Arby's
American quick-service restaurant brand best known for roast beef sandwiches and meat-focused menu offerings.
Last updated October 18, 2026
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Overview
Arby's is an American quick-service restaurant chain focused on sandwiches, particularly roast beef sandwiches. It was founded in Boardman Township, Ohio, on July 23, 1964, by brothers Forrest and Leroy Raffel, who operated a restaurant-equipment business and believed there was room for a fast-food concept built around a product other than the hamburger. The name Arby's is commonly explained as a phonetic rendering of “R.B.,” referring to the Raffel brothers. The founders initially considered the name Big Tex, but that name was already in use by another business. The first restaurant opened with a deliberately more polished interior than many contemporary fast-food outlets. Its initial menu was narrow: roast beef sandwiches, potato chips, and soft drinks. The chain positioned its roast beef sandwich at a higher price than a standard hamburger, emphasizing portion, preparation, and a distinctive product identity rather than competing solely on low price. Early restaurants used a recognizable cowboy-hat-shaped neon sign, which helped make the brand visually distinctive. Arby's expanded rapidly during the 1970s, adding products that became central to its identity, including Beef 'n Cheddar sandwiches, Jamocha Shakes, chicken sandwiches, curly fries, Arby's Sauce, and Horsey Sauce. It subsequently broadened its menu with baked potatoes, Market Fresh sandwiches, deli-style offerings, gyros, wraps, salads, sliders, brisket, Reuben sandwiches, and other limited-time products. Although roast beef remains the brand's signature, its modern menu is broader and is marketed around variety within a meat-oriented sandwich concept. The company experienced significant financial and ownership changes. An attempted public offering in 1970 did not proceed, and Arby's entered reorganization proceedings in 1971 amid expansion-related debt, recessionary conditions, and a price position that was relatively high for the period. The Raffel family sold the company to RC Cola in 1976. Later ownership passed through Royal Crown and DWG Corporation, which subsequently became Triarc Companies. During the 1990s, management tested new formats, including a Boston Market-style Roast Town concept and a dual-brand venture with ZuZu's Handmade Mexican Grill; neither became a durable part of the business. Arby's later consolidated its restaurant system through acquisitions of franchise operators. It acquired Sybra's restaurants in 2002 and purchased RTM Restaurant Group in 2005. The brand became part of Wendy's/Arby's Group after Triarc acquired Wendy's in 2008, but the two restaurant businesses were separated in 2011. Roark Capital acquired a majority stake in Arby's Restaurant Group in 2011, while The Wendy's Company retained a minority interest. Under the new ownership, the brand pursued a turnaround involving underperforming-unit closures, revised marketing, and frequent product introductions. Wendy's ultimately sold its remaining Arby's interest to Inspire Brands in 2018. Arby's became the foundation of Inspire Brands after the parent company agreed to acquire Buffalo Wild Wings in 2017 and adopted the Inspire Brands name. Inspire now groups Arby's with other restaurant concepts, while Arby's continues to operate through a combination of company and franchised restaurants. Its international presence has included markets in North America, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, with country-specific franchise partners. The brand's current positioning centers on distinctive meat sandwiches, indulgent sides and beverages, accessible limited-time offers, and humorous or highly differentiated advertising.
History
Arby's began in 1964 when Forrest and Leroy Raffel opened a roast-beef-focused restaurant in Boardman Township, Ohio. The brothers came from the restaurant-equipment business and sought to create a franchise concept distinct from the hamburger chains dominating American fast food. The first location offered roast beef sandwiches, chips, and soft drinks, and used a more substantial interior and higher price point than many competing outlets. The cowboy-hat sign became an enduring visual marker of the chain. Expansion accelerated during the 1970s, when Arby's added Beef 'n Cheddar, Jamocha Shakes, chicken sandwiches, curly fries, and its two signature sauces. The company attempted to become publicly traded in 1970, but the offering was abandoned after market conditions deteriorated. Arby's entered bankruptcy reorganization in February 1971, with expansion debt, recessionary pressure, and its premium pricing contributing to the difficulties. In 1976, the Raffel family sold the company to RC Cola; Leroy Raffel remained chief executive until 1979. Ownership subsequently changed through Royal Crown and DWG Corporation. During the 1990s, Triarc Companies attempted to revitalize the brand with additional investment and new formats. A Roast Town restaurant concept modeled partly on Boston Market performed poorly in market testing and was discontinued. A dual-brand project with ZuZu's Handmade Mexican Grill also failed and generated litigation between the parties. Triarc later reorganized the business by selling company-owned restaurants to RTM Restaurant Group, an established Arby's franchisee. Arby's rebuilt its restaurant system through acquisitions. In 2002 it purchased Sybra's restaurants after that franchisee entered bankruptcy, and in 2005 it acquired RTM. Triarc's 2008 purchase of Wendy's created Wendy's/Arby's Group, but the combined company concluded that the two brands should be separated. The split was announced in January 2011. In June 2011, Roark Capital agreed to buy most of Arby's while Wendy's maintained a minority holding. The post-2011 turnaround emphasized closing weak units, changing advertising, and introducing products regularly. Arby's expanded its menu with Market Fresh sandwiches, toasted subs, brisket, gyros, sliders, meatball sandwiches, and other limited-time offerings. The brand also used unusual promotional tactics, including campaigns connected with its 2018 Coca-Cola transition. In 2017, Arby's parent agreed to acquire Buffalo Wild Wings for cash. Following that transaction, the parent was renamed Inspire Brands, making Arby's the platform's foundational restaurant concept. International franchising has been uneven. Arby's entered Canada in the early 1990s and has operated or announced development in several other countries. Earlier attempts in the United Kingdom closed, while later expansion included Kuwait, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. The brand also entered American military-base food service through an agreement with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service. Arby's remains an active, primarily franchised American restaurant brand within the privately held Inspire Brands portfolio.
