What does the name Arby’s refer to in the chain’s original founders’ initials?

The name Arby’s refers to the Raffel Brothers, the chain’s original founders.

Leroy and Forrest Raffel opened the first Arby’s restaurant in Boardman, Ohio, in 1964. The name was formed from the initials R.B., standing for Raffel Brothers, rather than being an abbreviation for roast beef.

The chain emphasized roast beef sandwiches at a time when many major burger chains focused on hamburgers. That positioning became a lasting part of Arby’s identity.

Because “R.B.” sounds like “roast beef,” people sometimes assume the letters directly describe the food. The official origin points to the founders’ surname and family partnership.