Arby’s

Arby's is the second-largest sandwich restaurant brand in the world, operating as a quick-service restaurant (QSR) chain specializing in roast beef and other meat-based sandwiches. Founded in 1964 by the Raffel brothers with their first location in Boardman, Ohio, Arby's has grown into a significant player in the global fast-casual dining market. The company is currently owned by Inspire Brands, a major restaurant holding company that acquired Arby's and consolidated it within its portfolio of restaurant concepts.

The Arby's brand is built on a distinctive market positioning centered around premium meat offerings, particularly roast beef sandwiches prepared fresh daily. The company's menu has evolved significantly since its founding to include chicken sandwiches, fish sandwiches, wraps, salads, and sides, while maintaining its core identity as a meat-focused establishment. This positioning has allowed Arby's to differentiate itself from competitors in the crowded quick-service restaurant segment, where most chains focus on burgers or chicken as primary offerings.

Arby's operates more than 3,400 to 3,500 restaurants across seven to nine countries, making it one of the largest sandwich restaurant chains globally. In 2024, Arby's ranked 25th in sales among U.S. restaurant chains, demonstrating strong market performance and consumer demand. The chain operates primarily through a franchise model, with the company actively seeking new franchisees to expand its footprint. This franchise-driven growth strategy has been instrumental in the brand's expansion and market penetration across diverse geographic markets.

The real estate strategy for Arby's focuses on high-traffic locations suitable for quick-service restaurant operations. Typical Arby's locations are designed as compact, efficient units optimized for drive-through service, which has become increasingly important in the post-pandemic restaurant landscape. The company targets locations with strong daytime and evening traffic patterns, typically in commercial areas, shopping centers, and standalone sites with adequate parking and drive-through capabilities.

Arby's growth trajectory reflects broader trends in the quick-service restaurant industry, including increased consumer interest in premium sandwich offerings and meat-centric menus. The brand has maintained relevance through menu innovation, marketing campaigns emphasizing its meat offerings, and strategic franchise expansion. Under Inspire Brands' ownership, Arby's benefits from corporate resources, operational expertise, and synergies with other restaurant concepts within the parent company's portfolio, positioning it for continued expansion and market development.