A&W Restaurants Chairman, Kevin Bazner, Joins Midway University Board of Trustees
The 50-year veteran of the restaurant industry, brings decades of global business leadership to the board
Midway, KY (10/05/2026) — Midway University today announced that Kevin Bazner, Chairman and CEO of A&W Restaurants, Inc., has joined the university's Board of Trustees.
Bazner is a 50-plus-year veteran of the restaurant industry and has spent 29 years with A&W Restaurants. In 1988, he took over the company's International Division, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He served as Managing Director of A&W International until 2000, when he was named President and COO, a role he held until Yum! Brands acquired the company in 2003.
Following the acquisition, Bazner remained active in the franchising industry as a consultant and investor, and later served as President and COO of Smoothie King Corp. He returned to A&W as President and CEO in October 2011, when the brand was purchased from Yum! Brands by a partnership of international and domestic A&W franchise partners. In 2024, he became Chairman.
"Kevin has spent his career finding new ways to grow and reinvent an iconic brand, from expanding it internationally to leading the partnership that brought it back under independent ownership," said Donna Campbell '62, Chair of the Midway University Board of Trustees. "That kind of innovative, entrepreneurial thinking is exactly what we want our students exposed to in the classroom. We are honored to welcome him to the board."
Bazner's appointment comes as Midway University continues to grow the James C. Bowling School of Business and expand its degree programs in accounting, finance, business, and entrepreneurship.
"Midway University is doing important work preparing the next generation of business leaders for the careers of the future," Bazner said. "Building a business, whether it's a global brand or a new venture, takes sound business acumen, adaptability, and a willingness to take smart risks. I look forward to serving on the Midway board as the university continues to grow."
Midway University welcomes Bazner's appointment as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthen board leadership with individuals who bring diverse professional expertise and a deep connection to the Central Kentucky community.
Midway University is a private, coeducational university with a working horse farm located in Midway, Kentucky. Chartered in 1847, Midway serves nearly 2,100 students in traditional semester undergraduate programs, accelerated format evening and online undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as dual credit programs. Midway University is known for offering affordable, career-focused majors such as education, business, nursing, equine studies, exercise science, sport management, psychology, criminal justice, and computer science.
More information is available online at www.midway.edu or www.gomidwayeagles.com.
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A&W Restaurants Chairman, Kevin Bazner, at Midway University.