🕷️ Crawler Inspector

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Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 152 (from laksa016)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa152.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear","crawl_time":1773941376,"first_indexed_time":1439364928,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"org,wikipedia!en,\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear s443","src_root_hash":"17790707453426894952","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"The Great Root Bear - Wikipedia","meta_descriptions":[],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia\nRooty the Great Root Bear\nA&W Restaurants\ncharacter\nRooty in his American version, in a statue photographed at the\nIowa County, Wisconsin\nlocation in 2016\nFirst appearance\n1973\n; 53 years ago\nIn-universe information\nSpecies\nBrown bear\nGender\nMale\nOccupation\nBear mascot for the\nA&W Restaurants\nfast food\nchain\nRooty in his Canadian version\nThe Great Root Bear\n, known since at least early 2012 as\nRooty\nand in\nQuebec\nas\nGrand Ours A&W\n,\n[\n1\n]\nis an\nanthropomorphic\nbrown bear\nused as the\nmascot\n(or \"spokesbear\"\n[\n2\n]\n) of\nA&W Restaurants\nin the\nUnited States\n,\nCanada\n, and in parts of\nAsia\n.\nCanadian operations\nuse a region-specific version of the character. The mascot was introduced in 1973.\n[\n3\n]\nIn the United States, the mascot went out of use in the 2000s, but saw a resurgence after 2011.\nRooty's appearance is nearly identical across the two branches. He is a 7-foot bipedal brown bear with a tan snout, orange hat and orange pullover sweater bearing the A&W logo.\n[\n4\n]\n[\n5\n]\nThe Canadian version has a modified face and a brown snout. Some have compared his appearance to\nYogi Bear\n.\n[\n6\n]\nCreation and early development\n[\nedit\n]\nAlthough often misattributed to Canada, the mascot concept originated in the United States. Until the early 1970s, the A&W's primary mascot in the United States and Canada was the Burger Family.\n[\ncitation needed\n]\nA prototype of what later became The Great Root Bear appeared in kids' meal bags at the American chain in the early 1970s, similar to the later design. Bears were already popular then, with examples including\nBaloo\nfrom\nDisney's\nthen-recent adaptation of\nThe Jungle Book\n, Disney's acquisition of the licensing rights to\nWinnie-the-Pooh\nand the success of the\nHanna-Barbera\ncharacter\nYogi Bear\n. In 1971, an A&W franchise in\nOshkosh, Wisconsin\n, used a completely different costume for a character tentatively named \"Root Bear\"; in late April that year, the character awoke from hibernation and washed customers' car windows. Another proposed influence was Rooti, a panda-like bear for\nCanada Dry\n's root beer in the 1960s.\n[\ncitation needed\n]\nBy the early 1970s, A&W was losing ground to\nMcDonald's\nand\nKFC\nin both the United States and Canada. The Canadian operations were sold to\nUnilever\nin an attempt to keep the chain afloat.\n[\n7\n]\nIn 1972, A&W's newly independent Canadian branch appointed Ron Woodall to develop a television commercial and a new mascot. The goal was to create a campaign that did not show food or specific eating habits. If the campaign failed, Unilever would sell the chain.\n[\ncitation needed\n]\nWoodall sketched concepts and went to\nSmuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park\n, north of\nVancouver\n, to film the first commercial and pitch the new mascot.\n[\ncitation needed\n]\nThis approach frustrated some A&W staff, as it did not depict restaurant operations, which Woodall preferred to avoid. A\nfocus group\nwas set up in\nToronto\nto gather public opinions, and the results of the earlier test in Vancouver were discarded. A prototype of the first commercial was shown to a test audience and performed well enough for Unilever to proceed. With a limited budget, a commercial was shot in\nAlberta\n. Edmonton was initially considered, but rapid development led to rejecting it as a location, and nearby rural areas experienced heavy traffic. Pincher Creek was ultimately selected. For the shoot, hotels were booked past their seasonal closing; the bear was performed by a ballerina (Katherine); and characters resembling the\nMarx Brothers\n,\nHulk Hogan\n, and\nEvel Knievel\nappeared, following the bear.\n[\n8\n]\nInternational adoption\n[\nedit\n]\nStatue of The Great Root Bear photographed at the\nWittenberg, Wisconsin\nlocation in 1988\nBefore long, The Great Root Bear was adopted by the American A&W chain, and its restaurants in Asia.\n[\n9\n]\n[\n10\n]\n[\n11\n]\nIn the United States, the previous A&W mascots, the Burger Family, were phased out beginning in 1973.\n[\n12\n]\nAlthough, according to A&W, Rooty was \"born\" on June 19, 1974, earlier press materials given to franchisees claim that he was \"born\" in September 1973.\n[\n13\n]\nThe costume, with an animated-style appearance, was designed by the same company that made costumes for\nDisneyland\n.\n[\n14\n]\nThe design cost $25,000 (equivalent to $163,208.5 in 2025).\n[\n15\n]\nThe Great Root Bear soon began making public appearances, including television performances, visits to hospitals and schools, and events at the chain's restaurants, especially starting in the summer season of 1974.\n[\n16\n]\n[\n17\n]\n[\n18\n]\nHe also took part in activities related to the\nEasterseals\nTelethon in 1976 and 1977.\n[\n19\n]\nRestaurants handed out Great Root Bear-branded Hocus-Pocus Magic Kits during the campaign.\n[\n20\n]\nBy 1976, the mascot had become successful, and merchandise such as straws featuring the bear was available.\n[\n21\n]\n[\n22\n]\nA hand puppet of the bear was introduced in during the 1977 Christmas season.\n[\n23\n]\nIn 1978, the company's newsletter, the\nA&W News Dispenser\n, was renamed\nA&W News Bearer\n.\n[\n24\n]\nAt birthday parties hosted at its restaurants, balloons were called \"bearloons\" and straws \"bearstraws\".\n[\n25\n]\nBeginning in 1975, A&W printed coupons known as \"The Great Root Bear Buck\" (now \"Bear Bucks\"), modeled after U.S. dollar notes with Rooty's face in the center.\n[\n26\n]\nUntil 2012, the mascot had no official given name. In its first year of usage in the United States, a franchisee in\nWalla Walla\nnamed him \"Rudy\" in a newspaper advertisement for take-home gallons of root beer, a name similar to the current Rooty..\n[\n27\n]\nThe bear also lent his name to a playground at restaurants in Malaysia starting in 1990, Bearland.\n[\n28\n]\nBy early 2004, the Bearland playground had lost most of its attractions.\n[\n29\n]\nThe Great Root Bear, with a distinct design, continued to appear in television commercials for the separate Canadian chain. The Canadian chain registered its own trademark for the mascot in 1978, and on September 11, 1995, for his French name, Grand Ours A&W.\n[\n30\n]\n[\n31\n]\nThe bear and the tuba jingle that accompanied him became a long-running campaign, created by Griffiths-Gibson of\nVancouver\n(the tune, entitled \"Ba-Dum, Ba-Dum\", was released as a single in April 1977 by\nAttic Records\n, credited to \"Major Ursus,\" a play on\nUrsa Major\n, or \"great bear\").\n[\n32\n]\n[\n33\n]\nComposer and B.C. Hall of Fame inductee Miles Ramsay helped compose the song.\n[\n34\n]\nThe jingle was performed by Vancouver jazz, classical, and session trombonist Sharman King and was often accompanied by the slogan \"Follow the Great Root Bear to A&W\".\n[\n7\n]\nDuring 1997 and 1998,\nDrew Carey\nserved as a spokesperson for the chain, appearing in TV ads alongside the bear; he was dismissed (with legal action ensuing) after a November 1998\nepisode\nof\nThe Drew Carey Show\nfeatured Carey eating at a McDonald's location in\nChina\n.\n[\n35\n]\nFollowing the reintroduction of The Burger Family, the bear was phased out from advertising. Only in 2025 did A&W Canada started calling him officially as Rooty, in line with his 50th anniversary. A special birthday party was held at locations in Toronto and Calgary on October 18.\n[\n36\n]\nDecline and rebound\n[\nedit\n]\nIn 2000, A&W donated 30 teddy bear versions of its mascot to the Bears on Patrol children's safety program in\nOakland County, Michigan\n.\n[\n37\n]\nIn 2009, as the bear was being downplayed nationally, the\nLodi\nrestaurant (owned by Peter Knight) registered the @awrestaurants\nTwitter\nusername, which the national chain adopted within a couple of years. Some posts in spring 2009 were written in the bear's voice (then unnamed). The mascot also appeared at the opening of a new restaurant in\nGarden City, Kansas\n, in early 2009.\n[\n38\n]\nA statue of Rooty holding a mug of root beer while sitting on a barrel\nA new administration took over A&W in the United States in 2011. Liz Bazner described it as \"criminal\" that the chain was not using the mascot and put him in charge of the Twitter account.\n[\n39\n]\nA bronze statue of the bear holding a mug was erected in the lobby of the new headquarters in Lexington.\n[\n40\n]\nIn March 2012, A&W released a video showing the bear working at the building during construction, with comedic mishaps. Around this time, the name Rooty appeared and became official. In June 2012 (the de facto 93rd anniversary of A&W), Lexington media house uHAPS Media produced a faux news item depicting Rooty emerging from hibernation.\nThe earliest known use of Rooty as the mascot's name, previously just the Great Root Bear, was a Facebook post on January 30, 2012, in which A&W jokingly signed him up for\nSkype\n.\nThe resurgence formed part of a broader relaunch under the new owners.\n[\n41\n]\nLiz Bazner, who was in charge of the tweets,\n[\n42\n]\ncreated a running joke that Rooty had been \"hibernating\" before 2012. In January 2013, A&W launched a new website following a new creative marketing agreement with Cornett Integrated Marketing. Executives worked with franchisees in Asia, where the mascot remained prominent, to incorporate him into birthday parties at U.S. restaurants. Rooty also received a\nVine\naccount and a\nsmartphone app\n, \"Burping Rooty\". A&W's website featured a \"bear cam\" that \"streamed\" Rooty's daily activities.\n[\n43\n]\nRooty also featured in the first product release on\nVine\n.\n[\n44\n]\nIn 2013-2014, four episodes of a fictional\nreality series\ninvolving Rooty,\nThe Bear is Back\n, were released on A&W's YouTube channel, filmed at the company's headquarters.\n[\ncitation needed\n]\nA\nCGI\nversion of Rooty was created in 2022 with the aim of being easily rigged for animation and motion capture.\n[\ncitation needed\n]\nPersonality and role at A&W\n[\nedit\n]\nFrom the outset, Rooty was intended to be A&W's \"ambassador of fun\"\n[\n24\n]\nor \"goodwill ambassador\".\n[\n9\n]\nThe chain suggests that Rooty embodies \"fun and nostalgia\" associated with the brand.\n[\n39\n]\nHe is described as \"funny\" and \"goofy\", and was seen as \"not polarizing, but lovable\".\n[\ncitation needed\n]\nIn 1992, a franchisee owner described Rooty as \"very fuzzy, very friendly and plump\".\n[\n45\n]\nTwo books published in 1990 described Rooty as \"a fun-loving adventurer\" and \"a friend to children everywhere\".\n[\n46\n]\n[\n47\n]\nWhether Rooty has a family is unclear. At the entrance of the former A&W restaurant in\nPetaling Jaya\n, an illustration of Rooty (seen with a pentagonal hat, akin to the design used by the costume in\nMalaysia\n) appears with his supposed wife and two cubs.\n[\n48\n]\nA 1987 print advertisement for the American branch's lunch boxes in that year's back-to-school season depicted Rooty and his wife behind a cub.\n[\n49\n]\n2013 LinkedIn scandal\n[\nedit\n]\nIn February 2013, Rooty became the first mascot to have a\nLinkedIn\nprofile.\n[\n50\n]\nHowever, LinkedIn removed the profile after about a week on the grounds that the Rooty is not real.\n[\n51\n]\nA&W protested the decision.\n[\ncitation needed\n]\nRooty pants incident\n[\nedit\n]\nIn response to public debate over the sexiness of its Green M&M character,\nM&M's\nannounced in a January 23, 2023 social media post that it would \"indefinitely pause\" the use of its \"spokescandies\" characters. The next day, A&W issued a similarly formatted post.\n[\n52\n]\nAmerica, let's talk. Since 1963, Rooty the Great Root Bear has been our beloved spokesbear. We knew people would notice because he's literally a 6-foot tall bear wearing an orange sweater. But now we get it — even a mascot's lack of pants can be polarizing. Therefore, we have decided that Rooty will wear jeans going forward.\n— A&W, January 24, 2023\n[\n53\n]\nThough intended as a parody of the\nM&M's\npost, A&W's intent was not immediately clear and some believed the pants change to be true. Segments on\nFox News\nand\nFox Business\npresented it as real news, with one host exclaiming \"the woke police cancel culture has gone ridiculous!\"\n[\n54\n]\nA&W clarified that the post was a joke and that no changes were planned for Rooty's outfit.\n[\n55\n]\n[\n56\n]\nList of American advertising characters\nThe Burger Family\n^\n\"A&W célèbre l'ouverture de son 100e restaurant au Québec\"\n. Newswire Canada. 3 December 2013.\nArchived\nfrom the original on 1 September 2016\n. Retrieved\n23 June\n2024\n.\n^\n\"A&W spokes-bear Rooty discusses his approach to social media\"\n. Nation's Restaurant News. April 15, 2013.\nArchived\nfrom the original on April 21, 2013\n. Retrieved\nDecember 6,\n2023\n.\n^\n\"A&W @ 100: Fun Facts and a Little History\"\n(PDF)\n. A&W Restaurants. 1 February 2020. Archived from\nthe original\n(PDF)\non 19 November 2022\n. Retrieved\n10 March\n2024\n.\n^\nFarrow, R. (2013, Mar 15). Lodi celebrates lady sadie. McClatchy - Tribune Business News\n^\n\"The A & W Root Beer Bears\"\n. Collectors' Journal. April 2020.\nArchived\nfrom the original on April 13, 2020\n. Retrieved\nNovember 17,\n2023\n.\n^\nEncyclopedia of Consumer Brands: Consumable products\n. St. James Press. 1994.\nISBN\n \n978-1-55862-336-1\n. Retrieved\n15 July\n2024\n.\n^\na\nb\nBarker, J. (1999, Jun 12). Canadian TV ads second to none: They might not have made a top 100 list, but ours are every bit as memorable -- and effective. jeremy barker reports.: [final edition]. The Ottawa Citizen\n^\nO'Reilly, Terry (January 18, 2018).\n\"How The A&W Root Bear Died Then Came Back to Life\"\n.\nUnder the Influence\n. CBC Radio One. Pirate Radio\n. Retrieved\nJanuary 20,\n2018\n.\n^\na\nb\n\"Page 9 Advertisements Column 1\"\n.\nThe Straits Times\n. 13 November 1974\n. Retrieved\n4 December\n2023\n.\n^\n\"Page 9 Advertisements Column 2\"\n.\nThe Straits Times\n. 11 September 1976\n. Retrieved\n4 December\n2023\n.\n^\n\"Page 7 Advertisements Column 3\"\n.\nThe Straits Times\n. 9 February 1978\n. Retrieved\n4 December\n2023\n.\n^\nSpector, Joseph (September 7, 2019).\n\"Papa Burger gets a permanent home in New York, and he looks amazing\"\n.\nDemocrat and Chronicle\n. p. A11.\n^\nEugene Register-Guard\n. Eugene Register-Guard.\n^\nRoot Bear Coming to Town\n, The Kingston Daily Freeman, 18 September 1974, page 13.\n^\nA&W to feature Great Root Bear\n, Kenosha News, 12 May 1975, page 21.\n^\nMadison Wisconsin State Journal, 11 July 1976, page 82.\n^\nA&W's Great Root Bear To Visit In Rock Falls\n, Sterling Daily Gazette, 5 June 1978, page 7.\n^\n\"A&W Great Root Bear to Visit Hanford\"\n. The Hanfort Sentinel (1977) via Newspapers.com. 17 December 1977. p. 12.\nArchived\nfrom the original on January 24, 2024\n. Retrieved\nJanuary 24,\n2024\n.\n^\nA&W Root Bear in Seal Appeal\n, The Vallejo Times Herald, 20 March 1976, page 5.\n^\nA&W Joins Campaign\n, The Colorado Springs Gazette, 14 March 1976, page 135.\n^\nThe Colorado Springs Gazette, 14 March 1976, page 135.\n^\n\"Radio & Records\"\n(PDF)\n.\nWorld Radio History\n. 25 June 1976. p. 6. Archived from\nthe original\n(PDF)\non 22 September 2022\n. Retrieved\n18 July\n2024\n.\n^\nEureka Times Standard, 18 December 1977, page 20.\n^\na\nb\nA Great American Brand - 90 Years of A&W, by Christa Bourg, 2009.\n^\n\"Page 10 Advertisements Column 1\"\n.\nThe Straits Times\n. 28 June 1980\n. Retrieved\n4 December\n2023\n.\n^\nThe Salt Lake Tribune, 14 September 1975, page 6E.\n^\nWalla Walla Union-Bulletin, 9 August 1974, page 8.\n^\nFun and games at Bearland\n. New Straits Times.\n^\n\"We Deyyy\"\n. Glaring Notebook. 28 February 2004.\nArchived\nfrom the original on 14 September 2016\n. Retrieved\n16 July\n2024\n.\n^\nCanadian Trade-Mark Data - A & W\n^\nCanadian Trade-Mark Data - A & W\n^\n\"Broadcast Dialogue\"\n(PDF)\n.\nWorld Radio History\n. April 2008. p. 28. Archived from\nthe original\n(PDF)\non 9 March 2021\n. Retrieved\n18 July\n2024\n.\n^\nBillboard\n. 16 April 1977.\n^\n\"Miles Ramsay\"\n. B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame. 2010.\nArchived\nfrom the original on 18 July 2024\n. Retrieved\n18 July\n2024\n.\n^\nRyan, Joal (January 13, 1999).\n\"Drew Carey's Ill-Timed Big Mac Attack\"\n.\nEOnline.com\n. Retrieved\nJanuary 13,\n2013\n.\nNote that this source\nincorrectly\nArchived\n2014-03-12 at the\nWayback Machine\nimplies that Carey was a spokesperson for the independently-owned American A&W chain.\n^\nA&W's Mascot Rooty is Turning 50\n^\n\"\n\"Great Root Bears\" Calm Children\"\n.\nQSR Magazine\n. March 28, 2000\n. Retrieved\n30 October\n2024\n.\n^\nNew eateries aplenty in Garden City\n, The Garden City Telegram, 24 January 2009, page D8.\n^\na\nb\n\"A&W Franchise Marketing Made Easy - A&W Franchise\"\n. awfranchising.com.\nArchived\nfrom the original on December 4, 2023\n. Retrieved\nDecember 4,\n2023\n.\n^\n\"Lexington's loyal to its homegrown fast-food chains\"\n. Lexington Herald-Leader. 17 September 2012.\nArchived\nfrom the original on 28 April 2018\n. Retrieved\n4 December\n2023\n.\n^\n\"A&W's mascot resurgence part of chain's bid to 'start fresh'\n\"\n. QSRweb. April 5, 2013.\nArchived\nfrom the original on December 4, 2023\n. Retrieved\nDecember 4,\n2023\n.\n^\n\"NRN to host Tweet chat on social media strategies\"\n. Nation's Restaurant News. April 12, 2013.\nArchived\nfrom the original on April 14, 2013\n. Retrieved\nDecember 6,\n2023\n.\n^\n\"A&W brings back its official spokesbear, Rooty\"\n. Lexington Herald-Leader. 14 April 2013.\nArchived\nfrom the original on 26 January 2016\n. Retrieved\n4 December\n2023\n.\n^\nCorr, Amy (April 29, 2013).\n\"A&W Restaurant's Social Media Moves: Locked Out Of LinkedIn, Rebounds With Vine\"\n.\nMediaPost Publications\n. Retrieved\nJune 17,\n2014\n.\n^\nWhat do you say to a yogurt cup?\n, Arlington Heights Daily Herald, 19 March 1992, p. 12\/1A\n^\nJacquelyn Perren,\nA Day at the Zoo\n, 1990\n^\nJacquelyn Perren,\nA Sea Voyage\n, 1990\n^\n\"Amburgers & Wootbeer\"\n. Glaring Notebook. 10 August 2014.\nArchived\nfrom the original on 11 February 2015\n. Retrieved\n6 December\n2023\n.\n^\nDelphos Herald, 12 August 1987, p. 2\n^\n\"Lexington's loyal to its homegrown fast-food chains\"\n. MediaPost Publications. 11 February 2013.\nArchived\nfrom the original on 13 February 2013\n. Retrieved\n7 December\n2023\n.\n^\n\"A&W's mascot resurgence part of chain's bid to 'start fresh'\n\"\n. QSRweb. February 25, 2013.\nArchived\nfrom the original on December 7, 2023\n. Retrieved\nDecember 7,\n2023\n.\n^\n\"A message from A&W\"\n. twitter.com.\nArchived\nfrom the original on January 25, 2023\n. Retrieved\nAugust 1,\n2023\n.\n^\n@awrestaurants (January 24, 2023).\n\"A message from A&W\"\n(\nTweet\n) – via\nTwitter\n.\n^\n\"Fox News is now mad about the A&W bear parodying the M&M mascots\"\n. avclub.com.\nArchived\nfrom the original on January 26, 2023\n. Retrieved\nAugust 1,\n2023\n.\n^\n\"Is now a good time to mention this is a joke? 😅\"\n. twitter.com.\nArchived\nfrom the original on January 25, 2023\n. Retrieved\nAugust 1,\n2023\n.\n^\n\"Why A&W put pants on its cartoon bear after M&M's spokescandies gaffe\"\n. cbsnews.com. 25 January 2023.\nArchived\nfrom the original on January 25, 2023\n. Retrieved\nAugust 1,\n2023\n.\nThe Mysterious Disappearance of the A&W Root Bear\nby Dive In Canada","attrs_markdown":"[Jump to content](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#bodyContent)\n\nMain menu\n\nMain menu\n\nmove to sidebar\n\nhide\n\nNavigation\n\n- [Main page](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Main_Page \"Visit the main page [z]\")\n- [Contents](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Contents \"Guides to browsing Wikipedia\")\n- [Current events](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Portal:Current_events \"Articles related to current events\")\n- [Random article](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:Random \"Visit a randomly selected article [x]\")\n- [About Wikipedia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:About \"Learn about Wikipedia and how it works\")\n- [Contact us](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Contact_us \"How to contact Wikipedia\")\n\nContribute\n\n- [Help](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Help:Contents \"Guidance on how to use and edit Wikipedia\")\n- [Learn to edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Help:Introduction \"Learn how to edit Wikipedia\")\n- [Community portal](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Community_portal \"The hub for editors\")\n- [Recent changes](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:RecentChanges \"A list of recent changes to Wikipedia [r]\")\n- [Upload file](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:File_upload_wizard \"Add images or other media for use on Wikipedia\")\n- [Special pages](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:SpecialPages \"A list of all special pages [q]\")\n\n[![](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/static\/images\/icons\/enwiki-25.svg) ![Wikipedia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/static\/images\/mobile\/copyright\/wikipedia-wordmark-en-25.svg) ![The Free Encyclopedia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/static\/images\/mobile\/copyright\/wikipedia-tagline-en-25.svg)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Main_Page)\n\n[Search](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:Search \"Search Wikipedia [f]\")\n\nAppearance\n\n- [Donate](https:\/\/donate.wikimedia.org\/?wmf_source=donate&wmf_medium=sidebar&wmf_campaign=en.wikipedia.org&uselang=en)\n- [Create account](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Special:CreateAccount&returnto=The+Great+Root+Bear \"You are encouraged to create an account and log in; however, it is not mandatory\")\n- [Log in](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin&returnto=The+Great+Root+Bear \"You're encouraged to log in; however, it's not mandatory. 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[o]\")\n\n## Contents\nmove to sidebar\n\nhide\n\n- [(Top)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear)\n- [1 Appearance](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#Appearance)\n- [2 History](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#History)\n  Toggle History subsection\n  - [2\\.1 Creation and early development](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#Creation_and_early_development)\n  - [2\\.2 International adoption](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#International_adoption)\n  - [2\\.3 In Canada](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#In_Canada)\n  - [2\\.4 Decline and rebound](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#Decline_and_rebound)\n- [3 Personality and role at A\\&W](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#Personality_and_role_at_A&W)\n- [4 Controversies](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#Controversies)\n  Toggle Controversies subsection\n  - [4\\.1 2013 LinkedIn scandal](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#2013_LinkedIn_scandal)\n  - [4\\.2 Rooty pants incident](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#Rooty_pants_incident)\n- [5 See also](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#See_also)\n- [6 References](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#References)\n- [7 External links](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#External_links)\n\nToggle the table of contents\n\n# The Great Root Bear\nAdd languages\n\n[Add links](https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Special:EntityPage\/Q123746773#sitelinks-wikipedia \"Add interlanguage links\")\n\n- [Article](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear \"View the content page [c]\")\n- [Talk](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Talk:The_Great_Root_Bear \"Discuss improvements to the content page [t]\")\n\nEnglish\n\n- [Read](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear)\n- [Edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit \"Edit this page [e]\")\n- [View history](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=history \"Past revisions of this page [h]\")\n\nTools\n\nTools\n\nmove to sidebar\n\nhide\n\nActions\n\n- [Read](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear)\n- [Edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit \"Edit this page [e]\")\n- [View history](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=history)\n\nGeneral\n\n- [What links here](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:WhatLinksHere\/The_Great_Root_Bear \"List of all English Wikipedia pages containing links to this page [j]\")\n- [Related changes](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:RecentChangesLinked\/The_Great_Root_Bear \"Recent changes in pages linked from this page [k]\")\n- [Upload file](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:File_Upload_Wizard \"Upload files [u]\")\n- [Permanent link](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&oldid=1341457463 \"Permanent link to this revision of this page\")\n- [Page information](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=info \"More information about this page\")\n- [Cite this page](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Special:CiteThisPage&page=The_Great_Root_Bear&id=1341457463&wpFormIdentifier=titleform \"Information on how to cite this page\")\n- [Get shortened URL](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Special:UrlShortener&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FThe_Great_Root_Bear)\n\nPrint\/export\n\n- [Download as PDF](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Special:DownloadAsPdf&page=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=show-download-screen \"Download this page as a PDF file\")\n- [Printable version](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&printable=yes \"Printable version of this page [p]\")\n\nIn other projects\n\n- [Wikidata item](https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Special:EntityPage\/Q123746773 \"Structured data on this page hosted by Wikidata [g]\")\n\nAppearance\n\nmove to sidebar\n\nhide\n\nFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia\n\nMascot of A\\&W American restaurant chain\n\n|   |   |\n|---|---|\n| ![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/en\/thumb\/b\/b4\/Ambox_important.svg\/40px-Ambox_important.svg.png) |   |\n|   |   |\n| ![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/5\/52\/Acap.svg\/40px-Acap.svg.png) | This article **may require [copy editing](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Basic_copyediting \"Wikipedia:Basic copyediting\") for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling**. You can assist by [editing it](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:EditPage\/The_Great_Root_Bear \"Special:EditPage\/The Great Root Bear\"). *(December 2025)* *([Learn how and when to remove this message](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Help:Maintenance_template_removal \"Help:Maintenance template removal\"))* |\n|   |   |\n| [![icon](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/en\/thumb\/9\/99\/Question_book-new.svg\/60px-Question_book-new.svg.png)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Question_book-new.svg) | This article **needs additional citations for [verification](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Verifiability \"Wikipedia:Verifiability\")**. Please help [improve this article](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:EditPage\/The_Great_Root_Bear \"Special:EditPage\/The Great Root Bear\") by [adding citations to reliable sources](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Help:Referencing_for_beginners \"Help:Referencing for beginners\"). Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. *Find sources:* [\"The Great Root Bear\"](https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?as_eq=wikipedia&q=%22The+Great+Root+Bear%22) – [news](https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?tbm=nws&q=%22The+Great+Root+Bear%22+-wikipedia&tbs=ar:1) **·** [newspapers](https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?&q=%22The+Great+Root+Bear%22&tbs=bkt:s&tbm=bks) **·** [books](https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?tbs=bks:1&q=%22The+Great+Root+Bear%22+-wikipedia) **·** [scholar](https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/scholar?q=%22The+Great+Root+Bear%22) **·** [JSTOR](https:\/\/www.jstor.org\/action\/doBasicSearch?Query=%22The+Great+Root+Bear%22&acc=on&wc=on) *(September 2025)* *([Learn how and when to remove this message](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Help:Maintenance_template_removal \"Help:Maintenance template removal\"))* |\n\nFictional character\n\n| Rooty the Great Root Bear |   |\n|---|---|\n| [A\\&W Restaurants](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/A%26W_Restaurants \"A&W Restaurants\") character |   |\n| [![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/fe\/Rooty_The_Great_American_Root_Bear_Statue_-_panoramio.jpg\/250px-Rooty_The_Great_American_Root_Bear_Statue_-_panoramio.jpg)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Rooty_The_Great_American_Root_Bear_Statue_-_panoramio.jpg)Rooty in his American version, in a statue photographed at the [Iowa County, Wisconsin](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Iowa_County,_Wisconsin \"Iowa County, Wisconsin\") location in 2016 |   |\n| First appearance | 1973; 53 years ago (1973) |\n| In-universe information |   |\n| Species | [Brown bear](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Brown_bear \"Brown bear\") |\n| Gender | Male |\n| Occupation | Bear mascot for the [A\\&W Restaurants](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/A%26W_Restaurants \"A&W Restaurants\") [fast food](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fast_food \"Fast food\") chain |\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/db\/Avenue_du_Mont-Royal_07a.JPG\/250px-Avenue_du_Mont-Royal_07a.JPG)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Avenue_du_Mont-Royal_07a.JPG)\n\nRooty in his Canadian version\n\n**The Great Root Bear**, known since at least early 2012 as **Rooty** and in [Quebec](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Quebec \"Quebec\") as **Grand Ours A\\&W**,[\\[1\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-1) is an [anthropomorphic](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Anthropomorphism \"Anthropomorphism\") [brown bear](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Brown_bear \"Brown bear\") used as the [mascot](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mascot \"Mascot\") (or \"spokesbear\"[\\[2\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-RootyApproach-2)) of [A\\&W Restaurants](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/A%26W_Restaurants \"A&W Restaurants\") in the [United States](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/A%26W_Restaurants \"A&W Restaurants\"), [Canada](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Canada \"Canada\"), and in parts of [Asia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Asia \"Asia\"). [Canadian operations](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/A%26W_\$Canada\$ \"A&W (Canada)\") use a region-specific version of the character. The mascot was introduced in 1973.[\\[3\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-3) In the United States, the mascot went out of use in the 2000s, but saw a resurgence after 2011.\n\n## Appearance\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=1 \"Edit section: Appearance\")\\]\n\nRooty's appearance is nearly identical across the two branches. He is a 7-foot bipedal brown bear with a tan snout, orange hat and orange pullover sweater bearing the A\\&W logo.[\\[4\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-4)[\\[5\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Rooty1-5) The Canadian version has a modified face and a brown snout. Some have compared his appearance to [Yogi Bear](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yogi_Bear \"Yogi Bear\").[\\[6\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-6)\n\n## History\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=2 \"Edit section: History\")\\]\n\n### Creation and early development\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=3 \"Edit section: Creation and early development\")\\]\n\nAlthough often misattributed to Canada, the mascot concept originated in the United States. Until the early 1970s, the A\\&W's primary mascot in the United States and Canada was the Burger Family.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\] A prototype of what later became The Great Root Bear appeared in kids' meal bags at the American chain in the early 1970s, similar to the later design. Bears were already popular then, with examples including [Baloo](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Baloo \"Baloo\") from [Disney's](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Walt_Disney_Company \"The Walt Disney Company\") then-recent adaptation of *[The Jungle Book](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Jungle_Book_\$1967_film\$ \"The Jungle Book (1967 film)\")*, Disney's acquisition of the licensing rights to [Winnie-the-Pooh](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Winnie_the_Pooh_\$franchise\$ \"Winnie the Pooh (franchise)\") and the success of the [Hanna-Barbera](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hanna-Barbera \"Hanna-Barbera\") character [Yogi Bear](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yogi_Bear \"Yogi Bear\"). In 1971, an A\\&W franchise in [Oshkosh, Wisconsin](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Oshkosh,_Wisconsin \"Oshkosh, Wisconsin\"), used a completely different costume for a character tentatively named \"Root Bear\"; in late April that year, the character awoke from hibernation and washed customers' car windows. Another proposed influence was Rooti, a panda-like bear for [Canada Dry](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Canada_Dry \"Canada Dry\")'s root beer in the 1960s.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\]\n\nBy the early 1970s, A\\&W was losing ground to [McDonald's](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/McDonald%27s \"McDonald's\") and [KFC](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/KFC \"KFC\") in both the United States and Canada. The Canadian operations were sold to [Unilever](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Unilever \"Unilever\") in an attempt to keep the chain afloat.[\\[7\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Ottawa-7) In 1972, A\\&W's newly independent Canadian branch appointed Ron Woodall to develop a television commercial and a new mascot. The goal was to create a campaign that did not show food or specific eating habits. If the campaign failed, Unilever would sell the chain.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\]\n\nWoodall sketched concepts and went to [Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Smuggler_Cove_Marine_Provincial_Park \"Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park\"), north of [Vancouver](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Vancouver \"Vancouver\"), to film the first commercial and pitch the new mascot.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\] This approach frustrated some A\\&W staff, as it did not depict restaurant operations, which Woodall preferred to avoid. A [focus group](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Focus_group \"Focus group\") was set up in [Toronto](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Toronto \"Toronto\") to gather public opinions, and the results of the earlier test in Vancouver were discarded. A prototype of the first commercial was shown to a test audience and performed well enough for Unilever to proceed. With a limited budget, a commercial was shot in [Alberta](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Alberta \"Alberta\"). Edmonton was initially considered, but rapid development led to rejecting it as a location, and nearby rural areas experienced heavy traffic. Pincher Creek was ultimately selected. For the shoot, hotels were booked past their seasonal closing; the bear was performed by a ballerina (Katherine); and characters resembling the [Marx Brothers](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Marx_Brothers \"Marx Brothers\"), [Hulk Hogan](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hulk_Hogan \"Hulk Hogan\"), and [Evel Knievel](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Evel_Knievel \"Evel Knievel\") appeared, following the bear.[\\[8\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-8)\n\n### International adoption\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=4 \"Edit section: International adoption\")\\]\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/9\/95\/A_%26_W_Root_Beer_sign%2C_Wittenberg%2C_Wisconsin_LCCN2017709548.tif\/lossy-page1-190px-A_%26_W_Root_Beer_sign%2C_Wittenberg%2C_Wisconsin_LCCN2017709548.tif.jpg)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:A_%26_W_Root_Beer_sign,_Wittenberg,_Wisconsin_LCCN2017709548.tif)\n\nStatue of The Great Root Bear photographed at the [Wittenberg, Wisconsin](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wittenberg,_Wisconsin \"Wittenberg, Wisconsin\") location in 1988\n\nBefore long, The Great Root Bear was adopted by the American A\\&W chain, and its restaurants in Asia.[\\[9\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-RootySG1974-9)[\\[10\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-10)[\\[11\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-11) In the United States, the previous A\\&W mascots, the Burger Family, were phased out beginning in 1973.[\\[12\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-12) Although, according to A\\&W, Rooty was \"born\" on June 19, 1974, earlier press materials given to franchisees claim that he was \"born\" in September 1973.[\\[13\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-13) The costume, with an animated-style appearance, was designed by the same company that made costumes for [Disneyland](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Disneyland \"Disneyland\").[\\[14\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-14) The design cost \\$25,000 (equivalent to \\$163,208.5 in 2025).[\\[15\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-15)\n\nThe Great Root Bear soon began making public appearances, including television performances, visits to hospitals and schools, and events at the chain's restaurants, especially starting in the summer season of 1974.[\\[16\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-16)[\\[17\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-17)[\\[18\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-18) He also took part in activities related to the [Easterseals](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Easterseals_\$U.S.\$ \"Easterseals (U.S.)\") Telethon in 1976 and 1977.[\\[19\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-19) Restaurants handed out Great Root Bear-branded Hocus-Pocus Magic Kits during the campaign.[\\[20\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-20)\n\nBy 1976, the mascot had become successful, and merchandise such as straws featuring the bear was available.[\\[21\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-21)[\\[22\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-22) A hand puppet of the bear was introduced in during the 1977 Christmas season.[\\[23\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-23) In 1978, the company's newsletter, the *A\\&W News Dispenser*, was renamed *A\\&W News Bearer*.[\\[24\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-GreatAmericanBrand-24) At birthday parties hosted at its restaurants, balloons were called \"bearloons\" and straws \"bearstraws\".[\\[25\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-25) Beginning in 1975, A\\&W printed coupons known as \"The Great Root Bear Buck\" (now \"Bear Bucks\"), modeled after U.S. dollar notes with Rooty's face in the center.[\\[26\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-26)\n\nUntil 2012, the mascot had no official given name. In its first year of usage in the United States, a franchisee in [Walla Walla](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Walla_Walla,_Washington \"Walla Walla, Washington\") named him \"Rudy\" in a newspaper advertisement for take-home gallons of root beer, a name similar to the current Rooty..[\\[27\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-27)\n\nThe bear also lent his name to a playground at restaurants in Malaysia starting in 1990, Bearland.[\\[28\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-28) By early 2004, the Bearland playground had lost most of its attractions.[\\[29\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-29)\n\n### In Canada\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=5 \"Edit section: In Canada\")\\]\n\nThe Great Root Bear, with a distinct design, continued to appear in television commercials for the separate Canadian chain. The Canadian chain registered its own trademark for the mascot in 1978, and on September 11, 1995, for his French name, Grand Ours A\\&W.[\\[30\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-30)[\\[31\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-31)\n\nThe bear and the tuba jingle that accompanied him became a long-running campaign, created by Griffiths-Gibson of [Vancouver](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Vancouver \"Vancouver\") (the tune, entitled \"Ba-Dum, Ba-Dum\", was released as a single in April 1977 by [Attic Records](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Attic_Records_\$Canada\$ \"Attic Records (Canada)\"), credited to \"Major Ursus,\" a play on [Ursa Major](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ursa_Major \"Ursa Major\"), or \"great bear\").[\\[32\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-32)[\\[33\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-33) Composer and B.C. Hall of Fame inductee Miles Ramsay helped compose the song.[\\[34\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-34) The jingle was performed by Vancouver jazz, classical, and session trombonist Sharman King and was often accompanied by the slogan \"Follow the Great Root Bear to A\\&W\".[\\[7\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Ottawa-7)\n\nDuring 1997 and 1998, [Drew Carey](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Drew_Carey \"Drew Carey\") served as a spokesperson for the chain, appearing in TV ads alongside the bear; he was dismissed (with legal action ensuing) after a November 1998 [episode](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_High_Road_to_China_\$The_Drew_Carey_Show\$ \"The High Road to China (The Drew Carey Show)\") of *[The Drew Carey Show](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Drew_Carey_Show \"The Drew Carey Show\")* featured Carey eating at a McDonald's location in [China](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/China \"China\").[\\[35\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-35)\n\nFollowing the reintroduction of The Burger Family, the bear was phased out from advertising. Only in 2025 did A\\&W Canada started calling him officially as Rooty, in line with his 50th anniversary. A special birthday party was held at locations in Toronto and Calgary on October 18.[\\[36\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-36)\n\n### Decline and rebound\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=6 \"Edit section: Decline and rebound\")\\]\n\nIn 2000, A\\&W donated 30 teddy bear versions of its mascot to the Bears on Patrol children's safety program in [Oakland County, Michigan](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Oakland_County,_Michigan \"Oakland County, Michigan\").[\\[37\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-37)\n\nIn 2009, as the bear was being downplayed nationally, the [Lodi](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lodi,_California \"Lodi, California\") restaurant (owned by Peter Knight) registered the @awrestaurants [Twitter](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Twitter \"Twitter\") username, which the national chain adopted within a couple of years. Some posts in spring 2009 were written in the bear's voice (then unnamed). The mascot also appeared at the opening of a new restaurant in [Garden City, Kansas](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Garden_City,_Kansas \"Garden City, Kansas\"), in early 2009.[\\[38\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-38)\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/2\/29\/A%26W_restaurant_interior_in_Lodi%2C_California.jpg\/250px-A%26W_restaurant_interior_in_Lodi%2C_California.jpg)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:A%26W_restaurant_interior_in_Lodi,_California.jpg)\n\nA statue of Rooty holding a mug of root beer while sitting on a barrel\n\nA new administration took over A\\&W in the United States in 2011. Liz Bazner described it as \"criminal\" that the chain was not using the mascot and put him in charge of the Twitter account.[\\[39\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Marketing-39) A bronze statue of the bear holding a mug was erected in the lobby of the new headquarters in Lexington.[\\[40\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-40) In March 2012, A\\&W released a video showing the bear working at the building during construction, with comedic mishaps. Around this time, the name Rooty appeared and became official. In June 2012 (the de facto 93rd anniversary of A\\&W), Lexington media house uHAPS Media produced a faux news item depicting Rooty emerging from hibernation.\n\nThe earliest known use of Rooty as the mascot's name, previously just the Great Root Bear, was a Facebook post on January 30, 2012, in which A\\&W jokingly signed him up for [Skype](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Skype \"Skype\").\n\nThe resurgence formed part of a broader relaunch under the new owners.[\\[41\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Rooty2013-41) Liz Bazner, who was in charge of the tweets,[\\[42\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-42) created a running joke that Rooty had been \"hibernating\" before 2012. In January 2013, A\\&W launched a new website following a new creative marketing agreement with Cornett Integrated Marketing. Executives worked with franchisees in Asia, where the mascot remained prominent, to incorporate him into birthday parties at U.S. restaurants. Rooty also received a [Vine](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Vine_\$service\$ \"Vine (service)\") account and a [smartphone app](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Smartphone_app \"Smartphone app\"), \"Burping Rooty\". A\\&W's website featured a \"bear cam\" that \"streamed\" Rooty's daily activities.[\\[43\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-43) Rooty also featured in the first product release on [Vine](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Vine_\$service\$ \"Vine (service)\").[\\[44\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-44)\n\nIn 2013-2014, four episodes of a fictional [reality series](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Reality_series \"Reality series\") involving Rooty, *The Bear is Back*, were released on A\\&W's YouTube channel, filmed at the company's headquarters.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\]\n\nA [CGI](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Computer_animation \"Computer animation\") version of Rooty was created in 2022 with the aim of being easily rigged for animation and motion capture.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\]\n\n## Personality and role at A\\&W\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=7 \"Edit section: Personality and role at A&W\")\\]\n\nFrom the outset, Rooty was intended to be A\\&W's \"ambassador of fun\"[\\[24\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-GreatAmericanBrand-24) or \"goodwill ambassador\".[\\[9\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-RootySG1974-9) The chain suggests that Rooty embodies \"fun and nostalgia\" associated with the brand.[\\[39\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Marketing-39) He is described as \"funny\" and \"goofy\", and was seen as \"not polarizing, but lovable\".\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\] In 1992, a franchisee owner described Rooty as \"very fuzzy, very friendly and plump\".[\\[45\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-45)\n\nTwo books published in 1990 described Rooty as \"a fun-loving adventurer\" and \"a friend to children everywhere\".[\\[46\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-46)[\\[47\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-47)\n\nWhether Rooty has a family is unclear. At the entrance of the former A\\&W restaurant in [Petaling Jaya](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Petaling_Jaya \"Petaling Jaya\"), an illustration of Rooty (seen with a pentagonal hat, akin to the design used by the costume in [Malaysia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Malaysia \"Malaysia\")) appears with his supposed wife and two cubs.[\\[48\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-48) A 1987 print advertisement for the American branch's lunch boxes in that year's back-to-school season depicted Rooty and his wife behind a cub.[\\[49\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-49)\n\n## Controversies\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=8 \"Edit section: Controversies\")\\]\n\n### 2013 LinkedIn scandal\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=9 \"Edit section: 2013 LinkedIn scandal\")\\]\n\nIn February 2013, Rooty became the first mascot to have a [LinkedIn](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/LinkedIn \"LinkedIn\") profile.[\\[50\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-50) However, LinkedIn removed the profile after about a week on the grounds that the Rooty is not real.[\\[51\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-51) A\\&W protested the decision.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\]\n\n### Rooty pants incident\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=10 \"Edit section: Rooty pants incident\")\\]\n\nIn response to public debate over the sexiness of its Green M\\&M character, [M\\&M's](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/M%26M%27s \"M&M's\") announced in a January 23, 2023 social media post that it would \"indefinitely pause\" the use of its \"spokescandies\" characters. The next day, A\\&W issued a similarly formatted post.[\\[52\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-A&WScandal1-52)\n\n> America, let's talk. Since 1963, Rooty the Great Root Bear has been our beloved spokesbear. We knew people would notice because he's literally a 6-foot tall bear wearing an orange sweater. But now we get it — even a mascot's lack of pants can be polarizing. Therefore, we have decided that Rooty will wear jeans going forward.\n\n— A\\&W, January 24, 2023[\\[53\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-53)\n\nThough intended as a parody of the [M\\&M's](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/M%26M%27s \"M&M's\") post, A\\&W's intent was not immediately clear and some believed the pants change to be true. Segments on [Fox News](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fox_News \"Fox News\") and [Fox Business](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fox_Business \"Fox Business\") presented it as real news, with one host exclaiming \"the woke police cancel culture has gone ridiculous!\"[\\[54\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-A&WScandal2-54) A\\&W clarified that the post was a joke and that no changes were planned for Rooty's outfit.[\\[55\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-A&WScandal3-55)[\\[56\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-A&WScandal4-56)\n\n## See also\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=11 \"Edit section: See also\")\\]\n\n- [List of American advertising characters](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_American_advertising_characters \"List of American advertising characters\")\n- [The Burger Family](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Burger_Family \"The Burger Family\")\n\n## References\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=12 \"Edit section: References\")\\]\n\n1. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-1)**\n   [\"A\\&W célèbre l'ouverture de son 100e restaurant au Québec\"](https:\/\/www.newswire.ca\/fr\/news-releases\/aw-celebre-louverture-de-son-100e-restaurant-au-quebec-512106141.html). Newswire Canada. 3 December 2013. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20160901142435\/https:\/\/www.newswire.ca\/fr\/news-releases\/aw-celebre-louverture-de-son-100e-restaurant-au-quebec-512106141.html) from the original on 1 September 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2024.\n2. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-RootyApproach_2-0)**\n   [\"A\\&W spokes-bear Rooty discusses his approach to social media\"](https:\/\/www.nrn.com\/cmo-perspectives\/aw-spokes-bear-rooty-discusses-his-approach-social-media). Nation's Restaurant News. April 15, 2013. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20130421021539\/https:\/\/www.nrn.com\/cmo-perspectives\/aw-spokes-bear-rooty-discusses-his-approach-social-media) from the original on April 21, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2023.\n3. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-3)**\n   [\"A\\&W @ 100: Fun Facts and a Little History\"](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20221119093119\/https:\/\/awrestaurants.com\/sites\/default\/files\/A%26W%20Fun%20Facts%20%26%20History%202021.pdf) (PDF). A\\&W Restaurants. 1 February 2020. Archived from [the original](https:\/\/awrestaurants.com\/sites\/default\/files\/A%26W%20Fun%20Facts%20%26%20History%202021.pdf) (PDF) on 19 November 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2024.\n4. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-4)** Farrow, R. (2013, Mar 15). Lodi celebrates lady sadie. McClatchy - Tribune Business News\n5. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Rooty1_5-0)**\n   [\"The A & W Root Beer Bears\"](http:\/\/www.collectorsjournal.com\/columns\/the-a-w-root-beer-bears\/article_1af03ed1-f53c-512b-af92-a5560520929e.html). Collectors' Journal. April 2020. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20200413021138\/http:\/\/www.collectorsjournal.com\/columns\/the-a-w-root-beer-bears\/article_1af03ed1-f53c-512b-af92-a5560520929e.html) from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2023.\n6. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-6)**\n   [*Encyclopedia of Consumer Brands: Consumable products*](https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=r5cYAAAAIAAJ). St. James Press. 1994. [ISBN](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/ISBN_\$identifier\$ \"ISBN (identifier)\")\n   \n   [978-1-55862-336-1](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:BookSources\/978-1-55862-336-1 \"Special:BookSources\/978-1-55862-336-1\")\n   \n   . Retrieved 15 July 2024.\n7. ^ [***a***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Ottawa_7-0) [***b***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Ottawa_7-1) Barker, J. (1999, Jun 12). Canadian TV ads second to none: They might not have made a top 100 list, but ours are every bit as memorable -- and effective. jeremy barker reports.: \\[final edition\\]. The Ottawa Citizen\n8. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-8)**\n   O'Reilly, Terry (January 18, 2018). [\"How The A\\&W Root Bear Died Then Came Back to Life\"](http:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/radio\/undertheinfluence\/how-the-a-w-root-bear-died-then-came-back-to-life-1.4492502). *Under the Influence*. CBC Radio One. Pirate Radio. Retrieved January 20, 2018.\n9. ^ [***a***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-RootySG1974_9-0) [***b***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-RootySG1974_9-1)\n   [\"Page 9 Advertisements Column 1\"](https:\/\/eresources.nlb.gov.sg\/newspapers\/digitised\/article\/straitstimes19741113-1.2.46.1). *The Straits Times*. 