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Did Arby’s Change Their Roast Beef? Examining the Evolution of an Iconic Sandwich

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If you want a burger, you can get one anywhere, even at your favorite fast food place. If you want something different, head to Arbys and pick up a few of their roast beef sandwiches. Theyre delicious, but heres the thing: theyre weird.

People either really like or really dislike Arby’s roast beef because of the way it tastes and feels. While others were going after the lowly hamburger, they built their whole business on roast beef, which has set them apart for decades. Even though roast beef has helped them build an empire, it has also given rise to many urban legends and myths.

And, over the years, their roast beef has been a bit of a problem for them. So well-known for it that AdWeek says it was the main reason why their sales dropped in the 21st century. Customers didn’t know what they were getting besides roast beef, which is why Arby’s had to be completely redone. But that roast beef is still there, and theres a lot that most people dont know about it.

Arby’s is almost always associated with the smell of slowly roasted beef, horseradish sauce, and toasted buns. Since 1964, when the first Arby’s opened in Ohio, the famous roast beef sandwich has been on the menu all the time. But has the way this famous sandwich is made changed over the years? Let’s take a closer look at the history and development of Arby’s famous roast beef sandwich.

The Origins of Arby’s Roast Beef

The name Arby’s comes from the initials “R” that Leroy and Forrest Raffel used to start the business. B. “, which stood for “Raffel Brothers. “The chain chose roast beef as its signature sandwich not only because it tastes great but also because it’s different from other fast food” Other chains, like McDonald’s, were mostly known for their hamburgers, so Arby’s roast beef gave them an edge.

Roast beef rounds were cut into sandwiches on the spot for the first Arby’s roast beef sandwiches. This set them apart from pre-sliced deli meats. Company records show that Arby’s bought sirloin tip, top round, and rump roast for their sandwiches. On-site smoking and slow roasting of the meat took up to 10 hours of time.

How Has the Process Changed Over the Years?

Over the decades, Arby’s has made some subtle changes to how their roast beef is prepared. In the 1990s, they switched from roasting whole cuts of beef on-site to using pre-cooked pre-sliced roast beef shipped to each location.

According to some sources, the roast beef now arrives at locations in a bag that contains a broth solution to keep the meat moist. However Arby’s insists that all of their roast beef is 100% real beef with no added fillers or binders.

Arby’s has moved some of the roasting and slicing to central commissary kitchens for efficiency and safety. But each restaurant still receives fresh roast beef delivered daily and finishes cooking it on-site to give the meat its signature flavor.

Despite some modernizations, Arby’s states that their roast beef is still sliced and roasted today using a process very similar to how it was done back in 1964. The key aspects like high-quality beef cuts, smoke-roasting method, and on-site slicing remain unchanged.

What About the Rumors of ‘Meat Paste’?

One of the biggest misconceptions about Arby’s roast beef is that it’s made from a meat paste, gel, or liquid concoction. This urban legend has circulated for years, but Arby’s claims it is absolutely false.

Arby’s representatives have repeatedly stated that their roast beef is “100 percent beef, period.” They say it arrives at restaurants as solid meat and is never in a paste or liquid form. The company has refuted any notions that their meat comes from questionable sources or contains bizarre additives.

While their process has evolved slightly for food safety and efficiency, Arby’s maintains that their roast beef is real sliced beef meat slowly smoked to tender perfection. They take pride in adhering to high standards for quality ingredients.

Recent Marketing Shifts

In response to growing health trends, Arby’s has shifted their marketing in recent years to highlight some lower-calorie options. Their ads now feature oven-roasted turkey alongside classic roast beef. Menu expansions include items like wraps and salads.

However, roast beef remains central to Arby’s brand identity. They use the tagline “We Have the Meats” to reinforce their focus on quality proteins. Arby’s still showcases their roast beef front and center in campaigns and menu listings.

While adjusting to current food trends, Arby’s appears committed to preserving their heritage as the destination for authentic sliced roast beef sandwiches. Their core product that made them famous continues to satisfy customers daily.

What Does the Future Hold?

It seems clear that roast beef will remain an integral part of Arby’s menu and brand moving forward. Reports indicate they are experimenting with new flavors and preparations like brisket and smoked turkey. But their signature roast beef will likely always be viewed as the chain’s claim to fame.

Arby’s may continue adapting their process over time to implement new technology and safety procedures. However, they have given no indication of abandoning the high standards for quality, freshness, and flavor that have defined their roast beef for over 50 years.

Customers can expect improved speed and convenience from Arby’s roast beef but should rest assured the product itself remains faithful to its origins – real, high-quality roast beef sliced on site at each location daily. That mouthwatering aroma isn’t going away anytime soon!

