Arby's® is the place for people hungering for a unique, better tasting alternative to traditional fast food. It's the favorite place for people
who crave something different and better. Arby's is well known for slow-roasted and freshly sliced roast beef sandwiches, famous Market
Fresh sandwiches, salads, and toasted subs, and other QSR favorites served with the convenience of a drive-thru.
From day one, Arby's Roast Beef Restaurants offered an innovative menu, giving guests something other than hamburgers in the
newly-inspired quick service segment. When foodservice veterans Leroy and Forrest Raffel opened the first Arby's in Boardman, Ohio
on July 23, 1964,customers enjoyed roast beef sandwiches, potato chips, and Texas-sized iced teas. To name their new venture, the
brothers decided on Arby's, which stands for R.B., the initials of the Raffel Brothers - although many suspect the R.B. stands for roast beef.
Leroy and Forrest never looked back. They fine tuned the operation and sold the first franchise to Sam Feldman the following year. Today,
Arby's rich heritage is comprised of several multi-generation franchise owners. In fact, Jim Raffel, founder Leroy's son, owns and operates four
locations in Maine.
The enterprising spirit that originated with the Raffel Brothers has fueled the development of Arby's throughout its 45 year history. The company
added an average of 50 restaurants a year in the 1970s while simultaneously creating and perfecting timeless menu favorites, such as the
Beef 'n Cheddar, Jamocha Shakes, Curly Fries and Arby's signature sauces, Arby's sauce and Horsey Sauce®.
Arby's continued expanding both locations and menu items during the next decade, opening restaurant number 1,000 and introducing chicken
to the menu in 1981.
In 1991, Arby's was the first to introduce a complete Lite Menu featuring three sandwiches and four salads under 300 calories and 94%
fat free. In 1994, Arby's banned smoking in all company-owned restaurants, another first in the quick service segment.
In 1996, the Arby's Foundation launched the Arby's Charity Tour (ACT), a series of corporate golf tournaments and other fund-raising
activities to benefit youth-mentoring organizations, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters. Since then, the ACT has raised over $26 million, a
testament to Arby's commitment to make a difference in the communities its restaurants serve.
A change in the company's ownership set the course for menu expansion and a strengthened brand. Triarc Companies, Inc. purchased Arby's
in 1993 and innovation continued to follow. Arby's introduced Arby's Market Fresh in 2001, a line of deli-style sandwiches and salads made
with high quality and unique ingredients.
Following a thorough study of the brand and customer base, Arby's introduced the "I'm Thinking Arby's" campaign in 2005. The ad series
featured Arby's point of difference - high quality, unique products not typically found in fast food. When you're craving Arby's you can't
think of anything else.
On July 25, 2005, Triarc acquired RTM Restaurant Group, Arby's largest franchisee, and formed Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc.,
an Atlanta-based company comprised of more than 3,500 restaurants. Of those, Arby's Restaurant Group owned and operated more than
1,100 restaurants located in the United States.
Roland Smith returned to Arby's as President and Chief Executive Officer of Arby's Restaurant Group in April 2006. Smith first joined
Arby's in 1994 and served as the brand's President and CEO from 1997 to 1999.
On September 29, 2008, Triarc Companies, Inc. merged with Wendy's International Inc. to form Wendy's/Arby's Group, the third largest
quick-service restaurant company in the U.S. This merger created a world-class company with the strength, scale and expertise necessary
to deliver operational efficiencies, improved product offerings, shared services and strong human capital.
With this transaction, Smith became CEO of Wendy's/Arby's Group and current President & COO Tom Garrett was promoted to
President & CEO of Arby's. Garrett, a 26-year veteran of Arby's, brings deep-rooted passion and leadership to the Arby's brand.
In March 2009, Arby's introduced a new sandwich line, Roastburgers™, to rival fast food burger competitors. These sandwiches are made
with Arby's slow-roasted roast beef and topped with a variety of popular burger condiments, including ketchup, mustard, bacon and bleu cheese.
