Arby’s is relaunching its popular Loaded Italian Sandwich this week.
The sandwich chain is bringing back the Italian option, which features three premium meats: ham, pepperoni and salami. It also comes with Swiss cheese, banana peppers, red onions, tomatoes and lettuce, all topped with Arby’s new savory garlic aioli, served on a toasted sub roll.
Why It Matters
Restaurants have increasingly been introducing new deals or seasonal items as a way to attract customers and boost foot traffic, ultimately increasing overall revenue in the long run.
Fast-food chains are facing higher costs, and inflation and economic uncertainty have caused many consumers to scale back on spending.
An Arby’s restaurant in Dawsonville, Georgia, on January 25, 2018.
An Arby’s restaurant in Dawsonville, Georgia, on January 25, 2018.
Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Arby’s
What To Know
The new Loaded Italian Sandwich is returning with a digital campaign with Jersey Shore stars Jenni “JWoww” Farley and Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi. The sandwich will be available at all Arby’s locations nationwide for a limited time.
The menu update emerged as several other restaurant chains announced major food changes, including Popeyes, which relaunched its chicken wings across U.S. restaurants with a new mild marinated base and returning sauce varieties. There are also four new dry rubs designed to broaden flavor choices for consumers for football season.
Denny’s launched a new value platform, introducing meals with prices starting at $5, along with a limited-time fall menu available through October 28.
Smoothie King also got innovative in an attempt to increase market appeal, unveiling its first-ever food menu, called the “Power Eats” menu.
What People Are Saying
An Arby’s spokesperson told Newsweek: “At Arby’s, we’re committed to delivering the best of both worlds—bold new innovations you can only find here and the return of beloved classics our fans have been craving. Nostalgia is having a major moment. It’s why we tied this launch to a beloved show like Jersey Shore with Nicole and Jenni too. We’ve seen the outpouring of love for the Loaded Italian all over social media, so bringing it back was an easy choice.”
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: “The past few weeks have been packed with new announcements from restaurant chains on new and returning menu options in a bid to get customers to visit their locations. This latest one from Arby’s, the Loaded Italian Sandwich, is an attempt to garner more foot traffic from many who once frequented their restaurants but have cut back on dining out in favor of eating at home to save money.”
What Happens Next
Other brands have had success with new menu offerings or seasonal items, and Arby’s may also increase its foot traffic with the return of the Loaded Italian Sandwich.
“We’ve seen other success stories in this industry as meal deals and new menu options peaked interest and increased profits,” Beene said. “For Arby’s, they’re hoping for the same results.”
Dining and Cooking