13 November 1974. Retrieved 4 December 2023.\n10. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-10)**\n    [\"Page 9 Advertisements Column 2\"](https:\/\/eresources.nlb.gov.sg\/newspapers\/digitised\/article\/straitstimes19760911-1.2.52.2). *The Straits Times*. 11 September 1976. Retrieved 4 December 2023.\n11. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-11)**\n    [\"Page 7 Advertisements Column 3\"](https:\/\/eresources.nlb.gov.sg\/newspapers\/digitised\/article\/straitstimes19780209-1.2.51.3). *The Straits Times*. 9 February 1978. Retrieved 4 December 2023.\n12. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-12)**\n    Spector, Joseph (September 7, 2019). [\"Papa Burger gets a permanent home in New York, and he looks amazing\"](https:\/\/www.newspapers.com\/clip\/117288258\/aw-mascot-democrat-chronicle\/). *Democrat and Chronicle*. p. A11.\n13. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-13)**\n    [*Eugene Register-Guard*](https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=pvlVAAAAIBAJ&dq=%22great+root+bear%22&pg=PA32&article_id=1952,3988561). Eugene Register-Guard.\n14. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-14)** *Root Bear Coming to Town*, The Kingston Daily Freeman, 18 September 1974, page 13.\n15. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-15)** *A\\&W to feature Great Root Bear*, Kenosha News, 12 May 1975, page 21.\n16. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-16)** Madison Wisconsin State Journal, 11 July 1976, page 82.\n17. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-17)** *A\\&W's Great Root Bear To Visit In Rock Falls*, Sterling Daily Gazette, 5 June 1978, page 7.\n18. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-18)**\n    [\"A\\&W Great Root Bear to Visit Hanford\"](https:\/\/www.newspapers.com\/article\/the-hanford-sentinel-aw-great-root-bear\/137387355\/). The Hanfort Sentinel (1977) via Newspapers.com. 17 December 1977. p. 12. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20240124153358\/https:\/\/www.newspapers.com\/article\/the-hanford-sentinel-aw-great-root-bear\/137387355\/) from the original on January 24, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.\n19. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-19)** *A\\&W Root Bear in Seal Appeal*, The Vallejo Times Herald, 20 March 1976, page 5.\n20. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-20)** *A\\&W Joins Campaign*, The Colorado Springs Gazette, 14 March 1976, page 135.\n21. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-21)** The Colorado Springs Gazette, 14 March 1976, page 135.\n22. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-22)**\n    [\"Radio & Records\"](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20220922121244\/https:\/\/www.worldradiohistory.com\/Archive-All-Music\/Archive-RandR\/1970s\/1976\/RR-1976-06-25.pdf) (PDF). *World Radio History*. 25 June 1976. p. 6. Archived from [the original](https:\/\/www.worldradiohistory.com\/Archive-All-Music\/Archive-RandR\/1970s\/1976\/RR-1976-06-25.pdf) (PDF) on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2024.\n23. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-23)** Eureka Times Standard, 18 December 1977, page 20.\n24. ^ [***a***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-GreatAmericanBrand_24-0) [***b***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-GreatAmericanBrand_24-1) A Great American Brand - 90 Years of A\\&W, by Christa Bourg, 2009.\n25. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-25)**\n    [\"Page 10 Advertisements Column 1\"](https:\/\/eresources.nlb.gov.sg\/newspapers\/digitised\/article\/straitstimes19800628-1.2.49.1). *The Straits Times*. 28 June 1980. Retrieved 4 December 2023.\n26. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-26)** The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 September 1975, page 6E.\n27. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-27)** Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 9 August 1974, page 8.\n28. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-28)**\n    [*Fun and games at Bearland*](https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=4sZUAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA14). New Straits Times.\n29. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-29)**\n    [\"We Deyyy\"](https:\/\/glaringnotebook.com\/?p=205). Glaring Notebook. 28 February 2004. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20160914161012\/https:\/\/glaringnotebook.com\/?p=205) from the original on 14 September 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2024.\n30. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-30)** [Canadian Trade-Mark Data - A & W](http:\/\/strategis.gc.ca\/SSG\/0384\/trdp038440600e.html)\n31. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-31)** [Canadian Trade-Mark Data - A & W](http:\/\/strategis.gc.ca\/SSG\/0583\/trdp058362900e.html)\n32. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-32)**\n    [\"Broadcast Dialogue\"](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20210309153809\/https:\/\/www.worldradiohistory.com\/CANADA\/Broadcast-Dialogue\/Broadcast-Dialogue-2008-04.pdf) (PDF). *World Radio History*. April 2008. p. 28. Archived from [the original](https:\/\/www.worldradiohistory.com\/CANADA\/Broadcast-Dialogue\/Broadcast-Dialogue-2008-04.pdf) (PDF) on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2024.\n33. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-33)**\n    [*Billboard*](https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=RyMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT64). 16 April 1977.\n34. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-34)**\n    [\"Miles Ramsay\"](https:\/\/bcentertainmenthalloffame.com\/ramsay-miles\/). B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame. 2010. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20240718203229\/https:\/\/bcentertainmenthalloffame.com\/ramsay-miles\/) from the original on 18 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.\n35. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-35)**\n    Ryan, Joal (January 13, 1999). [\"Drew Carey's Ill-Timed Big Mac Attack\"](http:\/\/ca.eonline.com\/news\/37575\/drew-carey-s-ill-timed-big-mac-attack). *[EOnline.com](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/E! \"E!\")*. Retrieved January 13, 2013.\n    \n    Note that this source [incorrectly](http:\/\/www.thefreelibrary.com\/A%26W+Restaurants,+Inc.+Statement.-a053553935) [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20140312014423\/http:\/\/www.thefreelibrary.com\/A%26W+Restaurants,+Inc.+Statement.-a053553935) 2014-03-12 at the [Wayback Machine](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wayback_Machine \"Wayback Machine\") implies that Carey was a spokesperson for the independently-owned American A\\&W chain.\n36. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-36)** [A\\&W's Mascot Rooty is Turning 50](https:\/\/www.foodserviceandhospitality.com\/aws-mascot-rooty-is-turning-50\/)\n37. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-37)**\n    [\"\"Great Root Bears\" Calm Children\"](https:\/\/www.qsrmagazine.com\/news\/great-root-bears-calm-children\/). *QSR Magazine*. March 28, 2000. Retrieved 30 October 2024.\n38. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-38)** *New eateries aplenty in Garden City*, The Garden City Telegram, 24 January 2009, page D8.\n39. ^ [***a***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Marketing_39-0) [***b***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Marketing_39-1)\n    [\"A\\&W Franchise Marketing Made Easy - A\\&W Franchise\"](https:\/\/awfranchising.com\/research\/marketing-made-easy\/). awfranchising.com. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20231204110511\/https:\/\/awfranchising.com\/research\/marketing-made-easy\/) from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.\n40. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-40)**\n    [\"Lexington's loyal to its homegrown fast-food chains\"](https:\/\/www.kentucky.com\/news\/business\/article44377353.html). Lexington Herald-Leader. 17 September 2012. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20180428142222\/https:\/\/www.kentucky.com\/news\/business\/article44377353.html) from the original on 28 April 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2023.\n41. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Rooty2013_41-0)**\n    [\"A\\&W's mascot resurgence part of chain's bid to 'start fresh'\"](https:\/\/www.qsrweb.com\/articles\/aws-mascot-resurgence-part-of-chains-bid-to-start-fresh\/). QSRweb. April 5, 2013. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20231204111910\/https:\/\/www.qsrweb.com\/articles\/aws-mascot-resurgence-part-of-chains-bid-to-start-fresh\/) from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.\n42. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-42)**\n    [\"NRN to host Tweet chat on social media strategies\"](https:\/\/www.nrn.com\/latest-headlines\/nrn-host-tweet-chat-social-media-strategies). Nation's Restaurant News. April 12, 2013. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20130414175052\/https:\/\/www.nrn.com\/latest-headlines\/nrn-host-tweet-chat-social-media-strategies) from the original on April 14, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2023.\n43. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-43)**\n    [\"A\\&W brings back its official spokesbear, Rooty\"](https:\/\/www.kentucky.com\/news\/business\/article44418768.html). Lexington Herald-Leader. 14 April 2013. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20160126065142\/https:\/\/www.kentucky.com\/news\/business\/article44418768.html) from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2023.\n44. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-44)**\n    Corr, Amy (April 29, 2013). [\"A\\&W Restaurant's Social Media Moves: Locked Out Of LinkedIn, Rebounds With Vine\"](http:\/\/www.mediapost.com\/publications\/article\/199180\/aw-restaurants-social-media-moves-locked-out-of.html#axzz2Yf1ZSkF9). *MediaPost Publications*. Retrieved June 17, 2014.\n45. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-45)** *What do you say to a yogurt cup?*, Arlington Heights Daily Herald, 19 March 1992, p. 12\/1A\n46. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-46)** Jacquelyn Perren, *A Day at the Zoo*, 1990\n47. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-47)** Jacquelyn Perren, *A Sea Voyage*, 1990\n48. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-48)**\n    [\"Amburgers & Wootbeer\"](https:\/\/glaringnotebook.com\/?p=7263). Glaring Notebook. 10 August 2014. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20150211074633\/https:\/\/glaringnotebook.com\/?p=7263) from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2023.\n49. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-49)** Delphos Herald, 12 August 1987, p. 2\n50. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-50)**\n    [\"Lexington's loyal to its homegrown fast-food chains\"](https:\/\/www.mediapost.com\/publications\/article\/193242\/aw-root-beer-mascot-gets-own-linkedin-page.html). MediaPost Publications. 11 February 2013. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20130213171903\/https:\/\/www.mediapost.com\/publications\/article\/193242\/aw-root-beer-mascot-gets-own-linkedin-page.html) from the original on 13 February 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2023.\n51. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-51)**\n    [\"A\\&W's mascot resurgence part of chain's bid to 'start fresh'\"](https:\/\/www.qsrweb.com\/news\/aw-lobbies-for-mascots-linkedin-presence\/). QSRweb. February 25, 2013. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20231207114230\/https:\/\/www.qsrweb.com\/news\/aw-lobbies-for-mascots-linkedin-presence\/) from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.\n52. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-A&WScandal1_52-0)**\n    [\"A message from A\\&W\"](https:\/\/twitter.com\/awrestaurants\/status\/1617975902004019231). twitter.com. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20230125125812\/https:\/\/twitter.com\/awrestaurants\/status\/1617975902004019231) from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.\n53. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-53)**\n    @awrestaurants (January 24, 2023). [\"A message from A\\&W\"](https:\/\/twitter.com\/awrestaurants\/status\/1617975902004019231) ([Tweet](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tweet_\$social_media\$ \"Tweet (social media)\")) – via [Twitter](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Twitter \"Twitter\").\n54. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-A&WScandal2_54-0)**\n    [\"Fox News is now mad about the A\\&W bear parodying the M\\&M mascots\"](https:\/\/www.avclub.com\/a-w-m-ms-fox-news-rooty-the-great-root-bear-1850035144). avclub.com. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20230126175316\/https:\/\/www.avclub.com\/a-w-m-ms-fox-news-rooty-the-great-root-bear-1850035144) from the original on January 26, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.\n55. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-A&WScandal3_55-0)**\n    [\"Is now a good time to mention this is a joke? 😅\"](https:\/\/twitter.com\/awrestaurants\/status\/1618272834723418112). twitter.com. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20230125162235\/https:\/\/twitter.com\/awrestaurants\/status\/1618272834723418112) from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.\n56. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-A&WScandal4_56-0)**\n    [\"Why A\\&W put pants on its cartoon bear after M\\&M's spokescandies gaffe\"](https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/mms-spokescandies-green-mm-aw-mascot-rooty-the-bear-mascot\/). cbsnews.com. 25 January 2023. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20230125200539\/https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/mms-spokescandies-green-mm-aw-mascot-rooty-the-bear-mascot\/) from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.\n\n## External links\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=13 \"Edit section: External links\")\\]\n\n- [*The Mysterious Disappearance of the A\\&W Root Bear*](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tG_qfiRzous) by Dive In Canada\n\n![](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:CentralAutoLogin\/start?useformat=desktop&type=1x1&usesul3=1)\n\nRetrieved from \"<https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&oldid=1341457463>\"\n\n[Categories](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Help:Category \"Help:Category\"):\n\n- [Corporate mascots](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Category:Corporate_mascots \"Category:Corporate mascots\")\n- [Bear mascots](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Category:Bear_mascots \"Category:Bear mascots\")\n- [American mascots](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Category:American_mascots \"Category:American mascots\")\n- [Canadian mascots](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Category:Canadian_mascots \"Category:Canadian mascots\")\n- [Anthropomorphic bears](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Category:Anthropomorphic_bears \"Category:Anthropomorphic bears\")\n- [Fictional bears](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Category:Fictional_bears \"Category:Fictional bears\")\n- [Mascots introduced in 1973](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Category:Mascots_introduced_in_1973 \"Category:Mascots introduced in 1973\")\n- [Fast food advertising characters](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Category:Fast_food_advertising_characters \"Category:Fast food advertising characters\")\n- [Male characters in advertising](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Category:Male_characters_in_advertising \"Category:Male characters in advertising\")\n\nHidden categories:\n\n- [Webarchive template wayback links](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Category:Webarchive_template_wayback_links \"Category:Webarchive template wayback links\")\n- [Articles with short description](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Category:Articles_with_short_description \"Category:Articles with short description\")\n- [Short description matches Wikidata](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Category:Short_description_matches_Wikidata \"Category:Short description matches Wikidata\")\n- [Wikipedia articles needing copy edit from December 2025](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Category:Wikipedia_articles_needing_copy_edit_from_December_2025 \"Category:Wikipedia articles needing copy edit from December 2025\")\n- [All Wikipedia articles needing copy edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Category:All_Wikipedia_articles_needing_copy_edit \"Category:All Wikipedia articles needing copy edit\")\n- [Articles needing additional references from September 2025](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Category:Articles_needing_additional_references_from_September_2025 \"Category:Articles needing additional references from September 2025\")\n- [All articles needing additional references](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Category:All_articles_needing_additional_references \"Category:All articles needing additional references\")\n- [Articles with multiple maintenance issues](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Category:Articles_with_multiple_maintenance_issues \"Category:Articles with multiple maintenance issues\")\n- [Short description is different from Wikidata](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Category:Short_description_is_different_from_Wikidata \"Category:Short description is different from Wikidata\")\n- [All articles with unsourced statements](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Category:All_articles_with_unsourced_statements \"Category:All articles with unsourced statements\")\n- [Articles with unsourced statements from September 2025](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Category:Articles_with_unsourced_statements_from_September_2025 \"Category:Articles with unsourced statements from September 2025\")\n\n- This page was last edited on 3 March 2026, at 08:36 (UTC).\n- Text is available under the [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Text_of_the_Creative_Commons_Attribution-ShareAlike_4.0_International_License \"Wikipedia:Text of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License\"); additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the [Terms of Use](https:\/\/foundation.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/Special:MyLanguage\/Policy:Terms_of_Use \"foundation:Special:MyLanguage\/Policy:Terms of Use\") and [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/foundation.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/Special:MyLanguage\/Policy:Privacy_policy \"foundation:Special:MyLanguage\/Policy:Privacy policy\"). Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the [Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.](https:\/\/wikimediafoundation.org\/), a non-profit organization.\n\n- [Privacy policy](https:\/\/foundation.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/Special:MyLanguage\/Policy:Privacy_policy)\n- [About Wikipedia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:About)\n- [Disclaimers](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:General_disclaimer)\n- [Contact Wikipedia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Contact_us)\n- [Legal & safety contacts](https:\/\/foundation.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/Special:MyLanguage\/Legal:Wikimedia_Foundation_Legal_and_Safety_Contact_Information)\n- [Code of Conduct](https:\/\/foundation.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/Special:MyLanguage\/Policy:Universal_Code_of_Conduct)\n- [Developers](https:\/\/developer.wikimedia.org\/)\n- [Statistics](https:\/\/stats.wikimedia.org\/#\/en.wikipedia.org)\n- [Cookie statement](https:\/\/foundation.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/Special:MyLanguage\/Policy:Cookie_statement)\n- [Mobile view](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile)\n\n- [![Wikimedia Foundation](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/static\/images\/footer\/wikimedia.svg)](https:\/\/www.wikimedia.org\/)\n- [![Powered by MediaWiki](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/resources\/assets\/mediawiki_compact.svg)](https:\/\/www.mediawiki.org\/)\n\nSearch\n\nToggle the table of contents\n\nThe Great Root Bear\n\nAdd languages\n\n[Add topic](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear)","attrs_readable_markdown":"From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia\n\n| Rooty the Great Root Bear |   |\n|---|---|\n| [A\\&W Restaurants](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/A%26W_Restaurants \"A&W Restaurants\") character |   |\n| [![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/fe\/Rooty_The_Great_American_Root_Bear_Statue_-_panoramio.jpg\/250px-Rooty_The_Great_American_Root_Bear_Statue_-_panoramio.jpg)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Rooty_The_Great_American_Root_Bear_Statue_-_panoramio.jpg)Rooty in his American version, in a statue photographed at the [Iowa County, Wisconsin](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Iowa_County,_Wisconsin \"Iowa County, Wisconsin\") location in 2016 |   |\n| First appearance | 1973; 53 years ago |\n| In-universe information |   |\n| Species | [Brown bear](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Brown_bear \"Brown bear\") |\n| Gender | Male |\n| Occupation | Bear mascot for the [A\\&W Restaurants](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/A%26W_Restaurants \"A&W Restaurants\") [fast food](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fast_food \"Fast food\") chain |\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/db\/Avenue_du_Mont-Royal_07a.JPG\/250px-Avenue_du_Mont-Royal_07a.JPG)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Avenue_du_Mont-Royal_07a.JPG)\n\nRooty in his Canadian version\n\n**The Great Root Bear**, known since at least early 2012 as **Rooty** and in [Quebec](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Quebec \"Quebec\") as **Grand Ours A\\&W**,[\\[1\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-1) is an [anthropomorphic](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Anthropomorphism \"Anthropomorphism\") [brown bear](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Brown_bear \"Brown bear\") used as the [mascot](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mascot \"Mascot\") (or \"spokesbear\"[\\[2\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-RootyApproach-2)) of [A\\&W Restaurants](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/A%26W_Restaurants \"A&W Restaurants\") in the [United States](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/A%26W_Restaurants \"A&W Restaurants\"), [Canada](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Canada \"Canada\"), and in parts of [Asia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Asia \"Asia\"). [Canadian operations](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/A%26W_\$Canada\$ \"A&W (Canada)\") use a region-specific version of the character. The mascot was introduced in 1973.[\\[3\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-3) In the United States, the mascot went out of use in the 2000s, but saw a resurgence after 2011.\n\nRooty's appearance is nearly identical across the two branches. He is a 7-foot bipedal brown bear with a tan snout, orange hat and orange pullover sweater bearing the A\\&W logo.[\\[4\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-4)[\\[5\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Rooty1-5) The Canadian version has a modified face and a brown snout. Some have compared his appearance to [Yogi Bear](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yogi_Bear \"Yogi Bear\").[\\[6\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-6)\n\n### Creation and early development\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=3 \"Edit section: Creation and early development\")\\]\n\nAlthough often misattributed to Canada, the mascot concept originated in the United States. Until the early 1970s, the A\\&W's primary mascot in the United States and Canada was the Burger Family.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\] A prototype of what later became The Great Root Bear appeared in kids' meal bags at the American chain in the early 1970s, similar to the later design. Bears were already popular then, with examples including [Baloo](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Baloo \"Baloo\") from [Disney's](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Walt_Disney_Company \"The Walt Disney Company\") then-recent adaptation of *[The Jungle Book](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Jungle_Book_\$1967_film\$ \"The Jungle Book (1967 film)\")*, Disney's acquisition of the licensing rights to [Winnie-the-Pooh](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Winnie_the_Pooh_\$franchise\$ \"Winnie the Pooh (franchise)\") and the success of the [Hanna-Barbera](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hanna-Barbera \"Hanna-Barbera\") character [Yogi Bear](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yogi_Bear \"Yogi Bear\"). In 1971, an A\\&W franchise in [Oshkosh, Wisconsin](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Oshkosh,_Wisconsin \"Oshkosh, Wisconsin\"), used a completely different costume for a character tentatively named \"Root Bear\"; in late April that year, the character awoke from hibernation and washed customers' car windows. Another proposed influence was Rooti, a panda-like bear for [Canada Dry](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Canada_Dry \"Canada Dry\")'s root beer in the 1960s.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\]\n\nBy the early 1970s, A\\&W was losing ground to [McDonald's](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/McDonald%27s \"McDonald's\") and [KFC](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/KFC \"KFC\") in both the United States and Canada. The Canadian operations were sold to [Unilever](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Unilever \"Unilever\") in an attempt to keep the chain afloat.[\\[7\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Ottawa-7) In 1972, A\\&W's newly independent Canadian branch appointed Ron Woodall to develop a television commercial and a new mascot. The goal was to create a campaign that did not show food or specific eating habits. If the campaign failed, Unilever would sell the chain.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\]\n\nWoodall sketched concepts and went to [Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Smuggler_Cove_Marine_Provincial_Park \"Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park\"), north of [Vancouver](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Vancouver \"Vancouver\"), to film the first commercial and pitch the new mascot.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\] This approach frustrated some A\\&W staff, as it did not depict restaurant operations, which Woodall preferred to avoid. A [focus group](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Focus_group \"Focus group\") was set up in [Toronto](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Toronto \"Toronto\") to gather public opinions, and the results of the earlier test in Vancouver were discarded. A prototype of the first commercial was shown to a test audience and performed well enough for Unilever to proceed. With a limited budget, a commercial was shot in [Alberta](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Alberta \"Alberta\"). Edmonton was initially considered, but rapid development led to rejecting it as a location, and nearby rural areas experienced heavy traffic. Pincher Creek was ultimately selected. For the shoot, hotels were booked past their seasonal closing; the bear was performed by a ballerina (Katherine); and characters resembling the [Marx Brothers](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Marx_Brothers \"Marx Brothers\"), [Hulk Hogan](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hulk_Hogan \"Hulk Hogan\"), and [Evel Knievel](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Evel_Knievel \"Evel Knievel\") appeared, following the bear.