Copyright The Street
It’s bittersweet to watch longtime fast-food chains, once icons of convenience and affordability, slowly fade away. For decades, these restaurants provided comfort and familiarity with their affordable meals, which became part of after-school routines, late-night college snacks, and family road trips. However, faced with mounting economic pressures, evolving consumer habits, and intensifying competition, many of these beloved chains are now struggling to survive. What once felt like permanent staples of American culture are disappearing, nearing the end of their legacy. Founded in 1964, Arby’s is an American fast-food restaurant chain known for its meat-stacked roast beef sandwiches, curly fries, and iconic “We Have the Meats” slogan. With more than 3,300 restaurants nationwide, Arby’s long history of serving thousands of guests has earned it a third-place ranking among the top fast-food sandwich chains, according to QSR Magazine. Yet even this well-established brand is feeling the strain, facing rising food, labor, and rent costs, paired with decreased consumer spending and foot traffic, which have slimmed the chances of survival for Arby’s and many others across the industry. Arby’s parent company, Inspire Brands, reported total sales of $29.5 billion in 2024, according to NRN, which cited a Technomic report. However, Arby’s posted the weakest performance among its six sister brands, with sales declining by 6.3% that year. The chain also closed 48 locations, representing a net loss of 1.4% of its stores. Arby’s closes more restaurants in 2025 Although Arby’s has not released an official statement regarding the reason behind its recent closures, the shutdowns have continued into 2025, with at least 14 locations closed across eight states. 2025 Arby’s restaurant closures Tennessee: Three restaurants closed across Cordova, Germantown, and Memphis in October and one in Murfreesboro in July. Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal, WGNS California: Locations in Fresno and Victorville shuttered in September and November, respectively. Sources: Fresno Bee, Victorville Daily Press Delaware: A restaurant in Talleyville closed in June. Source: Delaware News Journal Florida: Four Jacksonville-area stores shuttered in early 2025. Source: The Florida Times-Union Maryland: A location in Laurel closed in March. Source: The Mocoshow New Jersey: A restaurant in Audubon shut down in January. Source: 42 Freeway Washington: A store in Pullman closed in June. Source: Pullman Radio South Carolina: A location in North Charleston closed in July. Source: The Post and Courier The restaurant industry’s persistent struggles Arby’s is not alone in its struggles; the broader restaurant industry is also experiencing similar challenges. Prices for food away from home rose 3.7% in the 12 months ending September 2025, according to recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Fast food, once the most budget-friendly and reliable dining option, is no longer as affordable. Finance Buzz reported that menu prices increased between 39% and 100% from 2014 to 2024, outpacing the national inflation rate of 33% during the same period. Arby’s, Wendy’s, and Burger King have each raised their prices by 55%. As a result, traffic across the food service industry dropped by 1% in the quarter ending June 2025, according to Circana. “This poses a significant challenge for restaurants, as home-cooked meals directly substitute demand for dining establishments, translating to reduced revenues and declines in customer traffic as demand shifts to grocery stores for ingredients,” said Coresight Research analyst Sujeet Naik. More Closures: Popular local bakery chain closing all stores next month Mexican restaurant closes unexpectedly amid alarming legal troubles Beloved family restaurant chain closes another location Coincidentally, Arby’s, Wendy’s, and Burger King have all closed several locations this year, with more closures expected in 2026. Wendy’s plans to close around 300 stores by the end of 2026, while Burger King already shuttered multiple restaurants after one of its franchisees filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April. “Consumers are saying, ‘We’re struggling, or we’re beginning to struggle or we’re thinking more carefully about what we spend,'” said Harvard Business School Consultant and Lecturer on Restaurants Michael S. Kaufman. “I don’t know that the ability to maintain the large fleets of traditional casual dining restaurants can continue.” For many Americans, these closures feel almost personal, becoming a reminder that even longtime chains aren’t immune to economic challenges.
