Why Did Arby’s Discontinue the Jr. Roast Beef Sandwich?

Arby’s is known for their roast beef sandwiches. The regular roast beef is a classic, but in the 2000s, they introduced a smaller version called the Jr. Roast Beef. This became a popular menu item, especially among kids and people looking for a lighter sandwich option. However, in 2015, Arby’s suddenly discontinued the Jr. Roast Beef, much to the dismay of fans.

As a longtime Arby’s customer and Jr Roast Beef enthusiast, I was disappointed when it was taken off the menu I did some digging to find out why Arby’s would get rid of such a beloved sandwich. Here’s what I discovered.

A Brief History of the Jr. Roast Beef

Arby’s first introduced the Jr. Roast Beef in 2001. It was basically a miniature version of their regular roast beef sandwich, with thin-sliced roast beef topped with a tangy red ranch sauce on a soft bun.

The Jr. Roast Beef was an instant hit. It gave customers a more compact roast beef option at a lower price point. The regular roast beef sandwich could be unwieldy and messy while the Jr. was easier to eat especially for kids.

Over the years, the Jr. Roast Beef became a menu staple. Parents would order it for their children’s meals. It was the lighter sandwich choice for adults watching their portions. The Jr. Roast Beef developed a loyal following.

Why Did Arby’s Get Rid of It?

In 2015, Arby’s suddenly removed the Jr. Roast Beef from their menu nationwide. They made no formal announcement about it. The sandwich just disappeared one day, leaving customers confused and disappointed.

I did some investigating to find out why Arby’s would abandon such a popular menu item. From what I could gather, there were a few likely factors at play:

Simplicity and Speed – Arby’s was looking to streamline operations and increase kitchen efficiency. The Jr. Roast Beef required preparing an extra sandwich component and bun in addition to the regular roast beef. Eliminating it allowed them to simplify sandwich assembly.

Menu Bloat – Over the years, Arby’s menu had expanded significantly, making operations more complex. Getting rid of underperforming and redundant items like the Jr. Roast Beef helped trim the menu down.

Lack of Differentiation – The Jr. Roast Beef was very similar to the regular roast beef, just smaller. Removing it helped differentiate the menu offerings more.

Better Options – Arby’s introduced new sandwiches like the Smokehouse Brisket and other limited time offerings around the same time. These may have made the Jr. Roast Beef seem outdated.

Customers Want It Back

While the Jr. Roast Beef may have no longer made sense for Arby’s business strategy, customers were not happy to see it go. There were many complaints across social media from longtime fans who missed being able to order their favorite compact roast beef sandwich.

Many noted that the Jr. Roast Beef was the perfect size for kids or those looking for a lighter sandwich. Some said they preferred the flavor and texture over the regular roast beef. There was an outcry for Arby’s to bring the sandwich back.

Here are some of the common refrains from disappointed Jr. Roast Beef enthusiasts:

• “My kid won’t eat the regular roast beef but loved the Jr. Bring it back for the little ones!”

• “I’m bummed the Jr. is gone. It was the right amount of roast beef for me. The regular is too much.”

• “What happened to the Jr. Roast Beef?! It was my go-to order. Bring it back!”

• “No more Jr.? That was my favorite sandwich because I could easily hold and eat it. The regular is messy.”

• “Jr. Roast Beef was better than the regular! Bring it back or I’m not going to Arby’s anymore.”

A Change.org petition was even started to try and convince Arby’s to reinstate the Jr. Roast Beef. It collected over 3,000 signatures from fans longing for its return.

Is There Any Hope for the Jr. Roast Beef’s Comeback?

So now that a few years have passed since the Jr. Roast Beef was taken off menus, could it ever make a triumphant return? There may be a glimmer of hope.

Arby’s does have a history of bringing back retired menu items by popular demand. Their Curly Fries were taken away and relaunched to great fanfare. The beloved Beef ‘n Cheddar disappeared but eventually came back after customer outcry.

If demand is still high enough, there’s a possibility Arby’s might reconsider and give the people what they want with the Jr. Roast Beef. There are a few reasons they could choose to bring it back:

• Increase sales by drawing former and new customers interested in the sandwich.

• Fill a menu gap, as they currently lack a roast beef option smaller than the regular sandwich.

• Take advantage of nostalgia and buzz marketing by reintroducing a “retro” favorite.

• Show they listen to their loyal customers by responding to pleas for its return.

Personally, I would be thrilled to be able to walk into Arby’s and order my go-to Jr. Roast Beef once again. Getting the sandwich trending on social media and continuing to voice our desire for its comeback is the best way to get Arby’s attention.

Maybe if enough past and potential future Jr. Roast Beef fans make it clear how much we want it back on the menu, Arby’s will find a way to make the sandwich work for them again. I know my friends, family, and I would be at Arby’s ready to order it the second the Jr. Roast Beef returns. Here’s hoping Arby’s listens!