Q&A on the News

By Andy Johnston

For the AJC

Q: A Varsity drive-in restaurant recently opened in Dawsonville. Are there any plans to open more Varsity restaurants in Georgia? Also, is the Varsity in Dawsonville meeting sales expectations?

-- William McKee Jr., Flowery Branch

A: The Varsity won a bid for one of the coveted restaurant spots at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and will open at that location “before summer,” George Fejokwu, a shift manager at the Varsity on North Avenue in downtown Atlanta, told Q&A on the News. The Varsity Jr. opened in Dawsonville on May 9, 2011. “The community has welcomed us with open arms. It’s been great,” general manager Steve Holder told Q&A on the News. He didn’t give specific sales figures. There are other Varsity locations in Alpharetta, Athens, Kennesaw and Norcross.

Q: What is the latest status of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the American soldier captured by the Taliban in June 2009?

-- John Williams, Decatur

A: Talks broke down between the U.S. and the Afghan Taliban in Qatar last weekend, MSNBC.com reported. The U.S. wanted a cease-fire before proceeding in negotiations for a prisoner swap for Bergdahl, but it wasn’t accepted by the Taliban, according to the report. Bergdahl was captured on June 30, 2009. A Taliban informant told Newsweek that he saw Bergdahl in North Waziristan, on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and again in Afghanistan’s Shawal Valley, in 2011.

Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).