Hello everyone! Gather around because we have some breaking news from the heart of Hollywood. For over five decades, an iconic fast food staple has been serving up delicious meals on Sunset Boulevard, but sadly, that era has come to an end. Yes, you heard it right—Arby’s has closed its legendary location after 55 incredible years. Let’s dive into the details.
On Saturday, the beloved Arby’s near Bronson Avenue officially shut its doors. The restaurant’s famous cowboy hat sign, captured by FOX 11’s SkyFOX camera, read, “Farewell Hollywood. TY for 55 great years.” This closure marks the end of an era for a spot that has been part of Hollywood’s landscape since January 1969.
Marilyn Leviton, the 91-year-old owner who’s been with the franchise since day one, shared her heartfelt thoughts with KTLA. “Truth is, I think it was the pandemic that did us in. I really feel we would have closed during the pandemic [if it weren’t] for the federal loans,” she said. “I’m awfully sorry that it came to this.”
Her son-in-law, Gary Husch, who managed the location, explained further to the Los Angeles Times. He cited the pandemic, decreased foot traffic, rising food costs, and California’s minimum wage hike as the main reasons behind the closure. “With inflation, food costs have gone way up and the $20-an-hour minimum wage has been the nail in the coffin,” Husch stated, adding that employees were informed of the closure on Friday.
It’s a tough time for many restaurants in California. A recent study by Placer.ai revealed that the state’s new minimum wage law, which took effect on April 1, has significantly impacted restaurants with 60 or more locations. Many quick-service chains have had to raise their prices, which in turn has hurt their business.
This law, combined with rising costs and reduced customer traffic, has led to numerous closures, including 48 locations of Rubio’s Coastal Grill.
Arby’s, known for its mouth-watering roast beef sandwiches, is part of Inspire Brands, a global multi-brand restaurant company. According to their fact sheet, Arby’s is the “largest sandwich drive-thru chain in the U.S.” with over 3,600 locations across nine global markets.
Despite this widespread presence, the Hollywood location’s closure marks a significant and nostalgic loss for the community.
So there you have it, folks. Another iconic piece of Hollywood history has closed its doors, leaving behind countless memories and a big thank you to its loyal customers. Stay tuned for more updates on this story and other news from the fast-food world!
