Arby's

Founding and early expansion

Arby's was founded on July 23, 1964, in Boardman Township, Ohio, by brothers Forrest and Leroy Raffel. The Raffels, who owned a restaurant equipment business, identified a market opportunity for a fast food franchise not centred on hamburgers. Their initial concept was to call the chain "Big Tex," but after finding that name already in use, they settled on Arby's, a phonetic play on "R.B." for Raffel Brothers. The first restaurant opened that same day, offering a limited menu of roast beef sandwiches, potato chips, and soft drinks at a premium price point of 69 cents, significantly higher than the contemporary 15-cent hamburger. The founders aimed for a more upscale clientele, reflected in interior designs that were more luxurious than typical fast food stands of the era. Early signage, designed by the Peskin Sign Co, featured a neon cowboy hat and the phrase "Arby's roast beef sandwich is delicious."

Throughout the 1970s, the chain grew at a rate of approximately 50 stores per year. This period saw the introduction of several enduring menu items that would become brand staples, including the Beef 'n Cheddar sandwich, Jamocha shakes, chicken sandwiches, and curly fries. The chain also debuted its two signature condiments, Arby's Sauce and Horsey Sauce, during this time. Despite this growth, the family-owned business faced financial challenges, attempting an initial public offering in 1970 that was scuttled by a falling stock market. The company filed for reorganization in United States bankruptcy court in February 1971, citing debts from expansion, a national recession, and its relatively high price point.

Ownership changes and corporate evolution

In 1976, the Raffel family sold Arby's to the Royal Crown Cola Company (RC Cola) for $18 million, with Leroy Raffel remaining as chief executive officer for three more years. A significant shift occurred in 1984 when financier Victor Posner acquired Arby's through a hostile takeover of Royal Crown via his DWG Corporation. Nearly a decade later, under new ownership and the renamed Triarc Companies, former PepsiCo executive Don Pierce was hired to revitalize the brand. Pierce's strategy involved a $100 million investment and a new "Roast Town" concept in 1996, which was similar in format to Boston Market but performed poorly in market tests and was quickly discontinued. Following this, the company sold all 354 of its corporate-owned locations to franchisee RTM Restaurant Group in 1996.

Further corporate restructuring took place in 2008 when Triarc purchased the Wendy's chain, forming the Wendy's/Arby's Group. This union was short-lived, as the group announced in January 2011 its intention to sell the Arby's side to focus on Wendy's. By June 2011, a deal was finalized where the private equity firm Roark Capital Group acquired an 81.5 percent majority stake in Arby's Restaurant Group, with The Wendy's Company retaining an 18.5 percent minority share. This sale occurred while Arby's was experiencing operating losses and franchisee payment issues, prompting Roark to implement a turnaround plan focusing on closing underperforming stores, revising marketing, and introducing new products. The strategy proved successful, enabling the company to issue $300 million in dividends by 2015.

A major transformation occurred in November 2017 when Arby's parent company negotiated the $2.4 billion acquisition of the Buffalo Wild Wings chain. This acquisition led to the parent company being renamed Inspire Brands, with Arby's as its flagship property. The Wendy's Company sold its remaining minority stake back to Inspire Brands in August 2018 for $450 million. Inspire Brands has since grown into a large portfolio of restaurant chains, but Arby's remains a core brand within its holdings.

Menu development and signature products

Roast beef sandwiches remain the central and defining product of the Arby's brand, but the menu has diversified considerably since its founding. In 1991, Arby's became the first major fast food chain to offer a complete "lite" menu featuring items under 300 calories. The early 2000s brought a significant expansion with the "Market Fresh" line of deli-style sandwiches, which included varieties like roast turkey and Swiss and a chicken Caesar, served on artisan bread. This line was later expanded to include sandwiches on baguettes, such as the Italian Beef 'n Provolone and French Dip 'n Swiss.

Product innovation has been a consistent theme for the chain. Arby's introduced Toasted Subs on ciabatta rolls in 2007 and added gyros to the menu as a limited-time offering in 2014, which became a permanent fixture by April 2016 due to popularity. The chain has also gained attention for introducing unique and limited-time meat offerings. In 2016, it tested a venison sandwich in select deer-hunting states, which sold out rapidly and led to a nationwide limited release in 2017. Similarly, the chain has offered elk and duck sandwiches in specific markets. Other notable launches include the Smokehouse Brisket sandwich in 2013, a line of Sliders starting in 2015, and new chicken cheesesteak items announced for 2026.

Beverage partnerships have also shifted over the years. After signing an exclusive contract with Pepsi in early 2006, Arby's switched back to Coca-Cola in 2018, marking the end of an nearly 11-year association with Pepsi. The transition was promoted with marketing stunts that set two Guinness World Records for the world's smallest advertisement and the largest advertising poster. Some locations, particularly those in truck stops operated by partners like Pilot Flying J, also serve breakfast items, but this is not a standard offering across all restaurants.

Presence in Canada and international markets

Arby's expanded into Canada in the early 1990s, with locations opening in provinces including Ontario, Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. A significant milestone was reached in 1992 when Les Franchises P.R.A.G. Inc. opened the first Arby's franchise in the province of Quebec, which was also the 100th location in Canada. This Quebec location notably sold poutine, adapting the menu to local tastes. The Canadian presence is part of the brand's broader international footprint, which as of 2026 includes restaurants in seven countries outside the United States.

