Known for its hearty sandwiches, irresistible curly fries and catchphrase “We Have the Meats” Arby's has carved out a unique niche in the fast food landscape.
Founded in 1964, Arby's has grown to become one of the largest sandwich chains in the world, serving millions of customers in thousands of locations across the globe. The brand, which was ranked in top 10 in the year 2024 Franchise 500is known not only for its meaty menu but also for its innovative marketing.
Think you know everything about the roast beef giant? Think again. Dive into these 10 intriguing facts about Arby's that will not only surprise you, but also deepen your appreciation for this fast food powerhouse.
1. Arby's changed its logo twice in two years.
Arby's underwent a major rebrand, changing its logo twice within two years. The first change was in 2012, when the brand adopted a more modern and sleek look, updating the classic cowboy hat logo. But this logo didn't last long. By 2013, Arby's had updated its logo again as a more refreshed version similar to the original.
2. Arby's released a burger-shaped golf driver for Father's Day.
In a fun and unusual promotion, Arby's offered a unique collectible item called “The Burger Driver.” This was one specially designed golf club, given away to three lucky winners, that humorously toyed with the idea of blowing away the competition.
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3. An Arby's promotion once included French fry-flavored vodka.
Arby's released a limited edition With French fry flavor vodka. This included curly-flavored vodka and fried-flavored vodka, fusing the flavors of fast food with the world of spirits. The vodka was created in collaboration with a distillery and was available until it quickly sold out, creating a buzz among Arby's fans and vodka enthusiasts alike.
4. Arby's continued the French Fry flavored vodka with its bourbon.
Following the success of its French-flavored vodka, Arby's introduced Arby's Smoked Bourbon. This bourbon was infused with the same flavor as their smoked sandwiches and sold out in 13 minutes.
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5. The Arby's Foundation empowers youth-related causes.
Through its founding, Arby's has given over 100 million dollarsn for youth-related causes. These donations support a variety of programs aimed at improving the lives of young people, including hunger relief, educational initiatives and youth development projects.
6. There is no person named “Arby's” associated with the chain name.
Contrary to popular belief, there is no real person named “Arby” associated with the founding of Arby's. The name Arby's is derived from the initials of brothers Raffel (RB or “ar-bee”), Forrest and Leroy, who founded the restaurant in 1964. They chose the name as a nod to their initials and their original concept of serving roast sandwiches beef.
7. Arby's has collaborated with Pusha T.
In 2022, Arby's partnered with rapper Pusha T for a unique marketing project. They created a song “Country-Style Rib Roast” to promote their rib sandwich. This was preceded by a “Filet-o-Fish Diss Track” promoting Arby's Fish Sandwich.
8. There are plant-based meats, why not meat-based vegetables?
Arby's once announced a meat based plant as a humorous response to the growing trend of plant-based meat alternatives. The announcement was a playful jab at the plant-based movement, reinforcing Arby's commitment to its meat-centric brand identity.
9. The brand was the first to introduce a “Menu Lite”.
Arby's was a pioneer in offering healthier options with their introduction Lite menu in the early 1990s. This menu included items that were lower in fat and calories, catering to health-conscious customers.
10. Arby's was the first to ban smoking in the quick service restaurant industry.
In 1994, Arby's became the first fast food chain stop smoking in all restaurants owned by her company. This decision was made to create a healthier and more comfortable dining environment for all customers.
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