The 5 Surprising Secrets: How Arby's Still Has The Meats—And Stays In Business

Despite being the butt of countless jokes and facing intense competition from burger and chicken chains, Arby’s remains a stalwart of the American quick-service restaurant (QSR) landscape in late 2025. The enduring question, "How is Arby's still in business?" is not a sign of failure, but rather a testament to a shrewd, multi-layered business strategy that has solidified its unique—and profitable—niche in the fast-food world. The answer lies in a powerful parent company, a highly successful franchise model, and a menu that strategically avoids direct competition with industry titans. This deep dive reveals the key pillars of Arby's surprising longevity, from its financial structure to its beloved, yet polarizing, menu items. While some reports from 2024 indicated a middling year with a slight sales decline and some store closures, the overall picture shows a brand with a stable, profitable foundation that leverages its distinct identity to ensure its future.

The Financial Fortress: Inspire Brands and the Franchise Model

The most critical factor in Arby’s continued existence—and success—is its parent company, Inspire Brands. This multi-brand restaurant powerhouse, which owns over 33,000 restaurants globally, provides Arby's with a financial and strategic safety net that few standalone chains can match.

The Power of the Portfolio

Inspire Brands' portfolio includes industry giants like Dunkin’, Sonic Drive-In, Buffalo Wild Wings, Jimmy John's, and Baskin-Robbins. This diversification means that Arby's performance is viewed as part of a much larger, more stable ecosystem.

• Shared Resources: Inspire Brands allows Arby's to benefit from shared technology, supply chain efficiencies, and digital marketing expertise across its entire portfolio, lowering operating costs.
• Strategic Vision: The parent company's long-term strategy includes international expansion, which benefits all its brands, including Arby's, as it seeks to introduce new concepts to the global market.

A Profitable Franchise System

Arby’s operates over 3,398 restaurants, primarily through a robust franchise model. The profitability of the individual franchisees is the true measure of the brand's stability.

• Strong Unit Economics: As of late 2024, the estimated yearly gross sales for an Arby’s franchise hovered around $1.19 million, with estimated earnings (profitability) ranging from $143,186 to $178,983. This level of return makes the Arby's franchise an attractive and viable investment.
• Royalty Revenue: The company earns a consistent stream of franchise royalty revenue (typically 4% of gross sales), which provides a stable income regardless of minor sales fluctuations at the corporate level.

The Unique Niche: "We Have The Meats" and Brand Differentiation

Arby's genius is its refusal to compete directly with the burger giants. While McDonald's and Burger King fight over beef patties, Arby's has carved out a unique, almost uncontested, quick-service restaurant (QSR) niche by selling a variety of proteins.

The Roast Beef and Curly Fry Core

The core menu is built around the Classic Roast Beef Sandwich and the iconic Curly Fries, which have a dedicated, loyal following. This menu positioning makes Arby's the default choice for consumers seeking a different kind of fast-food experience.

Innovative and Bold Product Introductions

Arby’s constantly introduces new, premium, and often polarizing menu items that generate buzz and drive sales, leaning into its brand identity as the "meat expert."

• Premium Meats: Offerings like Smokehouse Brisket, Angus Steak, and the seasonal Reuben sandwich elevate the menu above standard fast-food fare, appealing to customers looking for a deli-style experience at a drive-thru.
• Viral Sensations: The unofficial Meat Mountain Sandwich (containing almost every meat on the menu) and the occasional return of fan-favorite burgers in 2024/2025 demonstrate a mastery of creating internet-worthy food and responding to customer demand.
• Freshness Focus: Recent marketing shifts, such as the focus on the Turkey Roasters sandwich, emphasize freshness and quality, showing an adaptation to modern consumer trends.

The Marketing Strategy: Humor, Self-Awareness, and Voice

Arby's marketing strategy is highly effective because it is self-aware, humorous, and distinct, a stark contrast to the often generic advertising of its competitors.

The "We Have The Meats" Slogan

The simple, bold slogan, "We Have The Meats," is a powerful brand differentiation tool. It immediately communicates the brand's unique selling proposition and serves as a memorable, almost meme-worthy catchphrase.

Humor and Digital Engagement

Arby's leverages humor and an edgy tone in its advertising and on social media, often embracing the public's perception of the brand. This approach fosters a strong, almost cult-like following among a specific demographic.

• The brand’s use of a deep, authoritative voice-over in commercials creates an instant, recognizable identity.
• They actively engage on platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), turning online jokes into marketing opportunities and driving a sense of community among its loyal customers.

Conclusion: Arby's Is Not Just Surviving, It's Strategically Thriving

The notion that Arby's is merely "hanging on" is a misconception. The chain is a successful, profitable component of the massive Inspire Brands portfolio. Its longevity is not a fluke but the result of a deliberate, three-pronged strategy: financial stability through a robust franchise system, market dominance in the non-burger QSR niche, and a distinctive marketing voice that resonates with its target audience. While it may not boast the sheer volume of a McDonald's or a Chick-fil-A, Arby's secures its position by being the *only* major player that consistently offers deli-style meats and unique items like the French Dip Max and Jamocha Shake at a drive-thru. By owning the "meat" category, Arby's has guaranteed its relevance and profitability for years to come.