Arby's franchise
Arby's is a quick-service chain known for roast beef sandwiches, curly fries and shakes, with a menu that also includes other meats and limited-time sandwiches. Besides traditional restaurants it franchises smaller non-traditional units for captive locations. At the end of 2025 there were 3,265 Arby's locations in the US, 2,344 franchised and 921 company-owned.
- Cost to open
- $869K–$2.46M
- Franchise fee
- $37,500
- Royalty
- 4%
- Locations, 2025
- 3,265+39 in 3 yrs
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Company snapshot
- Franchising since
- 1965
- Franchisor based in
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Agreement length
- Up to 20 years
- Financing
- None offered
From Arby's Franchisor, LLC’s 2026 filing.
How much a Arby's franchise costs
Opening a free-standing Arby's costs an estimated $868,550 to $2,456,600. That covers the franchise fee and everything else needed to open, through the first months of working capital.
Source: Arby's Franchisor, LLC, 2026 filing, page 40
Arby's franchise fee
The franchise fee is $37,500, for a standard traditional restaurant, plus a $12,500 development fee. You pay it when you sign the franchise agreement.
Source: Arby's Franchisor, LLC, 2026 filing, page 29
Royalty and ongoing fees
| Royalty | 4% of gross sales for traditional restaurants (6.2% for non-traditional), paid monthly. |
|---|---|
| Brand or marketing fund | At least 5.2% of gross sales spent on advertising and marketing. |
Source: Arby's Franchisor, LLC, 2026 filing, page 31
Sales and earnings
Shares figures Arby's publishes sales or earnings figures for its locations: it reports 2025 annual unit volumes for groups of franchised restaurants. The full tables, with notes on which locations are counted, are in its filing.
Source: Arby's Franchisor, LLC, 2026 filing, page 71
Locations opened and closed
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2,316 (+11) | 1,097 | 44 |
| 2024 | 2,286 (−30) | 1,079 | 63 |
| 2025 | 2,344 (+58) | 921 | 78 |
Closed or left counts terminations, non-renewals, locations bought back by the franchisor and locations that stopped operating.
Source: Arby's Franchisor, LLC, 2026 filing, page 74
How Arby's compares
Of the 46 fast food franchises on this site, Arby's is the 29th cheapest to open and the 13th largest by number of locations.
| Measure | Arby's | Typical fast food |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to open, low end | $869K | $701K |
| Royalty | 4% | 5% |
| Closed or left per year | 2.7% | 2% |
| Change in franchised locations, 3 yrs | +1.7% | +6.3% |
| Shares earnings figures | Yes | 39 of 46 |
Typical is the median across the 46 brands in fast food franchises.
Other fast food franchises
Arby's franchise questions
Does Arby's help with financing?
No. Arby's does not offer financing or guarantee loans or leases, so buyers arrange their own, usually a bank or SBA loan.
How long is a Arby's franchise agreement?
The initial term is up to 20 years. Renewal is usually possible if you're in good standing, often for a fee and a remodel.
Is Arby's growing or shrinking?
Over the last 3 years 224 franchised locations opened and 185 closed or left, a net change of +1.7%. About 2.7% of locations closed or left each year. That is above the 2% typical for fast food franchises.
How does Arby's compare with other fast food franchises?
Of the 46 fast food franchises here, Arby's is the 29th cheapest to open (low end $869K against a $701K median) and the 13th largest by number of locations. Its 4% royalty is below the 5% median.
Does Arby's say how much franchisees make?
Yes: it reports 2025 annual unit volumes for groups of franchised restaurants. Your results can differ; the filing explains which locations are counted.
Where is Arby's based?
Arby's Franchisor, LLC is based in Atlanta, Georgia and the brand has sold franchises since 1965.