Arby's
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Arby's logo
Arby's is a fast food restaurant franchise that is primarily known for selling roast beef sandwiches. Its target market is more adult-oriented than many fast food restaurants such as McDonald's and Burger King.
The Arby's menu also includes appetizers, chicken strips, salads, and Market Fresh (deli-style) sandwiches and wraps, but their focus has always been roast beef.
In 2003, Arby's debuted an animated mascot called the Arby's Oven Mitt.
History
Arby's was founded by Forrest and Leroy Raffel, who were determined to open a fast food franchise based on something other than hamburgers. They opened their first restaurant in Boardman, Ohio on July 23, 1964 where they initially served only roast beef sandwiches, potato chips, and beverages. One year later, the first Arby's licensee opened a restaurant in Akron, Ohio. Expansion to other states began in 1968. As of 2004, there are over 3400 restaurants worldwide.
The name Arby's came as a result of the brothers' inability to use the name "Big Tex" that was being used by an Akron businessman. They eventually decided on Arby's, which stands for R.B., the initials of Raffel Brothers. This also, perhaps not coincidentally, can stand for "roast beef" as well. In the early 1980s Arby's used the slogan "America's Roast Beef, Yes Sir."
Arby's today
Arby's is currently franchised by Triarc, which also owns over 200 restaurants. Triarc also franchises T.J. Cinnamons and Pasta Connection and used to own RC Cola. RTM Restaurant Group is the largest owner of Arby's franchises (as well as Mrs. Winners).
In 2005, Triarc announced on May 31 that it was buying Atlanta-based RTM, and will move the headquarters of Arby's there from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
External links
- Arby's official website (http://www.arbys.com/)
- Arby's history (http://www.arbys.net/history.html)
- Triarc (Arby's Franchisor) website (http://www.triarc.com/about.html)