[\\[8\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-8)\n\n### International adoption\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=4 \"Edit section: International adoption\")\\]\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/9\/95\/A_%26_W_Root_Beer_sign%2C_Wittenberg%2C_Wisconsin_LCCN2017709548.tif\/lossy-page1-190px-A_%26_W_Root_Beer_sign%2C_Wittenberg%2C_Wisconsin_LCCN2017709548.tif.jpg)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:A_%26_W_Root_Beer_sign,_Wittenberg,_Wisconsin_LCCN2017709548.tif)\n\nStatue of The Great Root Bear photographed at the [Wittenberg, Wisconsin](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wittenberg,_Wisconsin \"Wittenberg, Wisconsin\") location in 1988\n\nBefore long, The Great Root Bear was adopted by the American A\\&W chain, and its restaurants in Asia.[\\[9\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-RootySG1974-9)[\\[10\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-10)[\\[11\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-11) In the United States, the previous A\\&W mascots, the Burger Family, were phased out beginning in 1973.[\\[12\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-12) Although, according to A\\&W, Rooty was \"born\" on June 19, 1974, earlier press materials given to franchisees claim that he was \"born\" in September 1973.[\\[13\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-13) The costume, with an animated-style appearance, was designed by the same company that made costumes for [Disneyland](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Disneyland \"Disneyland\").[\\[14\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-14) The design cost \\$25,000 (equivalent to \\$163,208.5 in 2025).[\\[15\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-15)\n\nThe Great Root Bear soon began making public appearances, including television performances, visits to hospitals and schools, and events at the chain's restaurants, especially starting in the summer season of 1974.[\\[16\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-16)[\\[17\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-17)[\\[18\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-18) He also took part in activities related to the [Easterseals](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Easterseals_\$U.S.\$ \"Easterseals (U.S.)\") Telethon in 1976 and 1977.[\\[19\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-19) Restaurants handed out Great Root Bear-branded Hocus-Pocus Magic Kits during the campaign.[\\[20\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-20)\n\nBy 1976, the mascot had become successful, and merchandise such as straws featuring the bear was available.[\\[21\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-21)[\\[22\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-22) A hand puppet of the bear was introduced in during the 1977 Christmas season.[\\[23\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-23) In 1978, the company's newsletter, the *A\\&W News Dispenser*, was renamed *A\\&W News Bearer*.[\\[24\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-GreatAmericanBrand-24) At birthday parties hosted at its restaurants, balloons were called \"bearloons\" and straws \"bearstraws\".[\\[25\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-25) Beginning in 1975, A\\&W printed coupons known as \"The Great Root Bear Buck\" (now \"Bear Bucks\"), modeled after U.S. dollar notes with Rooty's face in the center.[\\[26\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-26)\n\nUntil 2012, the mascot had no official given name. In its first year of usage in the United States, a franchisee in [Walla Walla](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Walla_Walla,_Washington \"Walla Walla, Washington\") named him \"Rudy\" in a newspaper advertisement for take-home gallons of root beer, a name similar to the current Rooty..[\\[27\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-27)\n\nThe bear also lent his name to a playground at restaurants in Malaysia starting in 1990, Bearland.[\\[28\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-28) By early 2004, the Bearland playground had lost most of its attractions.[\\[29\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-29)\n\nThe Great Root Bear, with a distinct design, continued to appear in television commercials for the separate Canadian chain. The Canadian chain registered its own trademark for the mascot in 1978, and on September 11, 1995, for his French name, Grand Ours A\\&W.[\\[30\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-30)[\\[31\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-31)\n\nThe bear and the tuba jingle that accompanied him became a long-running campaign, created by Griffiths-Gibson of [Vancouver](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Vancouver \"Vancouver\") (the tune, entitled \"Ba-Dum, Ba-Dum\", was released as a single in April 1977 by [Attic Records](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Attic_Records_\$Canada\$ \"Attic Records (Canada)\"), credited to \"Major Ursus,\" a play on [Ursa Major](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ursa_Major \"Ursa Major\"), or \"great bear\").[\\[32\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-32)[\\[33\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-33) Composer and B.C. Hall of Fame inductee Miles Ramsay helped compose the song.[\\[34\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-34) The jingle was performed by Vancouver jazz, classical, and session trombonist Sharman King and was often accompanied by the slogan \"Follow the Great Root Bear to A\\&W\".[\\[7\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Ottawa-7)\n\nDuring 1997 and 1998, [Drew Carey](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Drew_Carey \"Drew Carey\") served as a spokesperson for the chain, appearing in TV ads alongside the bear; he was dismissed (with legal action ensuing) after a November 1998 [episode](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_High_Road_to_China_\$The_Drew_Carey_Show\$ \"The High Road to China (The Drew Carey Show)\") of *[The Drew Carey Show](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Drew_Carey_Show \"The Drew Carey Show\")* featured Carey eating at a McDonald's location in [China](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/China \"China\").[\\[35\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-35)\n\nFollowing the reintroduction of The Burger Family, the bear was phased out from advertising. Only in 2025 did A\\&W Canada started calling him officially as Rooty, in line with his 50th anniversary. A special birthday party was held at locations in Toronto and Calgary on October 18.[\\[36\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-36)\n\n### Decline and rebound\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=6 \"Edit section: Decline and rebound\")\\]\n\nIn 2000, A\\&W donated 30 teddy bear versions of its mascot to the Bears on Patrol children's safety program in [Oakland County, Michigan](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Oakland_County,_Michigan \"Oakland County, Michigan\").[\\[37\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-37)\n\nIn 2009, as the bear was being downplayed nationally, the [Lodi](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lodi,_California \"Lodi, California\") restaurant (owned by Peter Knight) registered the @awrestaurants [Twitter](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Twitter \"Twitter\") username, which the national chain adopted within a couple of years. Some posts in spring 2009 were written in the bear's voice (then unnamed). The mascot also appeared at the opening of a new restaurant in [Garden City, Kansas](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Garden_City,_Kansas \"Garden City, Kansas\"), in early 2009.[\\[38\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-38)\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/2\/29\/A%26W_restaurant_interior_in_Lodi%2C_California.jpg\/250px-A%26W_restaurant_interior_in_Lodi%2C_California.jpg)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:A%26W_restaurant_interior_in_Lodi,_California.jpg)\n\nA statue of Rooty holding a mug of root beer while sitting on a barrel\n\nA new administration took over A\\&W in the United States in 2011. Liz Bazner described it as \"criminal\" that the chain was not using the mascot and put him in charge of the Twitter account.[\\[39\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Marketing-39) A bronze statue of the bear holding a mug was erected in the lobby of the new headquarters in Lexington.[\\[40\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-40) In March 2012, A\\&W released a video showing the bear working at the building during construction, with comedic mishaps. Around this time, the name Rooty appeared and became official. In June 2012 (the de facto 93rd anniversary of A\\&W), Lexington media house uHAPS Media produced a faux news item depicting Rooty emerging from hibernation.\n\nThe earliest known use of Rooty as the mascot's name, previously just the Great Root Bear, was a Facebook post on January 30, 2012, in which A\\&W jokingly signed him up for [Skype](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Skype \"Skype\").\n\nThe resurgence formed part of a broader relaunch under the new owners.[\\[41\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Rooty2013-41) Liz Bazner, who was in charge of the tweets,[\\[42\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-42) created a running joke that Rooty had been \"hibernating\" before 2012. In January 2013, A\\&W launched a new website following a new creative marketing agreement with Cornett Integrated Marketing. Executives worked with franchisees in Asia, where the mascot remained prominent, to incorporate him into birthday parties at U.S. restaurants. Rooty also received a [Vine](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Vine_\$service\$ \"Vine (service)\") account and a [smartphone app](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Smartphone_app \"Smartphone app\"), \"Burping Rooty\". A\\&W's website featured a \"bear cam\" that \"streamed\" Rooty's daily activities.[\\[43\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-43) Rooty also featured in the first product release on [Vine](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Vine_\$service\$ \"Vine (service)\").[\\[44\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-44)\n\nIn 2013-2014, four episodes of a fictional [reality series](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Reality_series \"Reality series\") involving Rooty, *The Bear is Back*, were released on A\\&W's YouTube channel, filmed at the company's headquarters.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\]\n\nA [CGI](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Computer_animation \"Computer animation\") version of Rooty was created in 2022 with the aim of being easily rigged for animation and motion capture.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\]\n\n## Personality and role at A\\&W\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=7 \"Edit section: Personality and role at A&W\")\\]\n\nFrom the outset, Rooty was intended to be A\\&W's \"ambassador of fun\"[\\[24\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-GreatAmericanBrand-24) or \"goodwill ambassador\".[\\[9\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-RootySG1974-9) The chain suggests that Rooty embodies \"fun and nostalgia\" associated with the brand.[\\[39\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Marketing-39) He is described as \"funny\" and \"goofy\", and was seen as \"not polarizing, but lovable\".\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\] In 1992, a franchisee owner described Rooty as \"very fuzzy, very friendly and plump\".[\\[45\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-45)\n\nTwo books published in 1990 described Rooty as \"a fun-loving adventurer\" and \"a friend to children everywhere\".[\\[46\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-46)[\\[47\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-47)\n\nWhether Rooty has a family is unclear. At the entrance of the former A\\&W restaurant in [Petaling Jaya](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Petaling_Jaya \"Petaling Jaya\"), an illustration of Rooty (seen with a pentagonal hat, akin to the design used by the costume in [Malaysia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Malaysia \"Malaysia\")) appears with his supposed wife and two cubs.[\\[48\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-48) A 1987 print advertisement for the American branch's lunch boxes in that year's back-to-school season depicted Rooty and his wife behind a cub.[\\[49\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-49)\n\n### 2013 LinkedIn scandal\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=9 \"Edit section: 2013 LinkedIn scandal\")\\]\n\nIn February 2013, Rooty became the first mascot to have a [LinkedIn](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/LinkedIn \"LinkedIn\") profile.[\\[50\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-50) However, LinkedIn removed the profile after about a week on the grounds that the Rooty is not real.[\\[51\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-51) A\\&W protested the decision.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\]\n\n### Rooty pants incident\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=10 \"Edit section: Rooty pants incident\")\\]\n\nIn response to public debate over the sexiness of its Green M\\&M character, [M\\&M's](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/M%26M%27s \"M&M's\") announced in a January 23, 2023 social media post that it would \"indefinitely pause\" the use of its \"spokescandies\" characters. The next day, A\\&W issued a similarly formatted post.[\\[52\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-A&WScandal1-52)\n\n> America, let's talk. Since 1963, Rooty the Great Root Bear has been our beloved spokesbear. We knew people would notice because he's literally a 6-foot tall bear wearing an orange sweater. But now we get it — even a mascot's lack of pants can be polarizing. Therefore, we have decided that Rooty will wear jeans going forward.\n\n— A\\&W, January 24, 2023[\\[53\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-53)\n\nThough intended as a parody of the [M\\&M's](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/M%26M%27s \"M&M's\") post, A\\&W's intent was not immediately clear and some believed the pants change to be true. Segments on [Fox News](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fox_News \"Fox News\") and [Fox Business](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fox_Business \"Fox Business\") presented it as real news, with one host exclaiming \"the woke police cancel culture has gone ridiculous!\"[\\[54\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-A&WScandal2-54) A\\&W clarified that the post was a joke and that no changes were planned for Rooty's outfit.[\\[55\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-A&WScandal3-55)[\\[56\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-A&WScandal4-56)\n\n- [List of American advertising characters](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_American_advertising_characters \"List of American advertising characters\")\n- [The Burger Family](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Burger_Family \"The Burger Family\")\n\n1. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-1)**\n   [\"A\\&W célèbre l'ouverture de son 100e restaurant au Québec\"](https:\/\/www.newswire.ca\/fr\/news-releases\/aw-celebre-louverture-de-son-100e-restaurant-au-quebec-512106141.html). Newswire Canada. 3 December 2013. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20160901142435\/https:\/\/www.newswire.ca\/fr\/news-releases\/aw-celebre-louverture-de-son-100e-restaurant-au-quebec-512106141.html) from the original on 1 September 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2024.\n2. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-RootyApproach_2-0)**\n   [\"A\\&W spokes-bear Rooty discusses his approach to social media\"](https:\/\/www.nrn.com\/cmo-perspectives\/aw-spokes-bear-rooty-discusses-his-approach-social-media). Nation's Restaurant News. April 15, 2013. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20130421021539\/https:\/\/www.nrn.com\/cmo-perspectives\/aw-spokes-bear-rooty-discusses-his-approach-social-media) from the original on April 21, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2023.\n3. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-3)**\n   [\"A\\&W @ 100: Fun Facts and a Little History\"](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20221119093119\/https:\/\/awrestaurants.com\/sites\/default\/files\/A%26W%20Fun%20Facts%20%26%20History%202021.pdf) (PDF). A\\&W Restaurants. 1 February 2020. Archived from [the original](https:\/\/awrestaurants.com\/sites\/default\/files\/A%26W%20Fun%20Facts%20%26%20History%202021.pdf) (PDF) on 19 November 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2024.\n4. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-4)** Farrow, R. (2013, Mar 15). Lodi celebrates lady sadie. McClatchy - Tribune Business News\n5. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Rooty1_5-0)**\n   [\"The A & W Root Beer Bears\"](http:\/\/www.collectorsjournal.com\/columns\/the-a-w-root-beer-bears\/article_1af03ed1-f53c-512b-af92-a5560520929e.html). Collectors' Journal. April 2020. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20200413021138\/http:\/\/www.collectorsjournal.com\/columns\/the-a-w-root-beer-bears\/article_1af03ed1-f53c-512b-af92-a5560520929e.html) from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2023.\n6. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-6)**\n   [*Encyclopedia of Consumer Brands: Consumable products*](https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=r5cYAAAAIAAJ). St. James Press. 1994. [ISBN](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/ISBN_\$identifier\$ \"ISBN (identifier)\")\n   \n   [978-1-55862-336-1](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:BookSources\/978-1-55862-336-1 \"Special:BookSources\/978-1-55862-336-1\")\n   \n   . Retrieved 15 July 2024.\n7. ^ [***a***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Ottawa_7-0) [***b***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Ottawa_7-1) Barker, J. (1999, Jun 12). Canadian TV ads second to none: They might not have made a top 100 list, but ours are every bit as memorable -- and effective. jeremy barker reports.: \\[final edition\\]. The Ottawa Citizen\n8. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-8)**\n   O'Reilly, Terry (January 18, 2018). [\"How The A\\&W Root Bear Died Then Came Back to Life\"](http:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/radio\/undertheinfluence\/how-the-a-w-root-bear-died-then-came-back-to-life-1.4492502). *Under the Influence*. CBC Radio One. Pirate Radio. Retrieved January 20, 2018.\n9. ^ [***a***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-RootySG1974_9-0) [***b***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-RootySG1974_9-1)\n   [\"Page 9 Advertisements Column 1\"](https:\/\/eresources.nlb.gov.sg\/newspapers\/digitised\/article\/straitstimes19741113-1.2.46.1). *The Straits Times*. 13 November 1974. Retrieved 4 December 2023.\n10. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-10)**\n    [\"Page 9 Advertisements Column 2\"](https:\/\/eresources.nlb.gov.sg\/newspapers\/digitised\/article\/straitstimes19760911-1.2.52.2). *The Straits Times*. 11 September 1976. Retrieved 4 December 2023.\n11. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-11)**\n    [\"Page 7 Advertisements Column 3\"](https:\/\/eresources.nlb.gov.sg\/newspapers\/digitised\/article\/straitstimes19780209-1.2.51.3). *The Straits Times*. 9 February 1978. Retrieved 4 December 2023.\n12. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-12)**\n    Spector, Joseph (September 7, 2019). [\"Papa Burger gets a permanent home in New York, and he looks amazing\"](https:\/\/www.newspapers.com\/clip\/117288258\/aw-mascot-democrat-chronicle\/). *Democrat and Chronicle*. p. A11.\n13. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-13)**\n    [*Eugene Register-Guard*](https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=pvlVAAAAIBAJ&dq=%22great+root+bear%22&pg=PA32&article_id=1952,3988561). Eugene Register-Guard.\n14. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-14)** *Root Bear Coming to Town*, The Kingston Daily Freeman, 18 September 1974, page 13.\n15. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-15)** *A\\&W to feature Great Root Bear*, Kenosha News, 12 May 1975, page 21.\n16. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-16)** Madison Wisconsin State Journal, 11 July 1976, page 82.\n17. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-17)** *A\\&W's Great Root Bear To Visit In Rock Falls*, Sterling Daily Gazette, 5 June 1978, page 7.\n18. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-18)**\n    [\"A\\&W Great Root Bear to Visit Hanford\"](https:\/\/www.newspapers.com\/article\/the-hanford-sentinel-aw-great-root-bear\/137387355\/). The Hanfort Sentinel (1977) via Newspapers.com. 17 December 1977. p. 12. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20240124153358\/https:\/\/www.newspapers.com\/article\/the-hanford-sentinel-aw-great-root-bear\/137387355\/) from the original on January 24, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.\n19. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-19)** *A\\&W Root Bear in Seal Appeal*, The Vallejo Times Herald, 20 March 1976, page 5.\n20. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-20)** *A\\&W Joins Campaign*, The Colorado Springs Gazette, 14 March 1976, page 135.\n21. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-21)** The Colorado Springs Gazette, 14 March 1976, page 135.\n22. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-22)**\n    [\"Radio & Records\"](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20220922121244\/https:\/\/www.worldradiohistory.com\/Archive-All-Music\/Archive-RandR\/1970s\/1976\/RR-1976-06-25.pdf) (PDF). *World Radio History*. 25 June 1976. p. 6. Archived from [the original](https:\/\/www.worldradiohistory.com\/Archive-All-Music\/Archive-RandR\/1970s\/1976\/RR-1976-06-25.pdf) (PDF) on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2024.\n23. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-23)** Eureka Times Standard, 18 December 1977, page 20.\n24. ^ [***a***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-GreatAmericanBrand_24-0) [***b***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-GreatAmericanBrand_24-1) A Great American Brand - 90 Years of A\\&W, by Christa Bourg, 2009.\n25. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-25)**\n    [\"Page 10 Advertisements Column 1\"](https:\/\/eresources.nlb.gov.sg\/newspapers\/digitised\/article\/straitstimes19800628-1.2.49.1). *The Straits Times*. 28 June 1980. Retrieved 4 December 2023.\n26. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-26)** The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 September 1975, page 6E.\n27. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-27)** Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 9 August 1974, page 8.\n28. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-28)**\n    [*Fun and games at Bearland*](https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=4sZUAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA14). New Straits Times.\n29. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-29)**\n    [\"We Deyyy\"](https:\/\/glaringnotebook.com\/?p=205). Glaring Notebook. 28 February 2004. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20160914161012\/https:\/\/glaringnotebook.com\/?p=205) from the original on 14 September 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2024.\n30. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-30)** [Canadian Trade-Mark Data - A & W](http:\/\/strategis.gc.ca\/SSG\/0384\/trdp038440600e.html)\n31. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-31)** [Canadian Trade-Mark Data - A & W](http:\/\/strategis.gc.ca\/SSG\/0583\/trdp058362900e.html)\n32. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-32)**\n    [\"Broadcast Dialogue\"](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20210309153809\/https:\/\/www.worldradiohistory.com\/CANADA\/Broadcast-Dialogue\/Broadcast-Dialogue-2008-04.pdf) (PDF). *World Radio History*. April 2008. p. 28. Archived from [the original](https:\/\/www.worldradiohistory.com\/CANADA\/Broadcast-Dialogue\/Broadcast-Dialogue-2008-04.pdf) (PDF) on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2024.\n33. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-33)**\n    [*Billboard*](https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=RyMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT64). 16 April 1977.\n34. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-34)**\n    [\"Miles Ramsay\"](https:\/\/bcentertainmenthalloffame.com\/ramsay-miles\/). B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame. 2010. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20240718203229\/https:\/\/bcentertainmenthalloffame.com\/ramsay-miles\/) from the original on 18 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.\n35. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-35)**\n    Ryan, Joal (January 13, 1999). [\"Drew Carey's Ill-Timed Big Mac Attack\"](http:\/\/ca.eonline.com\/news\/37575\/drew-carey-s-ill-timed-big-mac-attack). *[EOnline.com](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/E! \"E!\")*. Retrieved January 13, 2013.\n    \n    Note that this source [incorrectly](http:\/\/www.thefreelibrary.com\/A%26W+Restaurants,+Inc.+Statement.-a053553935) [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20140312014423\/http:\/\/www.thefreelibrary.com\/A%26W+Restaurants,+Inc.+Statement.-a053553935) 2014-03-12 at the [Wayback Machine](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wayback_Machine \"Wayback Machine\") implies that Carey was a spokesperson for the independently-owned American A\\&W chain.\n36. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-36)** [A\\&W's Mascot Rooty is Turning 50](https:\/\/www.foodserviceandhospitality.com\/aws-mascot-rooty-is-turning-50\/)\n37. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-37)**\n    [\"\"Great Root Bears\" Calm Children\"](https:\/\/www.qsrmagazine.com\/news\/great-root-bears-calm-children\/). *QSR Magazine*. March 28, 2000. Retrieved 30 October 2024.\n38. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-38)** *New eateries aplenty in Garden City*, The Garden City Telegram, 24 January 2009, page D8.\n39. ^ [***a***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Marketing_39-0) [***b***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Marketing_39-1)\n    [\"A\\&W Franchise Marketing Made Easy - A\\&W Franchise\"](https:\/\/awfranchising.com\/research\/marketing-made-easy\/). awfranchising.com. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20231204110511\/https:\/\/awfranchising.com\/research\/marketing-made-easy\/) from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.\n40. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-40)**\n    [\"Lexington's loyal to its homegrown fast-food chains\"](https:\/\/www.kentucky.com\/news\/business\/article44377353.html). Lexington Herald-Leader. 17 September 2012. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20180428142222\/https:\/\/www.kentucky.com\/news\/business\/article44377353.html) from the original on 28 April 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2023.\n41. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Rooty2013_41-0)**\n    [\"A\\&W's mascot resurgence part of chain's bid to 'start fresh'\"](https:\/\/www.qsrweb.com\/articles\/aws-mascot-resurgence-part-of-chains-bid-to-start-fresh\/). QSRweb. April 5, 2013. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20231204111910\/https:\/\/www.qsrweb.com\/articles\/aws-mascot-resurgence-part-of-chains-bid-to-start-fresh\/) from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.\n42. