number one selling root beer and is still mixed fresh daily and sold at hundreds of A&W® restaurants.

Allen purchased the formula for his root beer from a pharmacist in Arizona. To this day, the unique blend of herbs, spices, barks and berries remains a proprietary secret.

With the success of his first root beer stand in Lodi, Allen soon opened a second stand in nearby Sacramento. It was there that what is thought to be the country`s first "drive-in" featuring "tray-boys" for curb side service, opened up.

In 1922 Allen took on a partner, Frank Wright, an employee from his original Lodi location. The two partners combined their initials - "A" for Allen and "W" for Wright and formally named the beverage, A&W Root Beer®.

And so the tradition carries on today in Lombard, Wheaton and Chicago at Western & Devon Ave.  Stop by for lunch, diner or just for a snack.  We are always happy to see you.  Sign up below for special offers only available from DuPage.SuddenValues.com.  Click here for Nutritional Information

Now, these two great restuarants may have started on opposite sides of the country, but you don`t have to travel that far to get either. Stop by the KFC of Wheaton and KFC of Chicago or the KFC & A&W of Lombard.