The following is a message from Arby’s President, Jim Taylor.

Arby’s co-founder Leroy Raffel has passed away at the age of 96.

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.

Leroy and his brother, Forrest, founded Arby’s in Boardman, Ohio in 1964 with 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.

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.