How Much Does a Classic Roast Beef Sandwich Cost at Arby’s? A Detailed Price Breakdown

Arby’s classic roast beef sandwich is an iconic menu item that has been satisfying customers for over 50 years. With its thin-sliced roast beef and zesty Arby’s sauce piled high on a sesame seed bun, this sandwich is a tried-and-true favorite. But how much does this popular menu item cost in 2023? In this article, we’ll take a close look at the classic roast beef sandwich’s pricing and do a cost breakdown at Arby’s restaurants across the USA.

A Brief History of Arby’s Famous Roast Beef Sandwich

Let’s start with some background. Arby’s opened its doors in 1964 in Boardman, Ohio, founded by Forrest and Leroy Raffel – the Raffel brothers. Their goal was to create fast food around roast beef sandwiches rather than burgers. The classic roast beef sandwich was one of the original items on their menu all the way back in 1964 and continues to be a customer favorite today.

Over the years, Arby’s has made some tweaks to the classic roast beef recipe, like adjusting the thickness of the slices and the precise blend of seasonings. However, the core of this sandwich has remained consistent – thin-sliced roast beef topped with Arby’s signature tangy sauce on a toasted sesame bun. It’s a simple combination that customers just can’t get enough of!

Checking the Classic Roast Beef Sandwich Price in 2023

Now let’s get down to the key question – how much does an Arby’s classic roast beef sandwich cost in 2023? The exact price can vary a bit by location, but here is an overview:

• The base price for a classic roast beef sandwich starts at $3.99 at most Arby’s restaurants in the United States This is for the standard size sandwich

• There are larger sandwich sizes available too, which have the following prices:

  • Half pound roast beef sandwich – $5.99
  • Double roast beef sandwich – $6.59

• Depending on your location, prices may be slightly higher or lower than the base prices above. Expect to pay within the $3 to $7 range for a classic roast beef sandwich.

• Prices are a bit higher in states like California, New York, Alaska, and Hawaii. Expect to pay $4.19 to $7.59 in these areas.

• Occasionally, Arby’s runs limited-time promotions that discount the sandwich, like “2 for $6” deals. So prices may dip lower on select days.

What’s Included in the Classic Roast Beef Sandwich?

Part of what makes the Arby’s classic roast beef sandwich such a popular choice is that it’s simple but packed with flavor. Here’s an overview of what’s included

• Roast Beef – The star ingredient is Arby’s thinly sliced, slow-roasted beef. It’s roasted for over 13 hours to achieve tender, juicy meat.

• Bun – The sandwich comes on a toasted sesame seed bun. The sesame seeds provide a subtle nutty flavor and textured crunch.

• Arby’s Sauce – What sets this sandwich apart is the zesty Arby’s sauce. The creamy, tangy sauce enhances the beef flavor.

• Onions – Thinly sliced red onions are also included, providing a burst of flavor and crunch.

That covers the standard classic roast beef sandwich components. You can also customize it by adding cheese, bacon, or other ingredients for an additional cost.

What Goes Into Pricing the Classic Roast Beef Sandwich?

A lot of factors impact what Arby’s ultimately charges for their famous roast beef sandwich. Here are some of the key elements that influence pricing:

Cost of Raw Ingredients – The fresh beef and produce prices that Arby’s pays its suppliers impacts pricing. Rising commodity costs lead to higher sandwich prices.

Labor Expenses – From the cooks in the back kitchen to the servers up front, labor is a major cost. Arby’s factors wages into its sandwich pricing.

Restaurant Overhead – Rent, utilities, maintenance and other operating costs for each restaurant affects what Arby’s must charge per menu item.

Market Competition – Arby’s prices competitively based on benchmarks like McDonald’s, Subway, and other fast food chains.

Franchise Fees – Arby’s franchisees pay a percentage of sales back to the corporate office. This influences pricing decisions.

Marketing Campaigns – When running promotions and ads, Arby’s may adjust pricing to offset those extra costs.

Profit Margins – To maintain profitability, Arby’s aims for a certain margin on each sandwich. This heavily influences the final price.

As you can see, a lot goes into pricing something as simple as a roast beef sandwich! Arby’s team crunches the numbers from every angle.

How Does Arby’s Roast Beef Sandwich Price Compare to Other Chains?

Arby’s roast beef sandwich offers a good value compared to similar sandwiches across the fast food industry. Here’s a pricing comparison:

• Arby’s Classic Roast Beef Sandwich – $3.99 to $7.59

• Subway Roast Beef Sandwich – $4.99 to $10.99

• Quiznos Roast Beef Sandwich – $8.49 to $12.99

• Firehouse Subs French Dip Sandwich – $8.99 to $11.99

As you can see, Arby’s lands on the lower end of the pricing spectrum for a classic roast beef sandwich. Given its signature flavors and generous portion sizes, Arby’s sandwich is very competitively priced within the quick-service landscape.

Pro Tip: Ways to Save on an Arby’s Roast Beef Sandwich

Here are some tips to grab an Arby’s classic roast beef sandwich for less:

• Take advantage of Arby’s weekly deals and coupons – You can often score a roast beef sandwich for $2 or $3 through Arby’s weekly promotions. Sign up for email alerts to get coupons sent right to your inbox.

• Use the Arby’s app – The app regularly offers exclusive roast beef sandwich discounts and free sandwich rewards.

• Order the half pound sandwich – When very hungry, order the half pound size. You get nearly double the meat for just $2 more in most cases, making it a better value.

• Go for the roast beef slider – Priced at just $1.99, the mini slider version can save you a couple bucks. You may need to order two sliders to fill up though.

Being flexible on size and timing your visit to align with deals can help you get more bang for your buck on an Arby’s classic roast beef sandwich.

The Verdict: An Affordable Treat with Timeless Appeal

There you have it! To summarize, the cost of a classic roast beef sandwich at Arby’s in 2023 ranges from about $3.99 to $7.59, depending on your location. Given the generous portion size, quality ingredients, and signature zesty flavor, this sandwich is very reasonably priced compared to other chains. Arby’s roast beef sandwich remains an affordable treat with timeless appeal.

So next time you get a craving for tender sliced roast beef doused in tangy sauce, stop by your local Arby’s. Order the classic sandwich to enjoy a taste of nostalgia and one of fast food’s greatest hits. Just be sure to take advantage of any weekly deals or app discounts to maximize the value you get from this iconic menu item.