What Happened to Arby's?

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, saw a market opportunity for a fast-food franchise centered on a dish other than hamburgers, leading to their signature roast beef sandwich. The name 'Arby's' is a phonetic pronunciation of 'R.B.' for 'Raffel Brothers.'

In its early years, Arby's grew modestly, focusing on its core roast beef offerings. The Raffel brothers sold the company to Royal Crown in 1976, and after a period under DWG Corporation, Triarc Companies Inc. acquired Arby's in 1993, working to revitalize the brand. This era saw menu expansion, including the introduction of the popular Market Fresh line of deli-style sandwiches and salads in 2001, aiming to offer higher-quality, unique ingredients.

A significant turning point occurred in July 2011 when Roark Capital Group acquired an 81.5% majority stake in Arby's Restaurant Group. This laid the groundwork for the formation of Inspire Brands on February 5, 2018, when Arby's Restaurant Group merged with Buffalo Wild Wings. Arby's CEO Paul Brown was selected to lead the new multi-brand company, which has since grown to include Dunkin', Baskin-Robbins, Jimmy John's, and Sonic Drive-In, aiming for a diversified portfolio.

Despite its strong parent company, Arby's has faced significant challenges in recent years. In 2024, Arby's experienced a 6.3% decline in sales and closed a net of 48 restaurants, placing its performance near the bottom of the limited-service sandwich segment. Reports in late 2025 and early 2026 highlighted that Arby's had quietly closed dozens of locations across the country since 2023, totaling 48 closures. These closures were attributed to increasing operational costs, less consumer spending, and intense competition within the fast-food industry, which has seen other chains invest heavily in mobile apps, loyalty programs, and faster drive-thru systems.

However, Arby's continues to pursue innovation to maintain its market position. In February 2026, the Arby's Foundation celebrated 15 years of partnership with No Kid Hungry, committing $1 million over five years to support summer programs. In April 2026, Datassential recognized Arby's as 'America's Restaurant Innovation Leader' for its successful limited-time offers and new menu releases, particularly in protein innovation. A major menu shift occurred in June 2026, when Arby's permanently added an Angus Cheesesteak, an improved version of a successful limited-time offering, to its menu. To make room for this premium item, Arby's officially discontinued its entire burger line, reinforcing its identity as a purveyor of diverse meats beyond traditional burgers.

As of August 2026, Arby's, under the umbrella of Inspire Brands, is navigating a competitive and economically challenging fast-food landscape. While facing ongoing store closures and the need to adapt to evolving consumer habits, the brand is actively innovating its menu and marketing strategies, such as the $1.99 slider campaign in June 2026, to attract and retain customers. Inspire Brands itself is reportedly considering an initial public offering (IPO) as early as 2026, which could further impact Arby's future direction and investment.