Arby’s founder recalls early years of fast-food chain

Arby’s was created over 50 years ago in suburban Youngstown. The Raffel brothers, owners of a local restaurant supply company, opened the first Arby’s in 1964 on Boardman-Poland Road in Boardman. Although founders Forrest and Leroy Raffel were present in the day-to-day operations, they were not widely known. They didn’t use clowns or cartoon characters to attract station wagons full of kids. The company slogan, “Arby’s Roast Beef Sandwich is Delicious,” seemed simple, but when stated on a massive, blinking, 40-foot neon sign, the message became an unquestioned marketplace fact. Arby’s, derived from the initials of Raffel Brothers, was headquartered in Liberty Township, just north of Youngstown. Although the Raffels sold the company to beverage giant Royal Crown Cola in the 1970s, many early offerings were developed locally, including the iconic roast beef sandwich and Jamocha Shake. Local companies, like Schwebel’s and the Peskin Sign Co., factored in the company’s early development. Fifty years later, it’s surprising how much of the brothers’ imprint remains on the restaurant chain. Even today, dining at Arby’s remains an adult experience. A special 50th anniversary celebration brought surviving founder Leroy Raffel to Ohio for a program hosted by the Mahoning Valley Historical Society. The event brought together former employees, franchise owners and current corporate brass. That night, Raffel spoke candidly – sometimes with great emotion – about the company he created with his late brother. Interviews by Mark C. Peyko. Videography by Ron Flaviano for Valley Spotlight and Homeplate Media. Narration by Lauren Lindvig-Housel for Valley Spotlight. The interviews occurred at the Tyler History Center on July 24, 2014. Valley Spotlight edited and broadcasted the feature in July 2022.