Overview
Arby’s occupies a distinctive position in American fast food: a sandwich chain whose identity centres on roast beef rather than burgers or made-to-order subs. Its menu also includes chicken sandwiches, other meat-based sandwiches, curly fries and shakes. Product availability differs by market, and limited-time offers supplement the core range.
The brand belongs to Inspire Brands, the Atlanta-based restaurant group that also owns chains including Dunkin’, Sonic Drive-In, Jimmy John’s and Buffalo Wild Wings. Arby’s operates through a mixture of franchised and company-run restaurants. Its business depends on delivering a recognisable menu quickly, with drive-through service an important part of the restaurant format.
History and growth
Brothers Forrest and Leroy Raffel founded Arby’s in Boardman, Ohio, in 1964. They sought an alternative to the hamburger-led fast-food businesses expanding across the United States, offering roast beef sandwiches as the central product. The name represents the initials of Raffel Brothers, rather than an abbreviation of roast beef.
Franchising helped the concept spread beyond Ohio, while changes in ownership shaped its subsequent development. Arby’s and Wendy’s came under common ownership in 2008, before a Roark Capital affiliate acquired a majority interest in Arby’s in 2011. In 2018, the acquisition of Buffalo Wild Wings led to the creation of Inspire Brands, with Arby’s becoming one of the new group’s founding restaurant brands.
Global footprint
Arby’s had around 3,500 restaurants worldwide as of 2024. The United States accounts for the substantial majority of its estate, making it primarily an American business despite its international presence. Canada and Türkiye are among its established markets outside the United States.
Its international network is much smaller than those of several major burger and chicken chains. That distinction matters when assessing brand recognition, supply availability and the scope for local development. A familiar name in the United States may require more customer education elsewhere. International menus and restaurant formats can also differ, so the American operating proposition should not be assumed to transfer unchanged into another territory.
How the Arby’s franchise model works
Franchisees operate restaurants under the Arby’s name and business system, subject to agreements covering brand standards, operating procedures and payments to the franchisor. Arby’s also maintains company-operated restaurants, giving the organisation direct experience of staffing, service execution and restaurant economics alongside its franchise relationships.
The system provides a common identity, menu framework, marketing activity and operating support. Franchisees remain responsible for running their businesses, including recruiting staff, managing costs and maintaining their premises. Purchasing and food preparation must meet system requirements. For operators developing several restaurants, expansion commitments and the capacity to supervise multiple sites are important considerations. The precise rights, obligations and support available depend on the applicable agreement and market.
Investment and requirements
The cost of opening an Arby’s depends heavily on the property, format and extent of construction. A new freestanding drive-through restaurant presents a different investment proposition from converting an existing building or operating in a non-traditional venue. Equipment, signage, opening inventory, training, staffing and working capital must also be considered.
Arby’s publishes US franchise investment information through its franchise materials and disclosure process, but a headline fee is not the total cost of entry. Figures can change between disclosure years and restaurant types. Prospective franchisees should request the current franchise disclosure document and a format-specific breakdown of initial costs, ongoing royalties, advertising contributions and financial qualification requirements. International arrangements require separate confirmation with the brand.
What franchisees should consider
Arby’s meat-led positioning distinguishes it from burger chains but creates its own operating demands. Consistent preparation, portion control and food safety are central to the customer experience. Changes in meat prices, labour costs and delivery charges can affect restaurant economics, while a broad menu requires disciplined inventory management.
Site selection also deserves close scrutiny. Access, visibility, drive-through capacity and nearby competition influence convenience and potential demand. Operators should examine the obligations attached to refurbishment, equipment upgrades, digital ordering and local marketing. Discussions with existing franchisees can help establish how support works in practice and how requirements differ between older restaurants and new builds. Brand scale alone does not establish whether an individual location will perform well.
Competitive landscape
Arby’s competes across several overlapping fast-food categories. Burger King and Wendy’s challenge it for drive-through occasions and meal spending, while Subway and Jersey Mike’s Subs compete more directly for sandwich customers. Chicken-led chains also contest the same lunch and evening trade, particularly where convenience and value outweigh preference for a specific product.
Its roast beef heritage provides a clearer distinction than a broadly interchangeable burger menu would. However, differentiation does not remove pressure over pricing, service speed or promotional activity. Consumers can compare meal deals across categories with little effort. Jimmy John’s, another Inspire Brands business, also operates in sandwiches, illustrating how brands within a single restaurant group can serve overlapping customer needs through different formats.
Outlook
Arby’s future development rests on keeping its established identity relevant while adapting to changing expectations around value, convenience and ordering technology. Its place within Inspire Brands offers access to group capabilities, although shared ownership does not eliminate the operational challenges facing individual restaurants.
For prospective franchisees, the central question is how the brand’s distinctive menu and operating system fit a particular market and management team. International opportunities require especially careful consideration of local tastes, sourcing and brand awareness. The chain’s long trading history and substantial US presence provide context, but neither should substitute for current disclosure materials, realistic site assessment and a clear understanding of the obligations associated with joining the system.
Arby's franchise: frequently asked questions
How much does an Arby’s franchise cost?
The investment varies by restaurant format, property and construction requirements. A freestanding drive-through restaurant and a conversion can have substantially different costs. Arby’s provides US investment information through its franchise materials and disclosure process. Prospective franchisees should request the current franchise disclosure document for applicable fees, estimated initial investment, ongoing charges and financial qualification requirements.
How many Arby’s locations are there?
Arby’s had around 3,500 restaurants worldwide as of 2024, with the substantial majority located in the United States. Its estate includes both company-operated and franchised restaurants. The brand also has an international presence, including Canada and Türkiye, although its overseas network is considerably smaller than those of several leading global fast-food chains.
Who owns Arby’s?
Arby’s is part of Inspire Brands, the Atlanta-based restaurant group whose portfolio also includes Dunkin’, Buffalo Wild Wings, Sonic Drive-In and Jimmy John’s. Inspire was established in 2018 following the acquisition of Buffalo Wild Wings. Ownership of the brand is distinct from ownership of individual restaurants, many of which are operated by franchisees.
When and where was Arby’s founded?
Arby’s was founded in 1964 in Boardman, Ohio, by brothers Forrest and Leroy Raffel. They developed a fast-food concept centred on roast beef sandwiches as an alternative to hamburger restaurants. The name derives from the initials of Raffel Brothers, not from the words roast beef.
Can franchisees open an Arby’s outside the United States?
Arby’s operates internationally, but its presence overseas does not mean franchise opportunities are available in every country. Territory availability, development commitments, sourcing arrangements and operating requirements need confirmation directly with the brand. Prospective international operators should request market-specific information rather than assume that US investment figures or agreement terms apply.
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Figures are approximate and based on publicly reported information as of 2024. Franchise costs and terms change; prospective franchisees should obtain the brand’s current disclosure documents and take independent legal and financial advice. Profile updated October 2026.