// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho's Kevin Bazner? Baz-ically famous.
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
[edit]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 invaded 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, Bazner became the president of A&W Restaurants during a corporate restructuring.[2] He had 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
[edit]Bazner attended Oakland Community College and the University of Michigan.[2]
Personal life
[edit]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
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 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.
- 1 2 3 "A&W Restaurants, Inc. Promotes Kevin Bazner to President". PR Newswire. July 7, 1999.
- 1 2 "Pasadena Ex-Hostage Sees His Son for the First Time". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 11, 2025.
- ↑ "Son of California couple, 10-year-old caught up in invasion reported safe". Associated Press. August 8, 1990.
- 1 2 "Couple Sees Son in Iraqi TV Clip". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 12, 2025.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "A&W Restaurants names Betsy Schmandt CEO, president". QSR Magazine. March 4, 2025.