Did Arby's fast food chain get its name from the initials "RB," as in, Roast Beef, it's specialty?

Question

...so they took the RB and then phonetically created the name Arby's, which sounds the same. My girlfriend told me this and I just don't buy it...

Answer 1

I think they did

Answer 2

Arby's did get its name from the initials RB but not as in roast beef. It is actually named after the Raffel Brothers.

Arby's was founded by Forrest and Leroy Raffel in Ohio in 1964, who were determined to own a fast food franchise based on a food other than hamburgers. The brothers wanted to use the preferred name of "Big Tex", but that name was already being used by an Akron businessman. They eventually decided on the Arby's moniker, based on R.B., the initials of Raffel Brothers, thus Arby's, LLC, was born. By coincidence, R.B. can also be short for roast beef, the company's main product, a point which was used when the backronym "America's Roast Beef, Yes Sir" was used as an advertising campaign in the 1980s.

Answer 3

From www.arbys.com (under "about Arby's") -

Arby’s® is the place for people hungering for a unique, better tasting alternative to traditional fast food.  It’s the favorite place for people who crave something different and better.  Serving one-of-a-kind menu items, Arby’s is well known for slow-roasted and freshly sliced roast beef sandwiches and famous Market Fresh sandwiches, wraps and salads, made with wholesome ingredients and served with the convenience of a drive-thru.

From day one, Arby’s Roast Beef Restaurants offered an innovative menu, offering guests something other than hamburgers in the newly inspired quick service segment.  When foodservice veterans Leroy and Forrest Raffel opened the first Arby’s in Boardman, Ohio on July 23, 1964, customers enjoyed roast beef sandwiches, potato chips, and Texas-sized iced teas.  To name their new venture, the brothers decided on Arby’s, which stands for R.B., the initials of the Raffel Brothers - although many suspect the R.B. stands for roast beef.

Leroy and Forrest never looked back.  They fine tuned the operation and sold the first franchise to Sam Feldman the following year.   Today, Arby’s rich heritage is comprised of several multi-generation franchise owners.  In fact, Jim Raffel, founder Leroy’s son, owns and operates three locations in Maine.  

The enterprising spirit that originated with the Raffel Brothers has fueled the development of  Arby’s throughout its 41 year history. The company added an average of 50 restaurants a year in the 1970s while simultaneously creating and perfecting timeless menu favorites, Beef ‘n Cheddar, Jamocha Shakes, Curly Fries and Arby’s signature sauces, Arby’s BBQ sauce and Horsey Sauce®.

Arby’s continued expanding both locations and menu items during the next decade, opening restaurant number 1,000 and introducing chicken to the menu in 1981.

In 1991, Arby’s was the first to introduce a complete Lite Menu featuring three sandwiches and four salads under 300 calories and 94% fat free. In 1994, Arby’s banned smoking in all company-owned restaurants, another first in the quick service segment.

In 1995, the Arby’s Foundation launched the Arby’s Charity Tour (ACT), a series of corporate golf tournaments and other fund-raising activities to benefit youth-mentoring organizations, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters.  Since then, the ACT has raised over $18 million, a testament to Arby’s commitment to make a difference in the communities its restaurants serve.

A change in the company’s ownership set the course for menu expansion and a strengthened brand.  Triarc Companies, Inc. purchased Arby’s in 1993 and innovation quickly followed.  Arby’s introduced Arby’s Market Fresh in 2001, a line of deli-style sandwiches and salads made with high quality and unique ingredients.  In 2003, wraps extended the popular additions.

Following a thorough study of the brand and customer base, Arby’s introduced the “I’m Thinking Arby’s” campaign in 2005.  The ad series featured Arby’s point of difference - high quality, unique products not typically found in fast food.  When you’re craving Arby’s you can’t think of anything else.

On July 25, 2005, Triarc acquired RTM Restaurant Group, Arby’s largest franchisee, and formed Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc., an Atlanta-based company comprised of more than 3,500 restaurants.  Of those, Arby’s Restaurant Group owns and operates more than 1,000 restaurants located in the United States.

Roland Smith returned to Atlanta as President and Chief Executive Officer of Arby’s Restaurant Group in April 2006.  Smith first joined Arby’s in 1994 and served as the brand’s President and CEO from 1997 to 1999.

Answer 4

You're a real moron if you think it's a coincidence.

Obviously.

Answer 5

I think she's right.  They have a show called Fast Food Nation and I believe I heard the same thing on there.

Answer 6

No !!!!!!!

Arby's, which stands for R.B., the initials of Raffel Brothers.

Forrest Raffel and his  younger brother Leroy founded Arby's in 1964.  The partners wanted to use the name "Big Tex," but were unsuccessful in negotiating with the Akron businessman who was already using the name.  So they came up with the name Arby's.

The first Arby's restaurant opened in Boardman, Ohio, on July 23, 1964, serving only roast beef sandwiches, potato chips, and a beverage, and was the only Arby's¨ restaurant for a year as the brothers refined the operation. One year later, the first Arby's licensee opened a restaurant in Akron, Ohio. Today, more than 500 licensees operate more than 3,200 restaurants worldwide.