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-42)**\n    [\"NRN to host Tweet chat on social media strategies\"](https:\/\/www.nrn.com\/latest-headlines\/nrn-host-tweet-chat-social-media-strategies). Nation's Restaurant News. April 12, 2013. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20130414175052\/https:\/\/www.nrn.com\/latest-headlines\/nrn-host-tweet-chat-social-media-strategies) from the original on April 14, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2023.\n43. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-43)**\n    [\"A\\&W brings back its official spokesbear, Rooty\"](https:\/\/www.kentucky.com\/news\/business\/article44418768.html). Lexington Herald-Leader. 14 April 2013. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20160126065142\/https:\/\/www.kentucky.com\/news\/business\/article44418768.html) from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2023.\n44. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-44)**\n    Corr, Amy (April 29, 2013). [\"A\\&W Restaurant's Social Media Moves: Locked Out Of LinkedIn, Rebounds With Vine\"](http:\/\/www.mediapost.com\/publications\/article\/199180\/aw-restaurants-social-media-moves-locked-out-of.html#axzz2Yf1ZSkF9). *MediaPost Publications*. Retrieved June 17, 2014.\n45. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-45)** *What do you say to a yogurt cup?*, Arlington Heights Daily Herald, 19 March 1992, p. 12\/1A\n46. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-46)** Jacquelyn Perren, *A Day at the Zoo*, 1990\n47. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-47)** Jacquelyn Perren, *A Sea Voyage*, 1990\n48. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-48)**\n    [\"Amburgers & Wootbeer\"](https:\/\/glaringnotebook.com\/?p=7263). Glaring Notebook. 10 August 2014. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20150211074633\/https:\/\/glaringnotebook.com\/?p=7263) from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2023.\n49. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-49)** Delphos Herald, 12 August 1987, p. 2\n50. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-50)**\n    [\"Lexington's loyal to its homegrown fast-food chains\"](https:\/\/www.mediapost.com\/publications\/article\/193242\/aw-root-beer-mascot-gets-own-linkedin-page.html). MediaPost Publications. 11 February 2013. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20130213171903\/https:\/\/www.mediapost.com\/publications\/article\/193242\/aw-root-beer-mascot-gets-own-linkedin-page.html) from the original on 13 February 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2023.\n51. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-51)**\n    [\"A\\&W's mascot resurgence part of chain's bid to 'start fresh'\"](https:\/\/www.qsrweb.com\/news\/aw-lobbies-for-mascots-linkedin-presence\/). QSRweb. February 25, 2013. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20231207114230\/https:\/\/www.qsrweb.com\/news\/aw-lobbies-for-mascots-linkedin-presence\/) from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.\n52. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-A&WScandal1_52-0)**\n    [\"A message from A\\&W\"](https:\/\/twitter.com\/awrestaurants\/status\/1617975902004019231). twitter.com. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20230125125812\/https:\/\/twitter.com\/awrestaurants\/status\/1617975902004019231) from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.\n53. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-53)**\n    @awrestaurants (January 24, 2023). [\"A message from A\\&W\"](https:\/\/twitter.com\/awrestaurants\/status\/1617975902004019231) ([Tweet](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tweet_\$social_media\$ \"Tweet (social media)\")) – via [Twitter](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Twitter \"Twitter\").\n54. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-A&WScandal2_54-0)**\n    [\"Fox News is now mad about the A\\&W bear parodying the M\\&M mascots\"](https:\/\/www.avclub.com\/a-w-m-ms-fox-news-rooty-the-great-root-bear-1850035144). avclub.com. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20230126175316\/https:\/\/www.avclub.com\/a-w-m-ms-fox-news-rooty-the-great-root-bear-1850035144) from the original on January 26, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.\n55. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-A&WScandal3_55-0)**\n    [\"Is now a good time to mention this is a joke? 😅\"](https:\/\/twitter.com\/awrestaurants\/status\/1618272834723418112). twitter.com. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20230125162235\/https:\/\/twitter.com\/awrestaurants\/status\/1618272834723418112) from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.\n56. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-A&WScandal4_56-0)**\n    [\"Why A\\&W put pants on its cartoon bear after M\\&M's spokescandies gaffe\"](https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/mms-spokescandies-green-mm-aw-mascot-rooty-the-bear-mascot\/). cbsnews.com. 25 January 2023. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20230125200539\/https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/mms-spokescandies-green-mm-aw-mascot-rooty-the-bear-mascot\/) from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.\n\n- [*The Mysterious Disappearance of the A\\&W Root Bear*](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tG_qfiRzous) by Dive In Canada","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Rooty the Great Root Bear A&W Restaurants character Rooty in his American version, in a statue photographed at the Iowa County, Wisconsin location in 2016 First appearance 1973 ; 53 years ago In-universe information Species Brown bear Gender Male Occupation Bear mascot for the A&W Restaurants fast food chain Rooty in his Canadian version The Great Root Bear , known since at least early 2012 as Rooty and in Quebec as Grand Ours A&W , [ 1 ] is an anthropomorphic brown bear used as the mascot (or "spokesbear" [ 2 ] ) of A&W Restaurants in the United States , Canada , and in parts of Asia . Canadian operations use a region-specific version of the character. The mascot was introduced in 1973. [ 3 ] In the United States, the mascot went out of use in the 2000s, but saw a resurgence after 2011. Rooty's appearance is nearly identical across the two branches. He is a 7-foot bipedal brown bear with a tan snout, orange hat and orange pullover sweater bearing the A&W logo. [ 4 ] [ 5 ] The Canadian version has a modified face and a brown snout. Some have compared his appearance to Yogi Bear . [ 6 ] Creation and early development [ edit ] Although often misattributed to Canada, the mascot concept originated in the United States. Until the early 1970s, the A&W's primary mascot in the United States and Canada was the Burger Family. [ citation needed ] A prototype of what later became The Great Root Bear appeared in kids' meal bags at the American chain in the early 1970s, similar to the later design. Bears were already popular then, with examples including Baloo from Disney's then-recent adaptation of The Jungle Book , Disney's acquisition of the licensing rights to Winnie-the-Pooh and the success of the Hanna-Barbera character Yogi Bear . In 1971, an A&W franchise in Oshkosh, Wisconsin , used a completely different costume for a character tentatively named "Root Bear"; in late April that year, the character awoke from hibernation and washed customers' car windows. Another proposed influence was Rooti, a panda-like bear for Canada Dry 's root beer in the 1960s. [ citation needed ] By the early 1970s, A&W was losing ground to McDonald's and KFC in both the United States and Canada. The Canadian operations were sold to Unilever in an attempt to keep the chain afloat. [ 7 ] In 1972, A&W's newly independent Canadian branch appointed Ron Woodall to develop a television commercial and a new mascot. The goal was to create a campaign that did not show food or specific eating habits. If the campaign failed, Unilever would sell the chain. [ citation needed ] Woodall sketched concepts and went to Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park , north of Vancouver , to film the first commercial and pitch the new mascot. [ citation needed ] This approach frustrated some A&W staff, as it did not depict restaurant operations, which Woodall preferred to avoid. A focus group was set up in Toronto to gather public opinions, and the results of the earlier test in Vancouver were discarded. A prototype of the first commercial was shown to a test audience and performed well enough for Unilever to proceed. With a limited budget, a commercial was shot in Alberta . Edmonton was initially considered, but rapid development led to rejecting it as a location, and nearby rural areas experienced heavy traffic. Pincher Creek was ultimately selected. For the shoot, hotels were booked past their seasonal closing; the bear was performed by a ballerina (Katherine); and characters resembling the Marx Brothers , Hulk Hogan , and Evel Knievel appeared, following the bear. [ 8 ] International adoption [ edit ] Statue of The Great Root Bear photographed at the Wittenberg, Wisconsin location in 1988 Before long, The Great Root Bear was adopted by the American A&W chain, and its restaurants in Asia. [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ] In the United States, the previous A&W mascots, the Burger Family, were phased out beginning in 1973. [ 12 ] Although, according to A&W, Rooty was "born" on June 19, 1974, earlier press materials given to franchisees claim that he was "born" in September 1973. [ 13 ] The costume, with an animated-style appearance, was designed by the same company that made costumes for Disneyland . [ 14 ] The design cost $25,000 (equivalent to $163,208.5 in 2025). [ 15 ] The Great Root Bear soon began making public appearances, including television performances, visits to hospitals and schools, and events at the chain's restaurants, especially starting in the summer season of 1974. [ 16 ] [ 17 ] [ 18 ] He also took part in activities related to the Easterseals Telethon in 1976 and 1977. [ 19 ] Restaurants handed out Great Root Bear-branded Hocus-Pocus Magic Kits during the campaign. [ 20 ] By 1976, the mascot had become successful, and merchandise such as straws featuring the bear was available. [ 21 ] [ 22 ] A hand puppet of the bear was introduced in during the 1977 Christmas season. [ 23 ] In 1978, the company's newsletter, the A&W News Dispenser , was renamed A&W News Bearer . [ 24 ] At birthday parties hosted at its restaurants, balloons were called "bearloons" and straws "bearstraws". [ 25 ] Beginning in 1975, A&W printed coupons known as "The Great Root Bear Buck" (now "Bear Bucks"), modeled after U.S. dollar notes with Rooty's face in the center. [ 26 ] Until 2012, the mascot had no official given name. In its first year of usage in the United States, a franchisee in Walla Walla named him "Rudy" in a newspaper advertisement for take-home gallons of root beer, a name similar to the current Rooty.. [ 27 ] The bear also lent his name to a playground at restaurants in Malaysia starting in 1990, Bearland. [ 28 ] By early 2004, the Bearland playground had lost most of its attractions. [ 29 ] The Great Root Bear, with a distinct design, continued to appear in television commercials for the separate Canadian chain. The Canadian chain registered its own trademark for the mascot in 1978, and on September 11, 1995, for his French name, Grand Ours A&W. [ 30 ] [ 31 ] The bear and the tuba jingle that accompanied him became a long-running campaign, created by Griffiths-Gibson of Vancouver (the tune, entitled "Ba-Dum, Ba-Dum", was released as a single in April 1977 by Attic Records , credited to "Major Ursus," a play on Ursa Major , or "great bear"). [ 32 ] [ 33 ] Composer and B.C. Hall of Fame inductee Miles Ramsay helped compose the song. [ 34 ] The jingle was performed by Vancouver jazz, classical, and session trombonist Sharman King and was often accompanied by the slogan "Follow the Great Root Bear to A&W". [ 7 ] During 1997 and 1998, Drew Carey served as a spokesperson for the chain, appearing in TV ads alongside the bear; he was dismissed (with legal action ensuing) after a November 1998 episode of The Drew Carey Show featured Carey eating at a McDonald's location in China . [ 35 ] Following the reintroduction of The Burger Family, the bear was phased out from advertising. Only in 2025 did A&W Canada started calling him officially as Rooty, in line with his 50th anniversary. A special birthday party was held at locations in Toronto and Calgary on October 18. [ 36 ] Decline and rebound [ edit ] In 2000, A&W donated 30 teddy bear versions of its mascot to the Bears on Patrol children's safety program in Oakland County, Michigan . [ 37 ] In 2009, as the bear was being downplayed nationally, the Lodi restaurant (owned by Peter Knight) registered the @awrestaurants Twitter username, which the national chain adopted within a couple of years. Some posts in spring 2009 were written in the bear's voice (then unnamed). The mascot also appeared at the opening of a new restaurant in Garden City, Kansas , in early 2009. [ 38 ] A statue of Rooty holding a mug of root beer while sitting on a barrel A new administration took over A&W in the United States in 2011. Liz Bazner described it as "criminal" that the chain was not using the mascot and put him in charge of the Twitter account. [ 39 ] A bronze statue of the bear holding a mug was erected in the lobby of the new headquarters in Lexington. [ 40 ] In March 2012, A&W released a video showing the bear working at the building during construction, with comedic mishaps. Around this time, the name Rooty appeared and became official. In June 2012 (the de facto 93rd anniversary of A&W), Lexington media house uHAPS Media produced a faux news item depicting Rooty emerging from hibernation. The earliest known use of Rooty as the mascot's name, previously just the Great Root Bear, was a Facebook post on January 30, 2012, in which A&W jokingly signed him up for Skype . The resurgence formed part of a broader relaunch under the new owners. [ 41 ] Liz Bazner, who was in charge of the tweets, [ 42 ] created a running joke that Rooty had been "hibernating" before 2012. In January 2013, A&W launched a new website following a new creative marketing agreement with Cornett Integrated Marketing. Executives worked with franchisees in Asia, where the mascot remained prominent, to incorporate him into birthday parties at U.S. restaurants. Rooty also received a Vine account and a smartphone app , "Burping Rooty". A&W's website featured a "bear cam" that "streamed" Rooty's daily activities. [ 43 ] Rooty also featured in the first product release on Vine . [ 44 ] In 2013-2014, four episodes of a fictional reality series involving Rooty, The Bear is Back , were released on A&W's YouTube channel, filmed at the company's headquarters. [ citation needed ] A CGI version of Rooty was created in 2022 with the aim of being easily rigged for animation and motion capture. [ citation needed ] Personality and role at A&W [ edit ] From the outset, Rooty was intended to be A&W's "ambassador of fun" [ 24 ] or "goodwill ambassador". [ 9 ] The chain suggests that Rooty embodies "fun and nostalgia" associated with the brand. [ 39 ] He is described as "funny" and "goofy", and was seen as "not polarizing, but lovable". [ citation needed ] In 1992, a franchisee owner described Rooty as "very fuzzy, very friendly and plump". [ 45 ] Two books published in 1990 described Rooty as "a fun-loving adventurer" and "a friend to children everywhere". [ 46 ] [ 47 ] Whether Rooty has a family is unclear. At the entrance of the former A&W restaurant in Petaling Jaya , an illustration of Rooty (seen with a pentagonal hat, akin to the design used by the costume in Malaysia ) appears with his supposed wife and two cubs. [ 48 ] A 1987 print advertisement for the American branch's lunch boxes in that year's back-to-school season depicted Rooty and his wife behind a cub. [ 49 ] 2013 LinkedIn scandal [ edit ] In February 2013, Rooty became the first mascot to have a LinkedIn profile. [ 50 ] However, LinkedIn removed the profile after about a week on the grounds that the Rooty is not real. [ 51 ] A&W protested the decision. [ citation needed ] Rooty pants incident [ edit ] In response to public debate over the sexiness of its Green M&M character, M&M's announced in a January 23, 2023 social media post that it would "indefinitely pause" the use of its "spokescandies" characters. The next day, A&W issued a similarly formatted post. [ 52 ] America, let's talk. Since 1963, Rooty the Great Root Bear has been our beloved spokesbear. We knew people would notice because he's literally a 6-foot tall bear wearing an orange sweater. But now we get it — even a mascot's lack of pants can be polarizing. Therefore, we have decided that Rooty will wear jeans going forward. — A&W, January 24, 2023 [ 53 ] Though intended as a parody of the M&M's post, A&W's intent was not immediately clear and some believed the pants change to be true. Segments on Fox News and Fox Business presented it as real news, with one host exclaiming "the woke police cancel culture has gone ridiculous!" [ 54 ] A&W clarified that the post was a joke and that no changes were planned for Rooty's outfit. [ 55 ] [ 56 ] List of American advertising characters The Burger Family ^ "A&W célèbre l'ouverture de son 100e restaurant au Québec" . Newswire Canada. 3 December 2013. Archived from the original on 1 September 2016 . Retrieved 23 June 2024 . ^ "A&W spokes-bear Rooty discusses his approach to social media" . Nation's Restaurant News. April 15, 2013. Archived from the original on April 21, 2013 . Retrieved December 6, 2023 . ^ "A&W @ 100: Fun Facts and a Little History" (PDF) . A&W Restaurants. 1 February 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 November 2022 . Retrieved 10 March 2024 . ^ Farrow, R. (2013, Mar 15). Lodi celebrates lady sadie. McClatchy - Tribune Business News ^ "The A & W Root Beer Bears" . Collectors' Journal. April 2020. Archived from the original on April 13, 2020 . Retrieved November 17, 2023 . ^ Encyclopedia of Consumer Brands: Consumable products . St. James Press. 1994. ISBN 978-1-55862-336-1 . Retrieved 15 July 2024 . ^ a b Barker, J. (1999, Jun 12). Canadian TV ads second to none: They might not have made a top 100 list, but ours are every bit as memorable -- and effective. jeremy barker reports.: [final edition]. The Ottawa Citizen ^ O'Reilly, Terry (January 18, 2018). "How The A&W Root Bear Died Then Came Back to Life" . Under the Influence . CBC Radio One. Pirate Radio . Retrieved January 20, 2018 . ^ a b "Page 9 Advertisements Column 1" . The Straits Times . 13 November 1974 . Retrieved 4 December 2023 . ^ "Page 9 Advertisements Column 2" . The Straits Times . 11 September 1976 . Retrieved 4 December 2023 . ^ "Page 7 Advertisements Column 3" . The Straits Times . 9 February 1978 . Retrieved 4 December 2023 . ^ Spector, Joseph (September 7, 2019). "Papa Burger gets a permanent home in New York, and he looks amazing" . Democrat and Chronicle . p. A11. ^ Eugene Register-Guard . Eugene Register-Guard. ^ Root Bear Coming to Town , The Kingston Daily Freeman, 18 September 1974, page 13. ^ A&W to feature Great Root Bear , Kenosha News, 12 May 1975, page 21. ^ Madison Wisconsin State Journal, 11 July 1976, page 82. ^ A&W's Great Root Bear To Visit In Rock Falls , Sterling Daily Gazette, 5 June 1978, page 7. ^ "A&W Great Root Bear to Visit Hanford" . The Hanfort Sentinel (1977) via Newspapers.com. 17 December 1977. p. 12. Archived from the original on January 24, 2024 . Retrieved January 24, 2024 . ^ A&W Root Bear in Seal Appeal , The Vallejo Times Herald, 20 March 1976, page 5. ^ A&W Joins Campaign , The Colorado Springs Gazette, 14 March 1976, page 135. ^ The Colorado Springs Gazette, 14 March 1976, page 135. ^ "Radio & Records" (PDF) . World Radio History . 25 June 1976. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 September 2022 . Retrieved 18 July 2024 . ^ Eureka Times Standard, 18 December 1977, page 20. ^ a b A Great American Brand - 90 Years of A&W, by Christa Bourg, 2009. ^ "Page 10 Advertisements Column 1" . The Straits Times . 28 June 1980 . Retrieved 4 December 2023 . ^ The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 September 1975, page 6E. ^ Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 9 August 1974, page 8. ^ Fun and games at Bearland . New Straits Times. ^ "We Deyyy" . Glaring Notebook. 28 February 2004. Archived from the original on 14 September 2016 . Retrieved 16 July 2024 . ^ Canadian Trade-Mark Data - A & W ^ Canadian Trade-Mark Data - A & W ^ "Broadcast Dialogue" (PDF) . World Radio History . April 2008. p. 28. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 March 2021 . Retrieved 18 July 2024 . ^ Billboard . 16 April 1977. ^ "Miles Ramsay" . B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame. 2010. Archived from the original on 18 July 2024 . Retrieved 18 July 2024 . ^ Ryan, Joal (January 13, 1999). "Drew Carey's Ill-Timed Big Mac Attack" . EOnline.com . Retrieved January 13, 2013 . Note that this source incorrectly Archived 2014-03-12 at the Wayback Machine implies that Carey was a spokesperson for the independently-owned American A&W chain. ^ A&W's Mascot Rooty is Turning 50 ^ " "Great Root Bears" Calm Children" . QSR Magazine . March 28, 2000 . Retrieved 30 October 2024 . ^ New eateries aplenty in Garden City , The Garden City Telegram, 24 January 2009, page D8. ^ a b "A&W Franchise Marketing Made Easy - A&W Franchise" . awfranchising.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023 . Retrieved December 4, 2023 . ^ "Lexington's loyal to its homegrown fast-food chains" . Lexington Herald-Leader. 17 September 2012. Archived from the original on 28 April 2018 . Retrieved 4 December 2023 . ^ "A&W's mascot resurgence part of chain's bid to 'start fresh' " . QSRweb. April 5, 2013. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023 . Retrieved December 4, 2023 . ^ "NRN to host Tweet chat on social media strategies" . Nation's Restaurant News. April 12, 2013. Archived from the original on April 14, 2013 . Retrieved December 6, 2023 . ^ "A&W brings back its official spokesbear, Rooty" . Lexington Herald-Leader. 14 April 2013. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016 . Retrieved 4 December 2023 . ^ Corr, Amy (April 29, 2013). "A&W Restaurant's Social Media Moves: Locked Out Of LinkedIn, Rebounds With Vine" . MediaPost Publications . Retrieved June 17, 2014 . ^ What do you say to a yogurt cup? , Arlington Heights Daily Herald, 19 March 1992, p. 12/1A ^ Jacquelyn Perren, A Day at the Zoo , 1990 ^ Jacquelyn Perren, A Sea Voyage , 1990 ^ "Amburgers & Wootbeer" . Glaring Notebook. 10 August 2014. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015 . Retrieved 6 December 2023 . ^ Delphos Herald, 12 August 1987, p. 2 ^ "Lexington's loyal to its homegrown fast-food chains" . MediaPost Publications. 11 February 2013. Archived from the original on 13 February 2013 . Retrieved 7 December 2023 . ^ "A&W's mascot resurgence part of chain's bid to 'start fresh' " . QSRweb. February 25, 2013. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023 . Retrieved December 7, 2023 . ^ "A message from A&W" . twitter.com. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023 . Retrieved August 1, 2023 . ^ @awrestaurants (January 24, 2023). "A message from A&W" ( Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ "Fox News is now mad about the A&W bear parodying the M&M mascots" . avclub.com. Archived from the original on January 26, 2023 . Retrieved August 1, 2023 . ^ "Is now a good time to mention this is a joke? 😅" . twitter.com. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023 . Retrieved August 1, 2023 . ^ "Why A&W put pants on its cartoon bear after M&M's spokescandies gaffe" . cbsnews.com. 25 January 2023. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023 . Retrieved August 1, 2023 . The Mysterious Disappearance of the A&W Root Bear by Dive In Canada
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[o]") ## Contents move to sidebar hide - [(Top)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear) - [1 Appearance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#Appearance) - [2 History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#History) Toggle History subsection - [2\.1 Creation and early development](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#Creation_and_early_development) - [2\.2 International adoption](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#International_adoption) - [2\.3 In Canada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#In_Canada) - [2\.4 Decline and rebound](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#Decline_and_rebound) - [3 Personality and role at A\&W](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#Personality_and_role_at_A&W) - [4 Controversies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#Controversies) Toggle Controversies subsection - [4\.1 2013 LinkedIn scandal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#2013_LinkedIn_scandal) - [4\.2 Rooty pants incident](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#Rooty_pants_incident) - [5 See also](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#See_also) - [6 References](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#References) - [7 External links](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#External_links) Toggle the table of contents # The Great Root Bear Add languages [Add links](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityPage/Q123746773#sitelinks-wikipedia "Add interlanguage links") - [Article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear "View the content page [c]") - [Talk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:The_Great_Root_Bear "Discuss improvements to the content page [t]") English - [Read](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear) - [Edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit "Edit this page [e]") - [View history](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=history "Past revisions of this page [h]") Tools Tools move to sidebar hide Actions - [Read](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear) - [Edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit "Edit this page [e]") - [View history](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=history) General - [What links here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:WhatLinksHere/The_Great_Root_Bear "List of all English Wikipedia pages containing links to this page [j]") - [Related changes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:RecentChangesLinked/The_Great_Root_Bear "Recent changes in pages linked from this page [k]") - [Upload file](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:File_Upload_Wizard "Upload files [u]") - [Permanent link](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&oldid=1341457463 "Permanent link to this revision of this page") - [Page information](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=info "More information about this page") - [Cite this page](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:CiteThisPage&page=The_Great_Root_Bear&id=1341457463&wpFormIdentifier=titleform "Information on how to cite this page") - [Get shortened URL](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:UrlShortener&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FThe_Great_Root_Bear) Print/export - [Download as PDF](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:DownloadAsPdf&page=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=show-download-screen "Download this page as a PDF file") - [Printable version](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&printable=yes "Printable version of this page [p]") In other projects - [Wikidata item](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityPage/Q123746773 "Structured data on this page hosted by Wikidata [g]") Appearance move to sidebar hide From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Mascot of A\&W American restaurant chain \| \| \| \|---\|---\| \| ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b4/Ambox_important.svg/40px-Ambox_important.svg.png) \| \| \| \| \| \| ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/Acap.svg/40px-Acap.svg.png) \| This article may require [copy editing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Basic_copyediting "Wikipedia:Basic copyediting") for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. You can assist by [editing it](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/The_Great_Root_Bear "Special:EditPage/The Great Root Bear"). (December 2025) ([Learn how and when to remove this message](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Maintenance_template_removal "Help:Maintenance template removal")) \| \| \| \| \| [![icon](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/60px-Question_book-new.svg.png)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Question_book-new.svg) \| This article needs additional citations for [verification](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability "Wikipedia:Verifiability"). Please help [improve this article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/The_Great_Root_Bear "Special:EditPage/The Great Root Bear") by [adding citations to reliable sources](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Referencing_for_beginners "Help:Referencing for beginners"). Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: ["The Great Root Bear"](https://www.google.com/search?as_eq=wikipedia&q=%22The+Great+Root+Bear%22) – [news](https://www.google.com/search?tbm=nws&q=%22The+Great+Root+Bear%22+-wikipedia&tbs=ar:1) · [newspapers](https://www.google.com/search?&q=%22The+Great+Root+Bear%22&tbs=bkt:s&tbm=bks) · [books](https://www.google.com/search?tbs=bks:1&q=%22The+Great+Root+Bear%22+-wikipedia) · [scholar](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=%22The+Great+Root+Bear%22) · [JSTOR](https://www.jstor.org/action/doBasicSearch?Query=%22The+Great+Root+Bear%22&acc=on&wc=on) (September 2025) ([Learn how and when to remove this message](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Maintenance_template_removal "Help:Maintenance template removal")) \| Fictional character \| Rooty the Great Root Bear \| \| \|---\|---\| \| [A\&W Restaurants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%26W_Restaurants "A&W Restaurants") character \| \| \| [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Rooty_The_Great_American_Root_Bear_Statue_-_panoramio.jpg/250px-Rooty_The_Great_American_Root_Bear_Statue_-_panoramio.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rooty_The_Great_American_Root_Bear_Statue_-_panoramio.jpg)Rooty in his American version, in a statue photographed at the [Iowa County, Wisconsin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa_County,_Wisconsin "Iowa County, Wisconsin") location in 2016 \| \| \| First appearance \| 1973; 53 years ago (1973) \| \| In-universe information \| \| \| Species \| [Brown bear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_bear "Brown bear") \| \| Gender \| Male \| \| Occupation \| Bear mascot for the [A\&W Restaurants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%26W_Restaurants "A&W Restaurants") [fast food](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_food "Fast food") chain \| [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Avenue_du_Mont-Royal_07a.JPG/250px-Avenue_du_Mont-Royal_07a.JPG)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Avenue_du_Mont-Royal_07a.JPG) Rooty in his Canadian version The Great Root Bear, known since at least early 2012 as Rooty and in [Quebec](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec "Quebec") as Grand Ours A\&W,[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-1) is an [anthropomorphic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropomorphism "Anthropomorphism") [brown bear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_bear "Brown bear") used as the [mascot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mascot "Mascot") (or "spokesbear"[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-RootyApproach-2)) of [A\&W Restaurants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%26W_Restaurants "A&W Restaurants") in the [United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%26W_Restaurants "A&W Restaurants"), [Canada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada "Canada"), and in parts of [Asia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia "Asia"). [Canadian operations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%26W_$Canada$ "A&W (Canada)") use a region-specific version of the character. The mascot was introduced in 1973.[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-3) In the United States, the mascot went out of use in the 2000s, but saw a resurgence after 2011. ## Appearance \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=1 "Edit section: Appearance")\] Rooty's appearance is nearly identical across the two branches. He is a 7-foot bipedal brown bear with a tan snout, orange hat and orange pullover sweater bearing the A\&W logo.[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-4)[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Rooty1-5) The Canadian version has a modified face and a brown snout. Some have compared his appearance to [Yogi Bear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yogi_Bear "Yogi Bear").[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-6) ## History \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=2 "Edit section: History")\] ### Creation and early development \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=3 "Edit section: Creation and early development")\] Although often misattributed to Canada, the mascot concept originated in the United States. Until the early 1970s, the A\&W's primary mascot in the United States and Canada was the Burger Family.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] A prototype of what later became The Great Root Bear appeared in kids' meal bags at the American chain in the early 1970s, similar to the later design. Bears were already popular then, with examples including [Baloo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baloo "Baloo") from [Disney's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Walt_Disney_Company "The Walt Disney Company") then-recent adaptation of [The Jungle Book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jungle_Book_$1967_film$ "The Jungle Book (1967 film)"), Disney's acquisition of the licensing rights to [Winnie-the-Pooh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnie_the_Pooh_$franchise$ "Winnie the Pooh (franchise)") and the success of the [Hanna-Barbera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanna-Barbera "Hanna-Barbera") character [Yogi Bear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yogi_Bear "Yogi Bear"). In 1971, an A\&W franchise in [Oshkosh, Wisconsin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshkosh,_Wisconsin "Oshkosh, Wisconsin"), used a completely different costume for a character tentatively named "Root Bear"; in late April that year, the character awoke from hibernation and washed customers' car windows. Another proposed influence was Rooti, a panda-like bear for [Canada Dry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_Dry "Canada Dry")'s root beer in the 1960s.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] By the early 1970s, A\&W was losing ground to [McDonald's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonald%27s "McDonald's") and [KFC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KFC "KFC") in both the United States and Canada. The Canadian operations were sold to [Unilever](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unilever "Unilever") in an attempt to keep the chain afloat.[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Ottawa-7) In 1972, A\&W's newly independent Canadian branch appointed Ron Woodall to develop a television commercial and a new mascot. The goal was to create a campaign that did not show food or specific eating habits. If the campaign failed, Unilever would sell the chain.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] Woodall sketched concepts and went to [Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smuggler_Cove_Marine_Provincial_Park "Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park"), north of [Vancouver](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver "Vancouver"), to film the first commercial and pitch the new mascot.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] This approach frustrated some A\&W staff, as it did not depict restaurant operations, which Woodall preferred to avoid. A [focus group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focus_group "Focus group") was set up in [Toronto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto "Toronto") to gather public opinions, and the results of the earlier test in Vancouver were discarded. A prototype of the first commercial was shown to a test audience and performed well enough for Unilever to proceed. With a limited budget, a commercial was shot in [Alberta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta "Alberta"). Edmonton was initially considered, but rapid development led to rejecting it as a location, and nearby rural areas experienced heavy traffic. Pincher Creek was ultimately selected. For the shoot, hotels were booked past their seasonal closing; the bear was performed by a ballerina (Katherine); and characters resembling the [Marx Brothers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marx_Brothers "Marx Brothers"), [Hulk Hogan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hulk_Hogan "Hulk Hogan"), and [Evel Knievel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evel_Knievel "Evel Knievel") appeared, following the bear.[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-8) ### International adoption \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=4 "Edit section: International adoption")\] [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/A_%26_W_Root_Beer_sign%2C_Wittenberg%2C_Wisconsin_LCCN2017709548.tif/lossy-page1-190px-A_%26_W_Root_Beer_sign%2C_Wittenberg%2C_Wisconsin_LCCN2017709548.tif.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:A_%26_W_Root_Beer_sign,_Wittenberg,_Wisconsin_LCCN2017709548.tif) Statue of The Great Root Bear photographed at the [Wittenberg, Wisconsin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wittenberg,_Wisconsin "Wittenberg, Wisconsin") location in 1988 Before long, The Great Root Bear was adopted by the American A\&W chain, and its restaurants in Asia.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-RootySG1974-9)[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-10)[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-11) In the United States, the previous A\&W mascots, the Burger Family, were phased out beginning in 1973.[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-12) Although, according to A\&W, Rooty was "born" on June 19, 1974, earlier press materials given to franchisees claim that he was "born" in September 1973.[\[13\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-13) The costume, with an animated-style appearance, was designed by the same company that made costumes for [Disneyland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disneyland "Disneyland").[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-14) The design cost \$25,000 (equivalent to \$163,208.5 in 2025).[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-15) The Great Root Bear soon began making public appearances, including television performances, visits to hospitals and schools, and events at the chain's restaurants, especially starting in the summer season of 1974.[\[16\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-16)[\[17\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-17)[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-18) He also took part in activities related to the [Easterseals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easterseals_$U.S.$ "Easterseals (U.S.)") Telethon in 1976 and 1977.[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-19) Restaurants handed out Great Root Bear-branded Hocus-Pocus Magic Kits during the campaign.[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-20) By 1976, the mascot had become successful, and merchandise such as straws featuring the bear was available.[\[21\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-21)[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-22) A hand puppet of the bear was introduced in during the 1977 Christmas season.[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-23) In 1978, the company's newsletter, the A\&W News Dispenser, was renamed A\&W News Bearer.[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-GreatAmericanBrand-24) At birthday parties hosted at its restaurants, balloons were called "bearloons" and straws "bearstraws".[\[25\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-25) Beginning in 1975, A\&W printed coupons known as "The Great Root Bear Buck" (now "Bear Bucks"), modeled after U.S. dollar notes with Rooty's face in the center.[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-26) Until 2012, the mascot had no official given name. In its first year of usage in the United States, a franchisee in [Walla Walla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walla_Walla,_Washington "Walla Walla, Washington") named him "Rudy" in a newspaper advertisement for take-home gallons of root beer, a name similar to the current Rooty..[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-27) The bear also lent his name to a playground at restaurants in Malaysia starting in 1990, Bearland.[\[28\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-28) By early 2004, the Bearland playground had lost most of its attractions.[\[29\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-29) ### In Canada \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=5 "Edit section: In Canada")\] The Great Root Bear, with a distinct design, continued to appear in television commercials for the separate Canadian chain. The Canadian chain registered its own trademark for the mascot in 1978, and on September 11, 1995, for his French name, Grand Ours A\&W.[\[30\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-30)[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-31) The bear and the tuba jingle that accompanied him became a long-running campaign, created by Griffiths-Gibson of [Vancouver](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver "Vancouver") (the tune, entitled "Ba-Dum, Ba-Dum", was released as a single in April 1977 by [Attic Records](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attic_Records_$Canada$ "Attic Records (Canada)"), credited to "Major Ursus," a play on [Ursa Major](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursa_Major "Ursa Major"), or "great bear").[\[32\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-32)[\[33\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-33) Composer and B.C. Hall of Fame inductee Miles Ramsay helped compose the song.[\[34\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-34) The jingle was performed by Vancouver jazz, classical, and session trombonist Sharman King and was often accompanied by the slogan "Follow the Great Root Bear to A\&W".[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Ottawa-7) During 1997 and 1998, [Drew Carey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drew_Carey "Drew Carey") served as a spokesperson for the chain, appearing in TV ads alongside the bear; he was dismissed (with legal action ensuing) after a November 1998 [episode](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_High_Road_to_China_$The_Drew_Carey_Show$ "The High Road to China (The Drew Carey Show)") of [The Drew Carey Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Drew_Carey_Show "The Drew Carey Show") featured Carey eating at a McDonald's location in [China](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China "China").[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-35) Following the reintroduction of The Burger Family, the bear was phased out from advertising. Only in 2025 did A\&W Canada started calling him officially as Rooty, in line with his 50th anniversary. A special birthday party was held at locations in Toronto and Calgary on October 18.[\[36\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-36) ### Decline and rebound \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=6 "Edit section: Decline and rebound")\] In 2000, A\&W donated 30 teddy bear versions of its mascot to the Bears on Patrol children's safety program in [Oakland County, Michigan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakland_County,_Michigan "Oakland County, Michigan").[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-37) In 2009, as the bear was being downplayed nationally, the [Lodi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lodi,_California "Lodi, California") restaurant (owned by Peter Knight) registered the @awrestaurants [Twitter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter "Twitter") username, which the national chain adopted within a couple of years. Some posts in spring 2009 were written in the bear's voice (then unnamed). The mascot also appeared at the opening of a new restaurant in [Garden City, Kansas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_City,_Kansas "Garden City, Kansas"), in early 2009.[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-38) [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/A%26W_restaurant_interior_in_Lodi%2C_California.jpg/250px-A%26W_restaurant_interior_in_Lodi%2C_California.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:A%26W_restaurant_interior_in_Lodi,_California.jpg) A statue of Rooty holding a mug of root beer while sitting on a barrel A new administration took over A\&W in the United States in 2011. Liz Bazner described it as "criminal" that the chain was not using the mascot and put him in charge of the Twitter account.[\[39\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Marketing-39) A bronze statue of the bear holding a mug was erected in the lobby of the new headquarters in Lexington.[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-40) In March 2012, A\&W released a video showing the bear working at the building during construction, with comedic mishaps. Around this time, the name Rooty appeared and became official. In June 2012 (the de facto 93rd anniversary of A\&W), Lexington media house uHAPS Media produced a faux news item depicting Rooty emerging from hibernation. The earliest known use of Rooty as the mascot's name, previously just the Great Root Bear, was a Facebook post on January 30, 2012, in which A\&W jokingly signed him up for [Skype](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skype "Skype"). The resurgence formed part of a broader relaunch under the new owners.[\[41\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Rooty2013-41) Liz Bazner, who was in charge of the tweets,[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-42) created a running joke that Rooty had been "hibernating" before 2012. In January 2013, A\&W launched a new website following a new creative marketing agreement with Cornett Integrated Marketing. Executives worked with franchisees in Asia, where the mascot remained prominent, to incorporate him into birthday parties at U.S. restaurants. Rooty also received a [Vine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vine_$service$ "Vine (service)") account and a [smartphone app](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone_app "Smartphone app"), "Burping Rooty". A\&W's website featured a "bear cam" that "streamed" Rooty's daily activities.[\[43\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-43) Rooty also featured in the first product release on [Vine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vine_$service$ "Vine (service)").[\[44\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-44) In 2013-2014, four episodes of a fictional [reality series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_series "Reality series") involving Rooty, The Bear is Back, were released on A\&W's YouTube channel, filmed at the company's headquarters.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] A [CGI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_animation "Computer animation") version of Rooty was created in 2022 with the aim of being easily rigged for animation and motion capture.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] ## Personality and role at A\&W \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=7 "Edit section: Personality and role at A&W")\] From the outset, Rooty was intended to be A\&W's "ambassador of fun"[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-GreatAmericanBrand-24) or "goodwill ambassador".[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-RootySG1974-9) The chain suggests that Rooty embodies "fun and nostalgia" associated with the brand.[\[39\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Marketing-39) He is described as "funny" and "goofy", and was seen as "not polarizing, but lovable".\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] In 1992, a franchisee owner described Rooty as "very fuzzy, very friendly and plump".[\[45\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-45) Two books published in 1990 described Rooty as "a fun-loving adventurer" and "a friend to children everywhere".[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-46)[\[47\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-47) Whether Rooty has a family is unclear. At the entrance of the former A\&W restaurant in [Petaling Jaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petaling_Jaya "Petaling Jaya"), an illustration of Rooty (seen with a pentagonal hat, akin to the design used by the costume in [Malaysia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysia "Malaysia")) appears with his supposed wife and two cubs.[\[48\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-48) A 1987 print advertisement for the American branch's lunch boxes in that year's back-to-school season depicted Rooty and his wife behind a cub.[\[49\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-49) ## Controversies \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=8 "Edit section: Controversies")\] ### 2013 LinkedIn scandal \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=9 "Edit section: 2013 LinkedIn scandal")\] In February 2013, Rooty became the first mascot to have a [LinkedIn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LinkedIn "LinkedIn") profile.[\[50\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-50) However, LinkedIn removed the profile after about a week on the grounds that the Rooty is not real.[\[51\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-51) A\&W protested the decision.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] ### Rooty pants incident \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=10 "Edit section: Rooty pants incident")\] In response to public debate over the sexiness of its Green M\&M character, [M\&M's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%26M%27s "M&M's") announced in a January 23, 2023 social media post that it would "indefinitely pause" the use of its "spokescandies" characters. The next day, A\&W issued a similarly formatted post.[\[52\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-A&WScandal1-52) > America, let's talk. Since 1963, Rooty the Great Root Bear has been our beloved spokesbear. We knew people would notice because he's literally a 6-foot tall bear wearing an orange sweater. But now we get it — even a mascot's lack of pants can be polarizing. Therefore, we have decided that Rooty will wear jeans going forward. — A\&W, January 24, 2023[\[53\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-53) Though intended as a parody of the [M\&M's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%26M%27s "M&M's") post, A\&W's intent was not immediately clear and some believed the pants change to be true. Segments on [Fox News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_News "Fox News") and [Fox Business](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_Business "Fox Business") presented it as real news, with one host exclaiming "the woke police cancel culture has gone ridiculous!"[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-A&WScandal2-54) A\&W clarified that the post was a joke and that no changes were planned for Rooty's outfit.[\[55\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-A&WScandal3-55)[\[56\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-A&WScandal4-56) ## See also \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=11 "Edit section: See also")\] - [List of American advertising characters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_advertising_characters "List of American advertising characters") - [The Burger Family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Burger_Family "The Burger Family") ## References \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=12 "Edit section: References")\] 1. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-1) ["A\&W célèbre l'ouverture de son 100e restaurant au Québec"](https://www.newswire.ca/fr/news-releases/aw-celebre-louverture-de-son-100e-restaurant-au-quebec-512106141.html). Newswire Canada. 3 December 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160901142435/https://www.newswire.ca/fr/news-releases/aw-celebre-louverture-de-son-100e-restaurant-au-quebec-512106141.html) from the original on 1 September 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2024. 2. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-RootyApproach_2-0) ["A\&W spokes-bear Rooty discusses his approach to social media"](https://www.nrn.com/cmo-perspectives/aw-spokes-bear-rooty-discusses-his-approach-social-media). Nation's Restaurant News. April 15, 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130421021539/https://www.nrn.com/cmo-perspectives/aw-spokes-bear-rooty-discusses-his-approach-social-media) from the original on April 21, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2023. 3. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-3) ["A\&W @ 100: Fun Facts and a Little History"](https://web.archive.org/web/20221119093119/https://awrestaurants.com/sites/default/files/A%26W%20Fun%20Facts%20%26%20History%202021.pdf) (PDF). A\&W Restaurants. 1 February 2020. Archived from [the original](https://awrestaurants.com/sites/default/files/A%26W%20Fun%20Facts%20%26%20History%202021.pdf) (PDF) on 19 November 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2024. 4. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-4) Farrow, R. (2013, Mar 15). Lodi celebrates lady sadie. McClatchy - Tribune Business News 5. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Rooty1_5-0) ["The A & W Root Beer Bears"](http://www.collectorsjournal.com/columns/the-a-w-root-beer-bears/article_1af03ed1-f53c-512b-af92-a5560520929e.html). Collectors' Journal. April 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200413021138/http://www.collectorsjournal.com/columns/the-a-w-root-beer-bears/article_1af03ed1-f53c-512b-af92-a5560520929e.html) from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2023. 6. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-6) [Encyclopedia of Consumer Brands: Consumable products](https://books.google.com/books?id=r5cYAAAAIAAJ). St. James Press. 1994. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_$identifier$ "ISBN (identifier)") [978-1-55862-336-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-55862-336-1 "Special:BookSources/978-1-55862-336-1") . Retrieved 15 July 2024. 7. ^ [*a](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Ottawa_7-0) [b](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Ottawa_7-1) Barker, J. (1999, Jun 12). Canadian TV ads second to none: They might not have made a top 100 list, but ours are every bit as memorable -- and effective. jeremy barker reports.: \[final edition\]. The Ottawa Citizen 8. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-8)* O'Reilly, Terry (January 18, 2018). ["How The A\&W Root Bear Died Then Came Back to Life"](http://www.cbc.ca/radio/undertheinfluence/how-the-a-w-root-bear-died-then-came-back-to-life-1.4492502). Under the Influence. CBC Radio One. Pirate Radio. Retrieved January 20, 2018. 9. ^ [*a](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-RootySG1974_9-0) [b](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-RootySG1974_9-1) ["Page 9 Advertisements Column 1"](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19741113-1.2.46.1). The Straits Times. 13 November 1974. Retrieved 4 December 2023. 10. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-10)* ["Page 9 Advertisements Column 2"](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19760911-1.2.52.2). The Straits Times. 11 September 1976. Retrieved 4 December 2023. 11. