The Complete History of Arby’s Logo: Evolution, Meaning & Impact

The Arby’s fast food franchise may not be as famous as McDonald’s, Wendy’s, or Burger King, but it does not establish a legendary brand. Arby’s began selling the famous Roast Beast Sandwich and established its influence by providing the world with an alternative to burgers and chicken sandwiches. The first time I saw Arby’s staple Roast Beast Sandwich was the original Arby’s logo. We have been familiar with the light red logo of this fast food chain for nearly ten year. Since its inception in 1964, this fast food company has developed incredibly, as has the franchise logo. Let’s examine how the logo evolved with the times and how the company evolved.

Part 1: Meaning and History

Arby’s founded in 1964 by Leroy Raffel and Forrest Raffel and began as a sandwich store in Boardman, Ohio. Unlike what generally believed, the name ” Arby’s ” not derived from “roast beef,” but from the initial letter R.B., which represents the Raffel brothers.  By the 1970s, Arby’s had expanded rapidly and introduced innovations like self-service kiosk terminals. Over the years, Arby’s has demonstrated how cute logos for your brand can create a lasting identity and make a business instantly recognizable.

1964 – 1976

At the beginning, the Arby’s logo created with the visibility of the highway in mind. They designed an oversized cowboy hat with a vintage Western feel. At the top of this two-tone brown emblem is a white letter that reads “Arby’s Roast Beef Sandwich.” At the bottom of the hat is the phrase “IS DELICIOUS.” Various fonts used to distinguish between these two parts. On the other hand, the latter is a slender font characterized by concise and pointed lines.

1975 – 2012

By 1975, comprehensive illustrations transformed by adopting a red silhouette representing the characteristic shape of the Tengalong hat. Redundant brand texts condensed into more concise and daring Arby’s. The design team then softened all the sharp edges and strategically placed the name at the middle of the hat. This arrangement divided the contours of the continuous hat into two supple bands, creating a more modern and visually appealing look that aligned with the trend of colorful logos gaining popularity in branding.

2012 – 2013

The Fast Food Restaurant, which is celebrating half a century, chose to revamp its brand identity. Many have speculated that this shift was an attempt to divert negative reputation from some controversy, but the most notorious was the case in which a guest discovered a finger detached during a meal. This image change was in line with the publicity phrase “slicing freshness.” Reflecting this catchphrase, the apostrophe was reconstructed as a round rotating knife and placed on the letter “s.”

2013 – Present

Arby’s reflected on the past failures and decided to review the roots of the iconic visual. The design team drew inspiration from the emblem introduced in 1975. The contours were fine-tuned with a modern touch while maintaining a classic essence. The text element reflects the brand’s historical heritage and chose a bold typeface characterized by an emphasized rectangular line. This shift was both a respect for the past and an acceptance of the evolving branding situation.

Font

The name of logo fonts used in the Arby’s logo 2017 is Sanchez Black. However, let’s point out that this typeface has been modified several times to match the design of the entire logo (for example, see “b”).

Color

The bright, eye-catching red shades used in the simple Arby’s logo are suitable for attracting customers. Furthermore, according to psychological research, red tends to make people act fast (including eating!) and is one of the most popular logo colors for fast food chain design.

Part 2: What is the Uniqueness of the Arby’s logo?

It is best to wonder what Arby’s emblem is different from millions of other logos around the world. After all, it is natural to think that this logo is different because it is only the fast food logo that we regularly see. The logo element is a quick response. Several elements made the logo stand out, resulting in the name being engraved as a unique logo. Here are some features that make this logo impressive and stand out.

Timeless

This logo is a true classic that has established its position. The design combines the brand’s individuality with the elements of the restaurant to create timeless marks. This logo became a classic because the brand has maintained relatively consistent features over the years. Since the creation of the brand, it is easy to recognize because it uses the same logo colors and basic design. Branding and logo elements have been consistent for a long time, it became classic.

Simple

The customer wants the logo to be recognized and easy to understand. Therefore, unique logos do not attract customers’ eyes. It is important not to have too much content, but to have a design that is neat and has a point. The Arby’s logo is precisely the name and simple symbol. Because they have maintained the same graphic element for more than 50 years. The simple emblem and the consistency of the time have won the loyalty of the franchise.

Be modest

The key to a truly excellent logo is to be modest. What is a modest logo? It is to reduce the simple and symbolic design elements. With simple elements, the logo can be used for various materials and can be understood at a glance.

The logo is Scalable

From large screens to small screens, the Arby’s logo adapts to everything. You can match billboard, van, business card, website, and other marketing media. Furthermore, this logo is highly versatile because it is a minimal layout.

Related Logo

The Arby’s logo uses essential graphic elements that resonate with the food industry. The famous hat used in logo design and its red color match the food business. Therefore, when consumers see the logo, saliva comes out.

Part 3: Arby’s Logo Impact

Following points will tell the story how Arby’s logo has impact on fields:

Brand Identity

The Arby’s logo plays a major role in creating the identity of the brand. It’s not just about delicious sandwiches, it’s about feeling. Freedom, bold, and fun. And that is what Arby’s logo brings.

Memorized Elements

The logo is all to be remembered, and the Arby’s logo does exactly that. Who can forget that big and bold cowboy hat and fiery red color? Every time I see a cowboy hat or a red color, I think of Arby’s.

Arby’s in movies and TV

Have you noticed the Arby’s logo in movies or TV shows? Quietly but with a strong presence. It is part of our cultural landscape as a symbol of fast food and American lifestyle.

