Kevin Bazner

Kevin Bazner (born 1955) is an American businessman, working in the restaurant sector since 1970. Since 1985, he has worked at A&W Restaurants, first by assisting in its international operations, then acting as CEO from 1999 to 2025.

Biography

Bazner was born in 1955.[1]

In 1970, he started working at a kitchen restaurant. Over time, he became the director of Canadian operations of Magic Pan Restaurants. He was appointed president of the international branch of A&W Restaurants in 1985;[2] by 1990, he was living in Kuala Lumpur,[1] capital of Malaysia, where A&W has a strong presence.[3]

On August 2, 1990, after being in the United States with his family for a month, he was held hostage in Kuwait on the day Iraq invited the country. He was aboard a plane bound for Malaysia which was refueling.[1] He was taken to the Rashid Hotel in Baghdad during this period.[4] He appeared in footage taken by Iraqi television at the end of the month.[5] He was released in December.[3]

In July 1999, Kevin Bazner became the president of A&W Restaurants, during a corporate restructuring.[2] He was also a key role in the acquisition of the chain by A Great American Brand, LLC, alongside franchises in Asia and Dale Mulder, which took over A&W at the end of 2011.[6]

On March 4, 2025, Bazner changed his role at A&W by becoming a chairman, when Betsy Schmandt took over as CEO.[7]

Education

Bazner attended both Oakland Community College and the University of Michigan.[2]

Personal life

Bazner married Dawn, a British woman, and had two children, Elizabeth and David.[1] While held hostage in Iraq, his son David had a hernial condition.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Families of Hostages Wait and Worry : Mideast crisis: Like an increasing number of Americans, a La Canada family has become the victim of a world torn asunder by violence and terrorism.
  2. ^ a b c A&W Restaurants, Inc. Promotes Kevin Bazner to President. (1999, Jul 07). PR Newswire
  3. ^ a b Pasadena Ex-Hostage Sees His Son for the First Time : Reunions: The 19-week ordeal also ends for Kevin Bazner, who is welcomed in Palm Springs.
  4. ^ The, A. P. (1990, Aug 08). Son of California couple, 10-year-old caught up in invasion reported safe: [EVENING edition].
  5. ^ a b Couple Sees Son in Iraqi TV Clip
  6. ^ "It's Final! Franchisees Buy Out Franchisor A&W". Blue Maumau. 23 December 2011. Archived from the original on 22 April 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  7. ^ "A&W Restaurants names Betsy Schmandt CEO, president". QSR Magazine. March 4, 2025.
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