Global expansion has followed various models and met with mixed success. More sustained growth has occurred in the Middle East and North Africa through franchise agreements. A deal with the Al Jammaz Group of Saudi Arabia was signed in 2009, leading to dual-branded Wendy's/Arby's openings. Arby's later announced an exclusive development agreement with Shahia Foods Limited Company to enter Saudi Arabia in 2022, marking its largest Middle East expansion to date. Other international openings include restaurants in Egypt in 2018, a return to Kuwait in 2017, and ongoing operations in Costa Rica, Mexico, South Korea, and Turkey. The chain also serves American military personnel at bases in the United States, overseas, and in Japan.

Franchising and business model

Arby's operates primarily through a franchised business model, with Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc. acting as the franchisor. The requirements for prospective franchisees as of 2026 include a net worth of at least $1,000,000 and liquid cash of $500,000, with total initial investments estimated to range from approximately $314,550 to $1,844,200. The company has historically managed relationships with large franchisee groups, such as RTM Restaurant Group, and has at times repurchased franchise operations, as it did with Sybra Inc. in 2002 and RTM in 2005, to maintain control over its system. This cycle of corporate-owned and franchised stores has been a feature of the brand's operational history.

The franchise system has not been without legal and operational challenges. In 2002, the advocacy group Access Now filed a lawsuit alleging that hundreds of RTM-owned stores were not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. A settlement was reached in 2006, requiring the retrofitting of approximately 100 stores per year at an estimated cost of $1.2 million annually. Furthermore, in early 2017, Arby's investigated a malware attack on point-of-sale systems at corporate-owned restaurants, which compromised customer payment card data between October 2016 and January 2017. The incident led to lawsuits from several financial institutions but was contained to corporate locations, not those owned by franchisees.

Marketing and brand identity

Arby's marketing has evolved significantly over the decades, with a notable shift in the 2010s towards a clear, meat-centric identity. Since 2014, actor Ving Rhames has served as the distinctive narrator for the brand's television commercials, lending a recognizable voice to its campaigns. The chain's longstanding slogan, "Arby's, We Have The Meats!" succinctly communicates its product focus. This branding emphasis on quality meats was a deliberate strategic move in the early 2000s to differentiate Arby's from competitors and capitalize on growing consumer interest in premium ingredients.

Promotional activities have often been designed to generate media attention and customer engagement. The switch from Pepsi to Coca-Cola in 2018 was accompanied by a campaign that set Guinness World Records for both the world's smallest advertisement, printed on a sesame seed, and the largest advertising poster, covering five acres in Monowi, Nebraska. The chain has also leveraged social media and curiosity around its innovative limited-time offerings, such as the venison and elk sandwiches, to drive traffic and national news coverage. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to maintain relevance and attract customers in a highly competitive fast food market.

Recent trends and 2026 status

As of August 2026, Arby's operates 3,206 restaurant locations worldwide, reflecting a decrease from the 3,472 locations reported in 2019. This contraction aligns with broader industry challenges noted in recent years, including changing consumer habits, rising operational costs, and intense competition. Despite this, the brand remains active in menu innovation and market expansion. New product launches, such as a chicken cheesesteak line introduced in October 2026, indicate a continued focus on meat-based sandwiches and flavour variations. The company also maintains its development agreements in key international markets like Saudi Arabia.

The brand's parent company is Inspire Brands. Inspire Brands is the flagship property of Arby's. The chain has experienced a reduction in physical locations, with 3,206 restaurants as of August 2026. Arby's was founded on July 23, 1964, giving it over six decades of operation. The chain is best known for selling roast beef sandwiches. It has adapted its menu over time with items like gyros and chicken sandwiches. The company's ownership structure has changed, including being acquired by Roark Capital Group.

Questions about Arby's

Who owns Arby's?

Arby's is owned by Inspire Brands, a major restaurant holding company. Inspire Brands was formed in November 2017 when Arby's Restaurant Group acquired Buffalo Wild Wings and changed its name. Prior to this, a majority stake in Arby's was purchased by the private equity firm Roark Capital Group in 2011. The Wendy's Company held a minority stake until it was sold back to Inspire in August 2018.

What is Arby's known for?

Arby's is best known for selling roast beef sandwiches. The chain is also known for other menu items like gyros, wraps, chicken sandwiches, and milkshakes. It is known for signature items such as the Beef 'n Cheddar, Jamocha Shakes, and curly fries. The chain also offers signature sauces called Arby's Sauce and Horsey Sauce.

Are there Arby's restaurants in Canada?

Yes, Arby's has a presence in Canada. The first franchises opened in the early 1990s across several provinces including Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. The 100th Canadian location opened in Quebec in 1992, which notably adapted its menu to include the French-Canadian dish poutine. Canadian locations are part of the brand's international franchise operations.

What was Arby's original concept?

Arby's was founded on July 23, 1964, by brothers Forrest and Leroy Raffel. They wanted a fast food franchise based on a dish other than hamburgers. The first restaurant opened in Boardman, Ohio. It initially served only roast beef sandwiches, potato chips, and soft drinks. The interior design was intentionally more luxurious than typical fast-food stands. The roast beef sandwiches were offered for 69 cents when hamburgers cost 15 cents.

What are Arby's Sliders?

Arby's Sliders are a line of small sandwiches introduced in August 2015, with initial prices starting around $1.29. They include varieties like roast beef and turkey, and were created to offer a lower-cost, snackable option. The Sliders were a successful product launch, leading to a significant increase in sales and earning the chain a MenuMasters Award from Nation's Restaurant News in 2016. They have since become a recurring or permanent part of the menu.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Novello Desserts desk. Last updated 2026-10-19.