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-11) ["Page 7 Advertisements Column 3"](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19780209-1.2.51.3). The Straits Times. 9 February 1978. Retrieved 4 December 2023. 12. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-12) Spector, Joseph (September 7, 2019). ["Papa Burger gets a permanent home in New York, and he looks amazing"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117288258/aw-mascot-democrat-chronicle/). Democrat and Chronicle. p. A11. 13. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-13) [Eugene Register-Guard](https://books.google.com/books?id=pvlVAAAAIBAJ&dq=%22great+root+bear%22&pg=PA32&article_id=1952,3988561). Eugene Register-Guard. 14. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-14) Root Bear Coming to Town, The Kingston Daily Freeman, 18 September 1974, page 13. 15. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-15) A\&W to feature Great Root Bear, Kenosha News, 12 May 1975, page 21. 16. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-16) Madison Wisconsin State Journal, 11 July 1976, page 82. 17. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-17) A\&W's Great Root Bear To Visit In Rock Falls, Sterling Daily Gazette, 5 June 1978, page 7. 18. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-18) ["A\&W Great Root Bear to Visit Hanford"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hanford-sentinel-aw-great-root-bear/137387355/). The Hanfort Sentinel (1977) via Newspapers.com. 17 December 1977. p. 12. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240124153358/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hanford-sentinel-aw-great-root-bear/137387355/) from the original on January 24, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024. 19. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-19) A\&W Root Bear in Seal Appeal, The Vallejo Times Herald, 20 March 1976, page 5. 20. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-20) A\&W Joins Campaign, The Colorado Springs Gazette, 14 March 1976, page 135. 21. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-21) The Colorado Springs Gazette, 14 March 1976, page 135. 22. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-22) ["Radio & Records"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220922121244/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/1970s/1976/RR-1976-06-25.pdf) (PDF). World Radio History. 25 June 1976. p. 6. Archived from [the original](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/1970s/1976/RR-1976-06-25.pdf) (PDF) on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2024. 23. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-23) Eureka Times Standard, 18 December 1977, page 20. 24. ^ [*a](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-GreatAmericanBrand_24-0) [b](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-GreatAmericanBrand_24-1) A Great American Brand - 90 Years of A\&W, by Christa Bourg, 2009. 25. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-25)* ["Page 10 Advertisements Column 1"](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19800628-1.2.49.1). The Straits Times. 28 June 1980. Retrieved 4 December 2023. 26. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-26) The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 September 1975, page 6E. 27. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-27) Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 9 August 1974, page 8. 28. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-28) [Fun and games at Bearland](https://books.google.com/books?id=4sZUAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA14). New Straits Times. 29. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-29) ["We Deyyy"](https://glaringnotebook.com/?p=205). Glaring Notebook. 28 February 2004. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160914161012/https://glaringnotebook.com/?p=205) from the original on 14 September 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2024. 30. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-30) [Canadian Trade-Mark Data - A & W](http://strategis.gc.ca/SSG/0384/trdp038440600e.html) 31. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-31) [Canadian Trade-Mark Data - A & W](http://strategis.gc.ca/SSG/0583/trdp058362900e.html) 32. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-32) ["Broadcast Dialogue"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210309153809/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/Broadcast-Dialogue/Broadcast-Dialogue-2008-04.pdf) (PDF). World Radio History. April 2008. p. 28. Archived from [the original](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/Broadcast-Dialogue/Broadcast-Dialogue-2008-04.pdf) (PDF) on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2024. 33. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-33) [Billboard](https://books.google.com/books?id=RyMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT64). 16 April 1977. 34. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-34) ["Miles Ramsay"](https://bcentertainmenthalloffame.com/ramsay-miles/). B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame. 2010. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240718203229/https://bcentertainmenthalloffame.com/ramsay-miles/) from the original on 18 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024. 35. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-35) Ryan, Joal (January 13, 1999). ["Drew Carey's Ill-Timed Big Mac Attack"](http://ca.eonline.com/news/37575/drew-carey-s-ill-timed-big-mac-attack). [EOnline.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E! "E!"). Retrieved January 13, 2013. Note that this source [incorrectly](http://www.thefreelibrary.com/A%26W+Restaurants,+Inc.+Statement.-a053553935) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140312014423/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/A%26W+Restaurants,+Inc.+Statement.-a053553935) 2014-03-12 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") implies that Carey was a spokesperson for the independently-owned American A\&W chain. 36. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-36) [A\&W's Mascot Rooty is Turning 50](https://www.foodserviceandhospitality.com/aws-mascot-rooty-is-turning-50/) 37. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-37) [""Great Root Bears" Calm Children"](https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/great-root-bears-calm-children/). QSR Magazine. March 28, 2000. Retrieved 30 October 2024. 38. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-38) New eateries aplenty in Garden City, The Garden City Telegram, 24 January 2009, page D8. 39. ^ [*a](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Marketing_39-0) [b](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Marketing_39-1) ["A\&W Franchise Marketing Made Easy - A\&W Franchise"](https://awfranchising.com/research/marketing-made-easy/). awfranchising.com. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231204110511/https://awfranchising.com/research/marketing-made-easy/) from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023. 40. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-40)* ["Lexington's loyal to its homegrown fast-food chains"](https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article44377353.html). Lexington Herald-Leader. 17 September 2012. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180428142222/https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article44377353.html) from the original on 28 April 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2023. 41. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Rooty2013_41-0) ["A\&W's mascot resurgence part of chain's bid to 'start fresh'"](https://www.qsrweb.com/articles/aws-mascot-resurgence-part-of-chains-bid-to-start-fresh/). QSRweb. April 5, 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231204111910/https://www.qsrweb.com/articles/aws-mascot-resurgence-part-of-chains-bid-to-start-fresh/) from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023. 42. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-42) ["NRN to host Tweet chat on social media strategies"](https://www.nrn.com/latest-headlines/nrn-host-tweet-chat-social-media-strategies). Nation's Restaurant News. April 12, 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130414175052/https://www.nrn.com/latest-headlines/nrn-host-tweet-chat-social-media-strategies) from the original on April 14, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2023. 43. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-43) ["A\&W brings back its official spokesbear, Rooty"](https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article44418768.html). Lexington Herald-Leader. 14 April 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160126065142/https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article44418768.html) from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2023. 44. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-44) Corr, Amy (April 29, 2013). ["A\&W Restaurant's Social Media Moves: Locked Out Of LinkedIn, Rebounds With Vine"](http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/199180/aw-restaurants-social-media-moves-locked-out-of.html#axzz2Yf1ZSkF9). MediaPost Publications. Retrieved June 17, 2014. 45. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-45) What do you say to a yogurt cup?, Arlington Heights Daily Herald, 19 March 1992, p. 12/1A 46. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-46) Jacquelyn Perren, A Day at the Zoo, 1990 47. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-47) Jacquelyn Perren, A Sea Voyage, 1990 48. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-48) ["Amburgers & Wootbeer"](https://glaringnotebook.com/?p=7263). Glaring Notebook. 10 August 2014. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150211074633/https://glaringnotebook.com/?p=7263) from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2023. 49. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-49) Delphos Herald, 12 August 1987, p. 2 50. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-50) ["Lexington's loyal to its homegrown fast-food chains"](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/193242/aw-root-beer-mascot-gets-own-linkedin-page.html). MediaPost Publications. 11 February 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130213171903/https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/193242/aw-root-beer-mascot-gets-own-linkedin-page.html) from the original on 13 February 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2023. 51. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-51) ["A\&W's mascot resurgence part of chain's bid to 'start fresh'"](https://www.qsrweb.com/news/aw-lobbies-for-mascots-linkedin-presence/). QSRweb. February 25, 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231207114230/https://www.qsrweb.com/news/aw-lobbies-for-mascots-linkedin-presence/) from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023. 52. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-A&WScandal1_52-0) ["A message from A\&W"](https://twitter.com/awrestaurants/status/1617975902004019231). twitter.com. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230125125812/https://twitter.com/awrestaurants/status/1617975902004019231) from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023. 53. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-53) @awrestaurants (January 24, 2023). ["A message from A\&W"](https://twitter.com/awrestaurants/status/1617975902004019231) ([Tweet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tweet_$social_media$ "Tweet (social media)")) – via [Twitter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter "Twitter"). 54. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-A&WScandal2_54-0) ["Fox News is now mad about the A\&W bear parodying the M\&M mascots"](https://www.avclub.com/a-w-m-ms-fox-news-rooty-the-great-root-bear-1850035144). avclub.com. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230126175316/https://www.avclub.com/a-w-m-ms-fox-news-rooty-the-great-root-bear-1850035144) from the original on January 26, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023. 55. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-A&WScandal3_55-0) ["Is now a good time to mention this is a joke? 😅"](https://twitter.com/awrestaurants/status/1618272834723418112). twitter.com. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230125162235/https://twitter.com/awrestaurants/status/1618272834723418112) from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023. 56. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-A&WScandal4_56-0) ["Why A\&W put pants on its cartoon bear after M\&M's spokescandies gaffe"](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mms-spokescandies-green-mm-aw-mascot-rooty-the-bear-mascot/). cbsnews.com. 25 January 2023. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230125200539/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mms-spokescandies-green-mm-aw-mascot-rooty-the-bear-mascot/) from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023. ## External links \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=13 "Edit section: External links")\] - [The Mysterious Disappearance of the A\&W Root Bear](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tG_qfiRzous) by Dive In Canada ![](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:CentralAutoLogin/start?useformat=desktop&type=1x1&usesul3=1) Retrieved from "<https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&oldid=1341457463>" [Categories](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Category "Help:Category"): - [Corporate mascots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Corporate_mascots "Category:Corporate mascots") - [Bear mascots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Bear_mascots "Category:Bear mascots") - [American mascots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:American_mascots "Category:American mascots") - [Canadian mascots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Canadian_mascots "Category:Canadian mascots") - [Anthropomorphic bears](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Anthropomorphic_bears "Category:Anthropomorphic bears") - [Fictional bears](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Fictional_bears "Category:Fictional bears") - [Mascots introduced in 1973](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Mascots_introduced_in_1973 "Category:Mascots introduced in 1973") - [Fast food advertising characters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Fast_food_advertising_characters "Category:Fast food advertising characters") - [Male characters in advertising](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Male_characters_in_advertising "Category:Male characters in advertising") Hidden categories: - [Webarchive template wayback links](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Webarchive_template_wayback_links "Category:Webarchive template wayback links") - [Articles with short description](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Articles_with_short_description "Category:Articles with short description") - [Short description matches Wikidata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Short_description_matches_Wikidata "Category:Short description matches Wikidata") - [Wikipedia articles needing copy edit from December 2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Wikipedia_articles_needing_copy_edit_from_December_2025 "Category:Wikipedia articles needing copy edit from December 2025") - [All Wikipedia articles needing copy edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:All_Wikipedia_articles_needing_copy_edit "Category:All Wikipedia articles needing copy edit") - [Articles needing additional references from September 2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Articles_needing_additional_references_from_September_2025 "Category:Articles needing additional references from September 2025") - [All articles needing additional references](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:All_articles_needing_additional_references "Category:All articles needing additional references") - [Articles with multiple maintenance issues](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Articles_with_multiple_maintenance_issues "Category:Articles with multiple maintenance issues") - [Short description is different from Wikidata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Short_description_is_different_from_Wikidata "Category:Short description is different from Wikidata") - [All articles with unsourced statements](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:All_articles_with_unsourced_statements "Category:All articles with unsourced statements") - [Articles with unsourced statements from September 2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Articles_with_unsourced_statements_from_September_2025 "Category:Articles with unsourced statements from September 2025") - This page was last edited on 3 March 2026, at 08:36 (UTC). - Text is available under the [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_the_Creative_Commons_Attribution-ShareAlike_4.0_International_License "Wikipedia:Text of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License"); additional terms may apply. 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Readable Markdown	From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia \| Rooty the Great Root Bear \| \| \|---\|---\| \| [A\&W Restaurants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%26W_Restaurants "A&W Restaurants") character \| \| \| [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Rooty_The_Great_American_Root_Bear_Statue_-_panoramio.jpg/250px-Rooty_The_Great_American_Root_Bear_Statue_-_panoramio.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rooty_The_Great_American_Root_Bear_Statue_-_panoramio.jpg)Rooty in his American version, in a statue photographed at the [Iowa County, Wisconsin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa_County,_Wisconsin "Iowa County, Wisconsin") location in 2016 \| \| \| First appearance \| 1973; 53 years ago \| \| In-universe information \| \| \| Species \| [Brown bear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_bear "Brown bear") \| \| Gender \| Male \| \| Occupation \| Bear mascot for the [A\&W Restaurants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%26W_Restaurants "A&W Restaurants") [fast food](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_food "Fast food") chain \| [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Avenue_du_Mont-Royal_07a.JPG/250px-Avenue_du_Mont-Royal_07a.JPG)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Avenue_du_Mont-Royal_07a.JPG) Rooty in his Canadian version The Great Root Bear, known since at least early 2012 as Rooty and in [Quebec](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec "Quebec") as Grand Ours A\&W,[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-1) is an [anthropomorphic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropomorphism "Anthropomorphism") [brown bear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_bear "Brown bear") used as the [mascot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mascot "Mascot") (or "spokesbear"[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-RootyApproach-2)) of [A\&W Restaurants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%26W_Restaurants "A&W Restaurants") in the [United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%26W_Restaurants "A&W Restaurants"), [Canada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada "Canada"), and in parts of [Asia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia "Asia"). [Canadian operations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%26W_$Canada$ "A&W (Canada)") use a region-specific version of the character. The mascot was introduced in 1973.[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-3) In the United States, the mascot went out of use in the 2000s, but saw a resurgence after 2011. Rooty's appearance is nearly identical across the two branches. He is a 7-foot bipedal brown bear with a tan snout, orange hat and orange pullover sweater bearing the A\&W logo.[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-4)[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Rooty1-5) The Canadian version has a modified face and a brown snout. Some have compared his appearance to [Yogi Bear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yogi_Bear "Yogi Bear").[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-6) ### Creation and early development \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=3 "Edit section: Creation and early development")\] Although often misattributed to Canada, the mascot concept originated in the United States. Until the early 1970s, the A\&W's primary mascot in the United States and Canada was the Burger Family.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] A prototype of what later became The Great Root Bear appeared in kids' meal bags at the American chain in the early 1970s, similar to the later design. Bears were already popular then, with examples including [Baloo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baloo "Baloo") from [Disney's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Walt_Disney_Company "The Walt Disney Company") then-recent adaptation of [The Jungle Book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jungle_Book_$1967_film$ "The Jungle Book (1967 film)"), Disney's acquisition of the licensing rights to [Winnie-the-Pooh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnie_the_Pooh_$franchise$ "Winnie the Pooh (franchise)") and the success of the [Hanna-Barbera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanna-Barbera "Hanna-Barbera") character [Yogi Bear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yogi_Bear "Yogi Bear"). In 1971, an A\&W franchise in [Oshkosh, Wisconsin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshkosh,_Wisconsin "Oshkosh, Wisconsin"), used a completely different costume for a character tentatively named "Root Bear"; in late April that year, the character awoke from hibernation and washed customers' car windows. Another proposed influence was Rooti, a panda-like bear for [Canada Dry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_Dry "Canada Dry")'s root beer in the 1960s.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] By the early 1970s, A\&W was losing ground to [McDonald's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonald%27s "McDonald's") and [KFC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KFC "KFC") in both the United States and Canada. The Canadian operations were sold to [Unilever](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unilever "Unilever") in an attempt to keep the chain afloat.[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Ottawa-7) In 1972, A\&W's newly independent Canadian branch appointed Ron Woodall to develop a television commercial and a new mascot. The goal was to create a campaign that did not show food or specific eating habits. If the campaign failed, Unilever would sell the chain.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] Woodall sketched concepts and went to [Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smuggler_Cove_Marine_Provincial_Park "Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park"), north of [Vancouver](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver "Vancouver"), to film the first commercial and pitch the new mascot.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] This approach frustrated some A\&W staff, as it did not depict restaurant operations, which Woodall preferred to avoid. A [focus group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focus_group "Focus group") was set up in [Toronto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto "Toronto") to gather public opinions, and the results of the earlier test in Vancouver were discarded. A prototype of the first commercial was shown to a test audience and performed well enough for Unilever to proceed. With a limited budget, a commercial was shot in [Alberta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta "Alberta"). Edmonton was initially considered, but rapid development led to rejecting it as a location, and nearby rural areas experienced heavy traffic. Pincher Creek was ultimately selected. For the shoot, hotels were booked past their seasonal closing; the bear was performed by a ballerina (Katherine); and characters resembling the [Marx Brothers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marx_Brothers "Marx Brothers"), [Hulk Hogan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hulk_Hogan "Hulk Hogan"), and [Evel Knievel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evel_Knievel "Evel Knievel") appeared, following the bear.[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-8) ### International adoption \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=4 "Edit section: International adoption")\] [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/A_%26_W_Root_Beer_sign%2C_Wittenberg%2C_Wisconsin_LCCN2017709548.tif/lossy-page1-190px-A_%26_W_Root_Beer_sign%2C_Wittenberg%2C_Wisconsin_LCCN2017709548.tif.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:A_%26_W_Root_Beer_sign,_Wittenberg,_Wisconsin_LCCN2017709548.tif) Statue of The Great Root Bear photographed at the [Wittenberg, Wisconsin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wittenberg,_Wisconsin "Wittenberg, Wisconsin") location in 1988 Before long, The Great Root Bear was adopted by the American A\&W chain, and its restaurants in Asia.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-RootySG1974-9)[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-10)[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-11) In the United States, the previous A\&W mascots, the Burger Family, were phased out beginning in 1973.[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-12) Although, according to A\&W, Rooty was "born" on June 19, 1974, earlier press materials given to franchisees claim that he was "born" in September 1973.[\[13\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-13) The costume, with an animated-style appearance, was designed by the same company that made costumes for [Disneyland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disneyland "Disneyland").[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-14) The design cost \$25,000 (equivalent to \$163,208.5 in 2025).[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-15) The Great Root Bear soon began making public appearances, including television performances, visits to hospitals and schools, and events at the chain's restaurants, especially starting in the summer season of 1974.[\[16\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-16)[\[17\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-17)[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-18) He also took part in activities related to the [Easterseals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easterseals_$U.S.$ "Easterseals (U.S.)") Telethon in 1976 and 1977.[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-19) Restaurants handed out Great Root Bear-branded Hocus-Pocus Magic Kits during the campaign.[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-20) By 1976, the mascot had become successful, and merchandise such as straws featuring the bear was available.[\[21\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-21)[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-22) A hand puppet of the bear was introduced in during the 1977 Christmas season.[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-23) In 1978, the company's newsletter, the A\&W News Dispenser, was renamed A\&W News Bearer.[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-GreatAmericanBrand-24) At birthday parties hosted at its restaurants, balloons were called "bearloons" and straws "bearstraws".[\[25\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-25) Beginning in 1975, A\&W printed coupons known as "The Great Root Bear Buck" (now "Bear Bucks"), modeled after U.S. dollar notes with Rooty's face in the center.[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-26) Until 2012, the mascot had no official given name. In its first year of usage in the United States, a franchisee in [Walla Walla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walla_Walla,_Washington "Walla Walla, Washington") named him "Rudy" in a newspaper advertisement for take-home gallons of root beer, a name similar to the current Rooty..