Arby's cofounder, Leroy Raffel, who helped launch the iconic roast beef spot in ... trends now
Arby's co-founder Leroy Raffel died aged 96 and has been remembered as a 'truly visionary leader' after helping start the now $3.9 billion fast food chain.
Raffel 'passed away peacefully at home' on Tuesday according to legacy.com and is survived by his four children, Ken, Janet, Jim, Nancy and his eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He grew up in the restaurant business, living in the Leslie Hotel in New Castle, Pennsylvania and later helped build the popular sandwich restaurant which started with just 10 seats, 20 parking spaces and 69 cent roast beef sandwiches, to its modern success.
The visionary restaurant owner's death was announced by Arby's in a tribute post on Facebook with an image of Raffel and his brother, Forrest, who died aged 86 in 2008, holding a giant roast beef sandwich in front of an Arby's sign.
Arby's co-founder Leroy Raffel (left) has died aged 96 and has been remembered as a 'truly visionary leader' after helping start the now $3.9 billion American fast food sandwich chain. He's seen posing with a huge roast beef sandwich and his brother Forrest, who died aged 86, in 2008
'You may not know that the 'RB' in Arby's stands for our co-founders (the Raffel Brothers) who launched the brand in 1964 behind an iconic Roast Beef sandwich,' the post reads.
'This week we mourn the loss of Leroy Raffel, aged 96, who was a truly visionary leader.
'We remain honored to carry on the legacy that Leroy and his brother Forrest created. May his memory be a blessing.'
Jim Taylor, Arby's president, also paid tribute to Raffel on the Inspire Brands website, which owns Arby's and other brands, including Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin and Jimmy John's.
The 96-year-old 'passed away peacefully at home' on Tuesday and is survived by his four children, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. He's pictured here in one of the last public sightings in 2018 aged 91
'The team and I send our heartfelt condolences to Leroy's friends, loved ones, and family, including his four children Janet, Jim, Nancy, and Ken,' Taylor said in the statement.
The brothers opened their first eatery in Boardman, Ohio, in 1964 according to Taylor describing the restaurant as an 'innovative approach to quick-service dining.'
'The Raffel brothers (RB and the namesake of the brand) debuted their first Roast Beef sandwiches for just 69 cents which was a premium item served hot, fresh, and prepared to order – a higher quality offering versus the burger chains of the time,' he said.
'On behalf of Arby's, we are making a donation in Leroy's name to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.
'Leroy's legacy will live on with his beloved brand, and we are ever grateful for his vision and commitment to Arby's.'
Before becoming the founders of Arby's, the brother's designed and equipped restaurants, hotels and institutional kitchens but 'saw the handwriting on the wall' for the future of the independent restaurateur, Raffel told The Business Journal for an August 1989 story.
They used the first letters of 'Raffel Brothers' as the basis for their restaurant's name and opened their first Arby's on U.S. Route 224 in Boardman, just west of where the township's current store is located.
Jim Taylor, Arby's president, also paid tribute to Raffel on the Inspire Brands website, which owns Arby's and other brands, including Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin and Jimmy John's. He thanked him for his legacy and said he was 'grateful for his vision'
Raffel grew up in the restaurant business, living in the Leslie Hotel in New Castle, Pennsylvania and later helped build the popular sandwich restaurant which started with just 10 seats, 20 parking spaces and 69 cent roast beef sandwiches (pictured the first Arby's in Boardman, Ohio) to its modern success
'Even in 1964, that was still the best location for a fast-food
