News

Arby's debuts fast casual-inspired design in Tennessee

November 21, 2014

Arby's Restaurant Group Inc. announced the opening of a new restaurant design and format in White House, Tennessee.

According to the company, the new design, called "Inspire," aims to "deliver fast casual aesthetics while employing QSR economics." Arby's began remodeling restaurants in the new design several months ago and is planning to significantly ramp up both company and franchised development in 2015 and beyond.

Newly remodeled restaurants thus far have seen average sales increases exceeding 15 percent, the company said in a news release.

In addition to the updated aesthetics and enhanced operational efficiencies of the new design, the brand is exploring new restaurant formats.  Examples include the end-cap with a drive-thru that opened this week, streamlined new standalone building formats that accommodate smaller footprints, as well as in-line restaurants suited to shopping center and convenience store locations.

"Arby's continues to experience a wave of momentum that has grown throughout the year with a renewed commitment to innovative products, our service culture and the introduction of a new marketing campaign," CEO Paul Brown said in the release. "We are excited by what our expanded range of formats means for the brand as it gives us the flexibility to enter more urban environments and reach new guests."

The new Tennessee location features the end-cap with a drive-thru, the first in this format. It includes a new color palette, communal tables, contemporized lighting and wood and subway tiling. Arby's plans two more formats within the next few months.

"Our plan is to kick-start growth through the addition of these new restaurant formats," President and COO George Condos said in the release. "In addition to providing a better guest experience, the new restaurant formats will incorporate innovative operational elements to improve efficiencies with a revamped production line."