Last Arby’s in Manitoba shuts

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This article was published 05/05/2020 (2131 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Arby’s fans will not have the chance to properly bid farewell to the province’s last standing restaurant with a roast beef sandwich and “jamocha” shake.

The final Manitoba Arby’s franchise, located in the Kildonan Place Shopping Centre, will not reopen, even as pandemic restrictions are eased on businesses.

Kildonan Place marketing manager Corey Quintaine confirmed Tuesday the tenant intends to close the restaurant best known for its sliced meat sandwiches, melts, curly fries and milkshakes.

The fast-food chain previously operated several locations in Winnipeg, including a counter in Polo Park shopping centre and a standalone location in Westwood.

During a local radio interview in early March, franchise owner Grant Tymchuk said conversations were ongoing with corporate head office to have another franchisee take over. Requests for an interview Tuesday with Tymchuk and Arby’s Canada were not returned.

The restaurant brand began in Ohio in 1964, and became an international name by 1981.

When it first introduced its Brown Sugar Bacon Sandwich in 2015, the company, which boasts the slogan — “We have the meats” — started a satirical vegetarian support phone hotline to address the temptation.