- 2018
Coca-Cola systemwide transition completed
[1]Restaurants completed the transition to Coca-Cola beverages following the new supplier agreement announced in 2017.
- 2017
Buffalo Wild Wings acquisition announced
[1]Arby's parent announced the acquisition of Buffalo Wild Wings, after which the parent adopted the Inspire Brands name.
- 2011
Roark Capital became majority owner
[1]Roark acquired most of Arby's from Wendy's/Arby's Group, while Wendy's retained a minority interest.
- 2005
RTM Restaurant Group acquired
[1]Arby's purchased RTM, consolidating a major portion of its franchise restaurant system.
- 2002
Sybra restaurant acquisition
[1]Arby's acquired 293 restaurants from the bankrupt franchisee Sybra.
- 1976
Raffel family sold Arby's to RC Cola
[1]RC Cola acquired the chain, with Leroy Raffel continuing as chief executive for several more years.
- 1971
Reorganization proceedings
[1]Arby's filed for reorganization after expansion debt and difficult economic conditions placed pressure on the business.
- 1964
First Arby's restaurant opened
[1]Forrest and Leroy Raffel opened the first Arby's restaurant in Boardman Township, Ohio, beginning with roast beef sandwiches, chips, and soft drinks.
Products and positioning
Mid-market quick-service restaurant brand differentiated by roast beef, meat-focused sandwiches, indulgent sides, and distinctive promotional marketing.
Sandwich · 1964
Classic Roast Beef
Arby's core sandwich consists of sliced roast beef served in a soft roll. It is the product most closely associated with the brand and has anchored its menu since the first restaurant opened.
Sandwich · 1970
Beef 'n Cheddar
A signature variation on the roast-beef platform, pairing sliced beef with cheddar cheese sauce and a distinctive onion-style roll. It became one of Arby's best-known menu items during the chain's early expansion.
Side · 1988
Curly Fries
Spiral-cut seasoned fries that function as one of Arby's most recognizable side dishes. The product was initially presented as Curly-Q Fries before becoming known as Curly Fries.
Sandwich · 1996
Market Fresh sandwiches
A deli-style range that broadened Arby's menu beyond roast beef. Variations have included turkey, ham, chicken, bacon, Swiss cheese, and salad-oriented combinations served with fresh-style toppings.
Beverage · 1970
Jamocha Shake
A coffee-and-chocolate flavored shake and a long-running part of Arby's beverage identity. It complements the chain's sandwich and fries menu with a sweet, dessert-like offering.
Sandwich · 2015
Sliders
Small-format sandwiches introduced nationally in 2015. The range enabled lower-priced trial and snacking occasions and was associated with increased traffic and recognition in restaurant-industry menu awards.
Sandwich · 2014
Gyros
A non-roast-beef sandwich line using gyro-style meat and toppings. Gyros appeared earlier as a limited offering and returned in 2014 before becoming a permanent menu fixture in 2016.
Sandwich · 2013
Smokehouse Brisket
A smoked-brisket sandwich introduced as part of Arby's effort to emphasize a broader range of meat-based products and reinforce its positioning beyond conventional roast beef.
Controversies
2019
Arby's apologizes over restaurant sign
In November 2019, Arby's apologized after a Minnesota mother posted about a sign at a local restaurant stating that only well-behaved children were welcome. The company said the language was insensitive, that it removed the sign quickly, and that it disciplined the manager and team working at the restaurant.
2017
Corporate point-of-sale malware incident
Arby's investigated malware placed on payment systems at corporate-owned restaurants. The reported activity affected systems from October 25, 2016, through January 19, 2017, and banks and credit unions filed suits concerning the incident.
Marketing campaigns
- 2018Coca-Cola record-setting advertising promotion
United States
To publicize its switch to Coca-Cola beverages, Arby's promoted two Guinness World Records: a tiny advertisement printed on a sesame seed and a very large advertising poster installed in Monowi, Nebraska.
Outcome. The promotion generated a distinctive publicity event around the beverage-supplier change.
