'Housewarming Party" At Superior, Wisc., A&w® Restaurant Celebrates Winner Of $200,000 Getaway Home From A&w® Root Beer

Denise Johnson Chosen by America as Grand Prize Winner in A&W® Root Beer's National "Create Your Moment, Win a Home" Contest

SUPERIOR, WI (Wednesday, October 27, 2004) - The results are in, and Wisconsin mother Denise Johnson, is America's choice as the grand prize winner of the national A&W® Root Beer "Create Your Moment, Win A Home Contest." As the winner, she and her family will soon be enjoying their selected getaway home, valued at $200,000!

Johnson's hometown A&W® Restaurant -- where she first learned about the contest -- hosted a "housewarming party" for the winner, her family, friends and local officials. The surprise party was held at the Superior A&W® location on Tuesday evening, Oct. 26.

This summer, A&W® Root Beer asked Americans to describe a moment they would like to share in a getaway home with family and friends. Entries were judged on originality, appeal and involvement of family and friends. After reviewing nearly 28,000 entries, Johnson's "Catching Fireflies" entry was selected as one of ten finalists. Each finalist received a digital video camera to capture his/her proposed moment. During September, each video moment was posted on www.rootbeer.com, and America selected the grand prize winner by voting for their favorite moment. In the upcoming months, Johnson will work with a local realtor to select her new getaway home (valued at up to $200,000). She also will receive a lifetime supply of A&W® Root Beer and a $500 "A&W® Root Beer Celebration-in-a-Box" packed with items to help her family and friends share even more classic moments together including a DVD/CD player, favorite family board games, sports equipment and a camera.

"I am so excited that I have been chosen as the winner of a brand new getaway home," said Johnson. "This contest has been an experience of a lifetime, and the support from our family, friends and community has been overwhelming. We honestly can say that our prayers were answered." Johnson, a part-time postal worker and lifetime resident of Superior, Wis., enjoys camping, fishing and spending quality time with her husband and five children ages six years to 22. Since her family enjoys spending time outdoors together, she would prefer her new getaway home be near the water.

Johnson first learned about the contest while having dinner with her family at the Superior A&W® Restaurant, which is operated by franchisee Avis Rink. She immediately wrote a poem about the night her husband of 13 years proposed to her and submitted it online. Once she was named a finalist, she went straight to work, campaigning in her community for votes. From creating fliers and t-shirts, holding float parties at local schools, sending letters to government officials and conducting numerous media appearances, Denise soon became a hometown celebrity and known as "the root beer lady."

"Many Americans dream of a second home where they can get away from everyday stress and make meaningful memories with friends and family," said Jaxie Alt, brand manager for A&W® Root Beer. "That is why we were thrilled to give Denise a chance to make her dreams a reality. We know that she and her family will enjoy many happy memories in their new home."

A&W® Root Beer is a leading brand in the beverage portfolio of Plano, Texas-based Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages (CSAB), a subsidiary division of Cadbury Schweppes plc (NYSE:CSG). CSAB is one of the largest producers of soft drinks and premium beverages in the Americas. CSAB's brand portfolio includes Dr Pepper, 7 UP, Snapple, Mott's Apple Juice, RC Cola, A&W® Root Beer, Sunkist Soda, Canada Dry, Hawaiian Punch, Schweppes, Diet Rite, Slush Puppie frozen drinks, Clamato, Mr & Mrs Ts Mixers, Holland House Mixers, Rose's, Mistic, Yoo-hoo, Orangina, IBC, Stewart's, Nantucket Nectars and other well-known consumer brands. For additional information on Cadbury Schweppes and its products, visit www.cadburyschweppes.com.

A&W® Restaurants, Inc., based in Louisville, Ky., is the longest running quick service franchise chain in America. Since 1919, A&W® All-American Food has been serving a signature frosty mug root beer float and All-American pure-beef hamburgers and hot dogs. There are nearly 700 A&W® All American Food® outlets in 15 countries and territories around the world, and more than 545 additional points of distribution at Yum! Brands multibrand restaurants. The company's web site is www.awrestaurants.com. A&W® Restaurants is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., Louisville, Ky.

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