Part 4: Facts about Arby’s that You don’t know

Following are the main facts of Arby’s logo:

1. Arby’s was not named after a person.

Many people believe that the restaurant Arby’s name was named after a man named Irby. But Arby’s was named after two founders. Arby’s was born in the 1960s by Raffel brothers Leroy and Forrest. They chose another name because the name “Big Tex” they wanted to use was already used. He chose “RB” to represent the Raffel brothers.

2. 13 hours commercial

The restaurant wanted to prove that the Smokehouse Brisket Sandwich was smoked for 13 hours, so it aired a commercial depicting it. They filmed the process and broadcast it so that viewers could witness the cooked brisket over 13 hours.

3. Arby’s had only potato cakes.

The next time you visit Arby’s, you might order a large volume of curly frames, but there were times when you could only eat potato cakes. Until 1970, the main side dish was a potato cake rather than a French fly. Then, in 1988, Curly Fly, which we now know as a side menu to eat at Arby’s, debuted.

4. Arby’s is deployed in 5 countries

It expanded to almost every state in the United States and four other countries. Arby’s is only available in two states: Rhode Island and Vermont. If you are traveling abroad, you can eat Arby’s in Canada, Qatar, UAE and Turkey.

Part 5: Who established the Arby’s Food Chain?

Arby’s was founded by Forest and Leroy Rafel. Leroy was born on March 13, 1927, Forrest on May 14, 1922. Jacob Raffel and Anne Raffel are parents. Forrest graduated from Cornell University and Leroy from Pennsylvania University.

Forrest Rafel’s Legacy

They went their separate ways, Forrest was in hotel management and Leroy devoted himself to finance. The Rafel brothers fought for the United States during World War II. Forrest’s brother Leroy served in the National Reserve Army when Forrest was in the Air Force. In 1964, Forrest and Leroy established Arby’s Restaurant with different academic knowledge and skills. Forrest died in 2008 leaving behind his wife Gloria and about nine children.

Leroy’s Leadership Roles

Leroy and Gloria are the parents of four children: Kenneth, Janet, James, and Nancy. Both brothers have careers. Leroy served as president and chairman of various organizations. Raffel Brothers, York Mahoning, and Arby are examples.

Impact Beyond Retirement

His high brother Forrest likewise went through many jobs until his death. He served as president of the Temple of Israel in New Castle. He was also a board member of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. Despite their retirement, their heritage has a positive impact on the world.

Part 6: Arvin AI: Analyzing Trends for Stronger Branding

Arvin AI is a simple software that allows companies to better their logos and branding.  With the technology of AI, it examines if a logo can work and would suit a company’s image. Companies can apply Arvin AI to enhance logos to become appealing and easy to identify. It also monitors trends in the marketplace to update brands.

Key Features of Arvin AI

• Logo Analysis: Arvin AI verifies whether a logo is clear, appealing, and effective.
• Branding Insights: It provides input regarding how good a logo is at representing a brand’s identity.
• Market Trends: Arvin AI researches what are trending designs and recommends changes.
• Competitor Analysis: It compares logos with rivals to identify strengths and weaknesses.
• Color Psychology: Arvin AI describes how colors influence customer emotions and decisions.

Steps to Use Arvin AI for making Logo

Step 1: Visit the Arvin AI Website

Begin by navigating to the logo creation page at Arvin AI, where you can start designing your unique Arby’s logo.

Step 2: Provide Business Details

Enter essential information about your Arby’s business, including its name and category. This helps the AI tailor logo designs specific to your brand’s identity.

Step 3: Select Your Industry

Choose the Arby’s industry or another relevant category from the list. This will help the AI refine logo styles and design suggestions based on your industry.

Step 4: Choose a Design Style

Browse through the available design styles and select one that aligns with your brand’s vibe. If none stand out, you can skip this step and let the AI suggest a style.

Step 5: Review Logo Ideas

The AI will generate multiple logo options based on your inputs. Evaluate the designs that resonate with your brand’s image and message.

Step 6: Customize Your Logo

Personalize your selected logo by adjusting colors, fonts, icons, and layouts to match your fast food brand’s visual identity and style.

Step 7: Download Your Logo

Once satisfied with your logo design, download it in high-quality formats like PNG or SVG for seamless use across websites, social media, and marketing materials.

Conclusion

The Arby’s logo is one of the most famous in history and purely highlights and influences the fast food business. Although Arby’s is not as well-known as its competitors, this iconic fast food company has been known for its legendary roast beef sandwiches. A good logo makes people recognize and trust a brand. Arby’s’ logo will evolve as it grows, but will always retain its identity. If you require a great logo, use Arvin AI. It provides intelligent suggestions to make logos easy, rememberable, and powerful for branding.

FAQs

Why did Arby’s change its logo over the years?

Arby’s altered its logo to remain current and marketable. Every new design kept the brand fresh and easy to recognize.

What does the cowboy hat in the Arby’s logo represent?

The cowboy hat represents a Western theme and Arby’s focus on full meals. It represents tradition and distinguishes the brand from fast food companies.

How does Arvin AI help businesses with logo and branding analysis?

Arvin AI provides valuable suggestions on logos and branding improvement. Arvin AI assists companies in recognizing what suits the customers and what’s popular in the market.

What is Arbys named for?

The chain was started by two brothers, Leroy and Forrest Raffel, and they wanted to call it “Big Tex.” When they found out someone in Akron, OH, had already called dibs on the name, they went with the second best option – “Arby’s”, after R.B., the initials of the Raffel Brothers.