The Verdict: Arby’s Roast Beef Stands the Test of Time

While minor tweaks have modernized preparation, Arby’s insists their roast beef still comes from whole muscle cuts of real beef. They use the same smoke-roasting technique that made their sandwiches famous back in the 60s.

Rumors of dubious ingredients have been soundly rejected by Arby’s representatives protecting their good name. At the end of the day, their roast beef remains uncompromisingly real, carved fresh on-site every day at every location.

For Arby’s fans, this means you can continue enjoying the satisfying taste of slow-roasted juicy beef piled high on a toasted bun. Each savory bite connects you to an iconic sandwich rooted in tradition and built on a legacy of quality that will last for generations to come.

did arbys change their roast beef

Arby’s is trying to shed their roast beef-only image

While roast beef may have been what made Arby’s famous, they’ve been trying to show customers, both old and new, that it’s not everything they do.

In 2018, they launched a new ad campaign with the slogan, “Arbys. We have the meats… for sandwiches”. According to The Wall Street Journal, the entire campaign was designed to let people know that theres much more to Arbys than just roast beef, and theyre not shy about saying that. The campaigns “head of sandwiches” character moans about people who “still think Arbys is just roast beef,” and that “The last time you went to Arbys you were with your grandparents who ate exclusively roast beef, every meal, somehow.”

That’s a lot of bad press for a staple product, but Jim Taylor, the marketing chief, says they’re not giving up on their roast beef completely. Roast beef is still available, but they want to attract a younger crowd that likes all kinds of sandwiches, not just their grandparents’ favorite, roast beef.

It’s cooked in the bag and sliced to order

In 2015, Arbys invested in redesigning their restaurants and their kitchens. Business Insider took the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes in one of the new locations before it opened, and got a peek at the processes that goes into serving up Americas favorite fast food roast beef. They found that while some of their meats — like the brisket — get to the store ready to slice and serve, the roast beef is slow-roasted in its strange bag for around four hours. Its only after that its put on the slicer and — surprisingly — is sliced to order only as customers are standing at the counter or sitting in the drive-thru.

Sounds unlikely, right? But its confirmed by numerous employees and former employees on Reddit, like this cook and cashier who replied to an IAmA thread by saying, “All of the roast beef is cooked daily and sliced to order just moments before it gets on the sandwich and into your hands. I know this sounds like Arbys propaganda, but its the absolute truth and one of the reasons why I was proud to work there compared to other fast-food.”

The Truth About Arby’s Roast Beef

FAQ

Why does Arby’s roast beef taste different?

A roast beef sandwich from Arby’s has a distinct flavor that you can’t get anywhere else, and it’s not just because of the onion roll or the added cheese sauce. Arby’s uses its own blend of seasonings to give its roast beef a unique taste that goes right down to the slice.

Did Arby’s used to use real roast beef?

They confirmed there’s absolutely no truth the story, and said that their roast beef is, in fact, completely beef. They’re well aware of the rumors, and Arby’s Jim Lowder wrote Snopes, “Thank you for doing your part to curb the urban legend about Arby’s Roast Beef.

What kind of meat does Arby’s use for their roast beef?

Arby’s uses Beef to make their famous roast beef meat. It’s processed in a unique way that yields a sliced product. Their proceed beef includes salt and water and other common additives that help ensure consistency and adhesion.

Why is Arby’s roast beef green?

Meat contains iron, fat, and many other compounds. When light hits a slice of meat, it splits into colors like a rainbow. There are also various pigments in meat compounds which can give it an iridescent or greenish cast when exposed to heat and processing.

What exactly is Arby’s roast beef?

The claim basically says their roast beef is actually imitation meat, made from gels, liquids, or pastes, formed into a vaguely meat-shaped lump then roasted, cooled, and turned into sandwich filler. Nothing about it sounds good, and it’s a weirdly enduring story. They did some digging, and went straight to the source: Arby’s Quality Assurance.

Who owns Arby’s roast beef?

Arby’s roast beef has a rich history dating back to 1964 when the first Arby’s restaurant opened in Boardman, Ohio. The chain was founded by brothers Leroy and Forrest Raffel, hence the name “Arby,” which stands for R.B. – Raffel Brothers.

Does Arby’s have real beef?

From McDonald’s to Wendy’s to Taco Bell, no one is immune to scrutiny, and that includes Arby’s. But despite the rumors that have swirled around, Arby’s roast beef is made with 100% real beef, and that’s obviously the primary reason that it’s so good. No filler, no fake protein, and certainly no liquid meat .

How bad is Arby’s roast beef?

Take a peek at Arby’s nutritional information, and you’ll find there’s a way to eat pretty well — and there are plenty of ways to eat very, very badly. Take the Classic Roast Beef, and you’ll find it’s not terrible for you. It’s only 360 calories and 14 grams of fat, which is pretty good for a fast food sandwich.

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