Fans of the iconic A&W PJ Drive-In fast food restaurant in Taman Jaya have nothing to worry about – sort of – as the owners of the franchise have assured the outlet won’t be going away forever, despite yesterday’s saddening news of it shutting down this December.
KUB Malaysia Sdn Bhd, which owns the A&W Malaysia franchise, clarified to The Rakyat Post that it would not be closing down the 24-hour drive-in, the oldest in Malaysia, but would instead be taking three years to redevelop the site into an office block called KUB Tower – with the A&W still making up a part of the new design.
“We are not closing down the A&W PJ Drive Thru for good.
“It is going to be revamped and will only be shut for the next three years to facilitate the construction of the KUB Tower project,” said a company spokesperson, who declined to be named.
The spokesperson said that although the outlet would undergo a major redesign, the PJ landmark’s iconic features and core concept would be incorporated into its new look.
“The 24-hour drive-in concept will be maintained under the revamp to give customers the same feel they experience in the current restaurant.”
The spokesperson added that although KUB had shuttered several A&W outlets as part of its business plan to achieve sustainable growth for the brand, the company plans to open new restaurants at strategic new locations in the near future.
“We intend to open new restaurants soon as we have identified suitable locations.”
We’re not sure exactly hw much of the original PJ Drive-In will be left at the location once it’s been integrated into the KUB Tower project, but the news should come as (partial) relief to people lobbying to save the A&W outlet in PJ from being torn down in the name of redevelopment and profit. Also, it would be pretty neat if the new and improved A&W Malaysia takes a page from its rejuvenated American counterpart – the new additions to the menu alone could be something worth salivating over.