[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-27) The bear also lent his name to a playground at restaurants in Malaysia starting in 1990, Bearland.[\[28\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-28) By early 2004, the Bearland playground had lost most of its attractions.[\[29\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-29) The Great Root Bear, with a distinct design, continued to appear in television commercials for the separate Canadian chain. The Canadian chain registered its own trademark for the mascot in 1978, and on September 11, 1995, for his French name, Grand Ours A\&W.[\[30\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-30)[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-31) The bear and the tuba jingle that accompanied him became a long-running campaign, created by Griffiths-Gibson of [Vancouver](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver "Vancouver") (the tune, entitled "Ba-Dum, Ba-Dum", was released as a single in April 1977 by [Attic Records](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attic_Records_$Canada$ "Attic Records (Canada)"), credited to "Major Ursus," a play on [Ursa Major](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursa_Major "Ursa Major"), or "great bear").[\[32\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-32)[\[33\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-33) Composer and B.C. Hall of Fame inductee Miles Ramsay helped compose the song.[\[34\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-34) The jingle was performed by Vancouver jazz, classical, and session trombonist Sharman King and was often accompanied by the slogan "Follow the Great Root Bear to A\&W".[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Ottawa-7) During 1997 and 1998, [Drew Carey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drew_Carey "Drew Carey") served as a spokesperson for the chain, appearing in TV ads alongside the bear; he was dismissed (with legal action ensuing) after a November 1998 [episode](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_High_Road_to_China_$The_Drew_Carey_Show$ "The High Road to China (The Drew Carey Show)") of [The Drew Carey Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Drew_Carey_Show "The Drew Carey Show") featured Carey eating at a McDonald's location in [China](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China "China").[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-35) Following the reintroduction of The Burger Family, the bear was phased out from advertising. Only in 2025 did A\&W Canada started calling him officially as Rooty, in line with his 50th anniversary. A special birthday party was held at locations in Toronto and Calgary on October 18.[\[36\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-36) ### Decline and rebound \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=6 "Edit section: Decline and rebound")\] In 2000, A\&W donated 30 teddy bear versions of its mascot to the Bears on Patrol children's safety program in [Oakland County, Michigan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakland_County,_Michigan "Oakland County, Michigan").[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-37) In 2009, as the bear was being downplayed nationally, the [Lodi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lodi,_California "Lodi, California") restaurant (owned by Peter Knight) registered the @awrestaurants [Twitter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter "Twitter") username, which the national chain adopted within a couple of years. Some posts in spring 2009 were written in the bear's voice (then unnamed). The mascot also appeared at the opening of a new restaurant in [Garden City, Kansas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_City,_Kansas "Garden City, Kansas"), in early 2009.[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-38) [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/A%26W_restaurant_interior_in_Lodi%2C_California.jpg/250px-A%26W_restaurant_interior_in_Lodi%2C_California.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:A%26W_restaurant_interior_in_Lodi,_California.jpg) A statue of Rooty holding a mug of root beer while sitting on a barrel A new administration took over A\&W in the United States in 2011. Liz Bazner described it as "criminal" that the chain was not using the mascot and put him in charge of the Twitter account.[\[39\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Marketing-39) A bronze statue of the bear holding a mug was erected in the lobby of the new headquarters in Lexington.[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-40) In March 2012, A\&W released a video showing the bear working at the building during construction, with comedic mishaps. Around this time, the name Rooty appeared and became official. In June 2012 (the de facto 93rd anniversary of A\&W), Lexington media house uHAPS Media produced a faux news item depicting Rooty emerging from hibernation. The earliest known use of Rooty as the mascot's name, previously just the Great Root Bear, was a Facebook post on January 30, 2012, in which A\&W jokingly signed him up for [Skype](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skype "Skype"). The resurgence formed part of a broader relaunch under the new owners.[\[41\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Rooty2013-41) Liz Bazner, who was in charge of the tweets,[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-42) created a running joke that Rooty had been "hibernating" before 2012. In January 2013, A\&W launched a new website following a new creative marketing agreement with Cornett Integrated Marketing. Executives worked with franchisees in Asia, where the mascot remained prominent, to incorporate him into birthday parties at U.S. restaurants. Rooty also received a [Vine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vine_$service$ "Vine (service)") account and a [smartphone app](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone_app "Smartphone app"), "Burping Rooty". A\&W's website featured a "bear cam" that "streamed" Rooty's daily activities.[\[43\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-43) Rooty also featured in the first product release on [Vine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vine_$service$ "Vine (service)").[\[44\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-44) In 2013-2014, four episodes of a fictional [reality series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_series "Reality series") involving Rooty, The Bear is Back, were released on A\&W's YouTube channel, filmed at the company's headquarters.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] A [CGI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_animation "Computer animation") version of Rooty was created in 2022 with the aim of being easily rigged for animation and motion capture.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] ## Personality and role at A\&W \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=7 "Edit section: Personality and role at A&W")\] From the outset, Rooty was intended to be A\&W's "ambassador of fun"[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-GreatAmericanBrand-24) or "goodwill ambassador".[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-RootySG1974-9) The chain suggests that Rooty embodies "fun and nostalgia" associated with the brand.[\[39\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-Marketing-39) He is described as "funny" and "goofy", and was seen as "not polarizing, but lovable".\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] In 1992, a franchisee owner described Rooty as "very fuzzy, very friendly and plump".[\[45\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-45) Two books published in 1990 described Rooty as "a fun-loving adventurer" and "a friend to children everywhere".[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-46)[\[47\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-47) Whether Rooty has a family is unclear. At the entrance of the former A\&W restaurant in [Petaling Jaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petaling_Jaya "Petaling Jaya"), an illustration of Rooty (seen with a pentagonal hat, akin to the design used by the costume in [Malaysia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysia "Malaysia")) appears with his supposed wife and two cubs.[\[48\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-48) A 1987 print advertisement for the American branch's lunch boxes in that year's back-to-school season depicted Rooty and his wife behind a cub.[\[49\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-49) ### 2013 LinkedIn scandal \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=9 "Edit section: 2013 LinkedIn scandal")\] In February 2013, Rooty became the first mascot to have a [LinkedIn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LinkedIn "LinkedIn") profile.[\[50\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-50) However, LinkedIn removed the profile after about a week on the grounds that the Rooty is not real.[\[51\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-51) A\&W protested the decision.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] ### Rooty pants incident \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Root_Bear&action=edit&section=10 "Edit section: Rooty pants incident")\] In response to public debate over the sexiness of its Green M\&M character, [M\&M's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%26M%27s "M&M's") announced in a January 23, 2023 social media post that it would "indefinitely pause" the use of its "spokescandies" characters. The next day, A\&W issued a similarly formatted post.[\[52\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-A&WScandal1-52) > America, let's talk. Since 1963, Rooty the Great Root Bear has been our beloved spokesbear. We knew people would notice because he's literally a 6-foot tall bear wearing an orange sweater. But now we get it — even a mascot's lack of pants can be polarizing. Therefore, we have decided that Rooty will wear jeans going forward. — A\&W, January 24, 2023[\[53\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-53) Though intended as a parody of the [M\&M's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%26M%27s "M&M's") post, A\&W's intent was not immediately clear and some believed the pants change to be true. Segments on [Fox News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_News "Fox News") and [Fox Business](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_Business "Fox Business") presented it as real news, with one host exclaiming "the woke police cancel culture has gone ridiculous!"[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-A&WScandal2-54) A\&W clarified that the post was a joke and that no changes were planned for Rooty's outfit.[\[55\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-A&WScandal3-55)[\[56\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_note-A&WScandal4-56) - [List of American advertising characters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_advertising_characters "List of American advertising characters") - [The Burger Family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Burger_Family "The Burger Family") 1. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-1) ["A\&W célèbre l'ouverture de son 100e restaurant au Québec"](https://www.newswire.ca/fr/news-releases/aw-celebre-louverture-de-son-100e-restaurant-au-quebec-512106141.html). Newswire Canada. 3 December 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160901142435/https://www.newswire.ca/fr/news-releases/aw-celebre-louverture-de-son-100e-restaurant-au-quebec-512106141.html) from the original on 1 September 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2024. 2. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-RootyApproach_2-0) ["A\&W spokes-bear Rooty discusses his approach to social media"](https://www.nrn.com/cmo-perspectives/aw-spokes-bear-rooty-discusses-his-approach-social-media). Nation's Restaurant News. April 15, 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130421021539/https://www.nrn.com/cmo-perspectives/aw-spokes-bear-rooty-discusses-his-approach-social-media) from the original on April 21, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2023. 3. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-3) ["A\&W @ 100: Fun Facts and a Little History"](https://web.archive.org/web/20221119093119/https://awrestaurants.com/sites/default/files/A%26W%20Fun%20Facts%20%26%20History%202021.pdf) (PDF). A\&W Restaurants. 1 February 2020. Archived from [the original](https://awrestaurants.com/sites/default/files/A%26W%20Fun%20Facts%20%26%20History%202021.pdf) (PDF) on 19 November 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2024. 4. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-4) Farrow, R. (2013, Mar 15). Lodi celebrates lady sadie. McClatchy - Tribune Business News 5. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Rooty1_5-0) ["The A & W Root Beer Bears"](http://www.collectorsjournal.com/columns/the-a-w-root-beer-bears/article_1af03ed1-f53c-512b-af92-a5560520929e.html). Collectors' Journal. April 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200413021138/http://www.collectorsjournal.com/columns/the-a-w-root-beer-bears/article_1af03ed1-f53c-512b-af92-a5560520929e.html) from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2023. 6. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-6) [Encyclopedia of Consumer Brands: Consumable products](https://books.google.com/books?id=r5cYAAAAIAAJ). St. James Press. 1994. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_$identifier$ "ISBN (identifier)") [978-1-55862-336-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-55862-336-1 "Special:BookSources/978-1-55862-336-1") . Retrieved 15 July 2024. 7. ^ [*a](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Ottawa_7-0) [b](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Ottawa_7-1) Barker, J. (1999, Jun 12). Canadian TV ads second to none: They might not have made a top 100 list, but ours are every bit as memorable -- and effective. jeremy barker reports.: \[final edition\]. The Ottawa Citizen 8. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-8)* O'Reilly, Terry (January 18, 2018). ["How The A\&W Root Bear Died Then Came Back to Life"](http://www.cbc.ca/radio/undertheinfluence/how-the-a-w-root-bear-died-then-came-back-to-life-1.4492502). Under the Influence. CBC Radio One. Pirate Radio. Retrieved January 20, 2018. 9. ^ [*a](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-RootySG1974_9-0) [b](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-RootySG1974_9-1) ["Page 9 Advertisements Column 1"](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19741113-1.2.46.1). The Straits Times. 13 November 1974. Retrieved 4 December 2023. 10. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-10)* ["Page 9 Advertisements Column 2"](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19760911-1.2.52.2). The Straits Times. 11 September 1976. Retrieved 4 December 2023. 11. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-11) ["Page 7 Advertisements Column 3"](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19780209-1.2.51.3). The Straits Times. 9 February 1978. Retrieved 4 December 2023. 12. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-12) Spector, Joseph (September 7, 2019). ["Papa Burger gets a permanent home in New York, and he looks amazing"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117288258/aw-mascot-democrat-chronicle/). Democrat and Chronicle. p. A11. 13. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-13) [Eugene Register-Guard](https://books.google.com/books?id=pvlVAAAAIBAJ&dq=%22great+root+bear%22&pg=PA32&article_id=1952,3988561). Eugene Register-Guard. 14. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-14) Root Bear Coming to Town, The Kingston Daily Freeman, 18 September 1974, page 13. 15. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-15) A\&W to feature Great Root Bear, Kenosha News, 12 May 1975, page 21. 16. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-16) Madison Wisconsin State Journal, 11 July 1976, page 82. 17. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-17) A\&W's Great Root Bear To Visit In Rock Falls, Sterling Daily Gazette, 5 June 1978, page 7. 18. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-18) ["A\&W Great Root Bear to Visit Hanford"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hanford-sentinel-aw-great-root-bear/137387355/). The Hanfort Sentinel (1977) via Newspapers.com. 17 December 1977. p. 12. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240124153358/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hanford-sentinel-aw-great-root-bear/137387355/) from the original on January 24, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024. 19. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-19) A\&W Root Bear in Seal Appeal, The Vallejo Times Herald, 20 March 1976, page 5. 20. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-20) A\&W Joins Campaign, The Colorado Springs Gazette, 14 March 1976, page 135. 21. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-21) The Colorado Springs Gazette, 14 March 1976, page 135. 22. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-22) ["Radio & Records"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220922121244/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/1970s/1976/RR-1976-06-25.pdf) (PDF). World Radio History. 25 June 1976. p. 6. Archived from [the original](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/1970s/1976/RR-1976-06-25.pdf) (PDF) on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2024. 23. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-23) Eureka Times Standard, 18 December 1977, page 20. 24. ^ [*a](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-GreatAmericanBrand_24-0) [b](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-GreatAmericanBrand_24-1) A Great American Brand - 90 Years of A\&W, by Christa Bourg, 2009. 25. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-25)* ["Page 10 Advertisements Column 1"](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19800628-1.2.49.1). The Straits Times. 28 June 1980. Retrieved 4 December 2023. 26. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-26) The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 September 1975, page 6E. 27. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-27) Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 9 August 1974, page 8. 28. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-28) [Fun and games at Bearland](https://books.google.com/books?id=4sZUAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA14). New Straits Times. 29. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-29) ["We Deyyy"](https://glaringnotebook.com/?p=205). Glaring Notebook. 28 February 2004. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160914161012/https://glaringnotebook.com/?p=205) from the original on 14 September 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2024. 30. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-30) [Canadian Trade-Mark Data - A & W](http://strategis.gc.ca/SSG/0384/trdp038440600e.html) 31. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-31) [Canadian Trade-Mark Data - A & W](http://strategis.gc.ca/SSG/0583/trdp058362900e.html) 32. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-32) ["Broadcast Dialogue"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210309153809/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/Broadcast-Dialogue/Broadcast-Dialogue-2008-04.pdf) (PDF). World Radio History. April 2008. p. 28. Archived from [the original](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/Broadcast-Dialogue/Broadcast-Dialogue-2008-04.pdf) (PDF) on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2024. 33. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-33) [Billboard](https://books.google.com/books?id=RyMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT64). 16 April 1977. 34. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-34) ["Miles Ramsay"](https://bcentertainmenthalloffame.com/ramsay-miles/). B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame. 2010. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240718203229/https://bcentertainmenthalloffame.com/ramsay-miles/) from the original on 18 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024. 35. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-35) Ryan, Joal (January 13, 1999). ["Drew Carey's Ill-Timed Big Mac Attack"](http://ca.eonline.com/news/37575/drew-carey-s-ill-timed-big-mac-attack). [EOnline.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E! "E!"). Retrieved January 13, 2013. Note that this source [incorrectly](http://www.thefreelibrary.com/A%26W+Restaurants,+Inc.+Statement.-a053553935) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140312014423/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/A%26W+Restaurants,+Inc.+Statement.-a053553935) 2014-03-12 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") implies that Carey was a spokesperson for the independently-owned American A\&W chain. 36. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-36) [A\&W's Mascot Rooty is Turning 50](https://www.foodserviceandhospitality.com/aws-mascot-rooty-is-turning-50/) 37. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-37) [""Great Root Bears" Calm Children"](https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/great-root-bears-calm-children/). QSR Magazine. March 28, 2000. Retrieved 30 October 2024. 38. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-38) New eateries aplenty in Garden City, The Garden City Telegram, 24 January 2009, page D8. 39. ^ [*a](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Marketing_39-0) [b](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Marketing_39-1) ["A\&W Franchise Marketing Made Easy - A\&W Franchise"](https://awfranchising.com/research/marketing-made-easy/). awfranchising.com. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231204110511/https://awfranchising.com/research/marketing-made-easy/) from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023. 40. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-40)* ["Lexington's loyal to its homegrown fast-food chains"](https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article44377353.html). Lexington Herald-Leader. 17 September 2012. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180428142222/https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article44377353.html) from the original on 28 April 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2023. 41. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-Rooty2013_41-0) ["A\&W's mascot resurgence part of chain's bid to 'start fresh'"](https://www.qsrweb.com/articles/aws-mascot-resurgence-part-of-chains-bid-to-start-fresh/). QSRweb. April 5, 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231204111910/https://www.qsrweb.com/articles/aws-mascot-resurgence-part-of-chains-bid-to-start-fresh/) from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023. 42. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-42) ["NRN to host Tweet chat on social media strategies"](https://www.nrn.com/latest-headlines/nrn-host-tweet-chat-social-media-strategies). Nation's Restaurant News. April 12, 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130414175052/https://www.nrn.com/latest-headlines/nrn-host-tweet-chat-social-media-strategies) from the original on April 14, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2023. 43. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-43) ["A\&W brings back its official spokesbear, Rooty"](https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article44418768.html). Lexington Herald-Leader. 14 April 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160126065142/https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article44418768.html) from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2023. 44. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-44) Corr, Amy (April 29, 2013). ["A\&W Restaurant's Social Media Moves: Locked Out Of LinkedIn, Rebounds With Vine"](http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/199180/aw-restaurants-social-media-moves-locked-out-of.html#axzz2Yf1ZSkF9). MediaPost Publications. Retrieved June 17, 2014. 45. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-45) What do you say to a yogurt cup?, Arlington Heights Daily Herald, 19 March 1992, p. 12/1A 46. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-46) Jacquelyn Perren, A Day at the Zoo, 1990 47. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-47) Jacquelyn Perren, A Sea Voyage, 1990 48. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-48) ["Amburgers & Wootbeer"](https://glaringnotebook.com/?p=7263). Glaring Notebook. 10 August 2014. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150211074633/https://glaringnotebook.com/?p=7263) from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2023. 49. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-49) Delphos Herald, 12 August 1987, p. 2 50. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-50) ["Lexington's loyal to its homegrown fast-food chains"](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/193242/aw-root-beer-mascot-gets-own-linkedin-page.html). MediaPost Publications. 11 February 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130213171903/https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/193242/aw-root-beer-mascot-gets-own-linkedin-page.html) from the original on 13 February 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2023. 51. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-51) ["A\&W's mascot resurgence part of chain's bid to 'start fresh'"](https://www.qsrweb.com/news/aw-lobbies-for-mascots-linkedin-presence/). QSRweb. February 25, 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231207114230/https://www.qsrweb.com/news/aw-lobbies-for-mascots-linkedin-presence/) from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023. 52. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-A&WScandal1_52-0) ["A message from A\&W"](https://twitter.com/awrestaurants/status/1617975902004019231). twitter.com. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230125125812/https://twitter.com/awrestaurants/status/1617975902004019231) from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023. 53. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-53) @awrestaurants (January 24, 2023). ["A message from A\&W"](https://twitter.com/awrestaurants/status/1617975902004019231) ([Tweet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tweet_$social_media$ "Tweet (social media)")) – via [Twitter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter "Twitter"). 54. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-A&WScandal2_54-0) ["Fox News is now mad about the A\&W bear parodying the M\&M mascots"](https://www.avclub.com/a-w-m-ms-fox-news-rooty-the-great-root-bear-1850035144). avclub.com. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230126175316/https://www.avclub.com/a-w-m-ms-fox-news-rooty-the-great-root-bear-1850035144) from the original on January 26, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023. 55. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-A&WScandal3_55-0) ["Is now a good time to mention this is a joke? 😅"](https://twitter.com/awrestaurants/status/1618272834723418112). twitter.com. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230125162235/https://twitter.com/awrestaurants/status/1618272834723418112) from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023. 56. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Root_Bear#cite_ref-A&WScandal4_56-0) ["Why A\&W put pants on its cartoon bear after M\&M's spokescandies gaffe"](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mms-spokescandies-green-mm-aw-mascot-rooty-the-bear-mascot/). cbsnews.com. 25 January 2023. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230125200539/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mms-spokescandies-green-mm-aw-mascot-rooty-the-bear-mascot/) from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023. - [The Mysterious Disappearance of the A\&W Root Bear](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tG_qfiRzous) by Dive In Canada
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