- 2015Sliders value and daypart promotion
United States
Arby's promoted its new small sandwiches as affordable, flexible items and later paired them with reduced-price drinks and sides during the afternoon period to encourage visits outside normal lunch and dinner hours.
Outcome. The launch was associated with increased sales at many locations and received a 2016 MenuMasters award from Nation's Restaurant News.
Brand decisions
2022
Saudi Arabia development agreementStrategyBackground
Arby's sought to expand its Middle Eastern franchise network.
Action taken
The brand announced an exclusive development agreement with Shahia Foods Limited Company, targeting an initial launch in Riyadh.
Aftermath
The agreement represented Arby's first announced entry into Saudi Arabia and a major Middle Eastern expansion initiative.
2017
Acquisition of Buffalo Wild WingsM&ABackground
Arby's sought to build a broader multi-brand restaurant platform under Roark ownership.
Action taken
The parent announced a cash purchase of Buffalo Wild Wings and subsequently adopted the Inspire Brands name.
Aftermath
Arby's became the flagship property of Inspire Brands, alongside additional restaurant concepts.
Acquisition value. $2.4 billion (2017 announcement)
2017
Change of soft-drink supplierStrategyBackground
Arby's had used Pepsi as its exclusive soft-drink provider for almost eleven years.
Action taken
The company selected Coca-Cola as its systemwide beverage supplier, with the transition beginning in 2018.
Aftermath
By June 2018, Arby's locations were serving Coca-Cola beverages.
2011
Sale of majority interest to Roark CapitalM&ABackground
Wendy's/Arby's Group was separating its two restaurant businesses and Arby's was facing operating and franchise-system pressures.
Action taken
Roark Capital acquired the majority of Arby's while Wendy's retained a minority interest.
Aftermath
The new ownership pursued a turnaround based on unit rationalization, revised marketing, and frequent product innovation.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Arby’s hires a chief marketing officer[5]
Reported:
Arby’s hired a former Papa Johns chief marketing officer. The source does not name the person.
Arby’s announces Crinkle Fry and Curly Fry vodkas[6]
Reported:
Arby’s announced limited-edition Crinkle Fry Vodka and Curly Fry Vodka, which were planned to be offered on November 18 and November 22 through ArbysVodka.com and in certain US regions.
Arby's unveils fry-flavored vodkas[7]
Reported:
Arby's announced two vodka flavors inspired by its curly fries and crinkle-cut fries; the spirits were scheduled to become available on its website beginning November 18.
Arby's announces smoked-aroma sweatsuit promotion[8]
Arby's promoted its Real Country Style Rib Sandwich by offering hoodies and sweatpants infused with smokehouse aroma, with sales scheduled to begin Monday at noon Eastern.
Weekdays and relative dates follow the original report; their exact calendar dates have not been verified.
Arby’s announces planned discontinuation of Potato Cakes[9]
Reported:
Arby’s reportedly planned to remove Potato Cakes from its menus on June 1. A spokesperson said the item had been discontinued for now and suggested it might return in the future.
Starbucks, Arby’s and Qdoba begin serving at Fort Sam Houston Exchange[10]
Starbucks, Arby’s and Qdoba began serving customers in the food court at the new Exchange shopping center at Joint Base San Antonio–Fort Sam Houston.
- Unconfirmed
Arby's apologizes over restaurant sign[11]
Reported:
Arby's apologized after a Minnesota mother posted about a sign at a local restaurant stating that only well-behaved children were welcome. The company said the language was insensitive, that it removed the sign quickly, and that it disciplined the manager and team working at the restaurant.
Arby's responds to criticism of a sign at a Minnesota restaurant[4]
Reported:
After a sign at an Arby's location said only well-behaved children were welcome, Arby's said the language was insensitive, apologized, removed the sign, and disciplined the manager and team working at the restaurant.
Arby's releases Meatoberfest clothing line[12]
Reported:
Arby's released its Meatoberfest clothing line, including Meaterhosen, a Beefvarian Tyrolean-style hat and Das Hat; the items were available online while supplies lasted.
Sources12 sources
- 1Arby'sen.wikipedia.org
- 2Arby's official websitearbys.com
- 3Arby's apologizes over restaurant sign987theriver.iheart.com
- 4Arby's apologizes over restaurant signusatoday.com
- 5Arby’s 聘请首席营销官news.google.com
- 6Arby’s 宣布推出 Crinkle Fry 和 Curly Fry 口味伏特加econotimes.com
- 7Arby's推出薯条风味伏特加nbcdfw.com
- 8Arby's宣布推出烟熏香气运动服促销theriver973.iheart.com
- 9Arby’s宣布计划停售Potato Cakesfoxnews.com
- 10Starbucks、Arby’s 和 Qdoba 在 Fort Sam Houston Exchange 开始营业dvidshub.net
- 11Arby's 就餐厅标牌道歉thetakeout.com
- 12Arby's推出Meatoberfest服装系列b1027.com
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