What does it mean for Arby's to be an 'Affiliated Program' of Moe's Southwest Grill?
Moes_Southwest_Grill Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
or Arby's, have not offered franchises in any other line of business.
Arby's is a franchisor of quick-serve restaurants operating under the Arby's® trade name and business system that feature slow-roasted, freshly sliced roasted beef and other deli-style sandwiches. In July 2011, Arby's became an Affiliated Program through an acquisition. Arby's has been franchising since 1965. Predecessors and former affiliates of Arby's have, in the past, offered franchises for other restaurant concepts including T.J. Cinnamons® stores that served gourmet baked goods. All of the T.J. Cinnamons locations have closed. As of December 29, 2024, there were 3,365 Arby's restaurants operating in the United States (2,286 franchised and 1,079 company-owned), including one multi-brand location. Additionally, as of December 29, 2024, there were 231 single-branded franchised Arby's restaurants operating internationally.
Baskin-Robbins is a franchisor of Baskin-Robbins® restaurants that offer ice cream, ice cream cakes and related frozen products, beverages and other products and services. Baskin-Robbins became an Affiliated Program through an acquisition in December 2020. Baskin-Robbins has offered franchises in the United States and certain international markets for Baskin-Robbins restaurants since March 2006. As of December 29, 2024, there were 2,245 franchised Baskin-Robbins restaurants operating in the United States.
Source: Item 1 — The Franchisor and any Parents, Predecessors, and Affiliates (FDD pages 10–23)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Moe's Southwest Grill's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Arby's is considered an 'Affiliated Program' through control with private equity funds managed by Roark Capital Management, LLC. Specifically, Arby's became an affiliated program in July 2011 through an acquisition. This means that Moe's Southwest Grill and Arby's are under the same umbrella of affiliated franchise programs managed by Roark Capital Management.
Inspire Brands, Inc. is the parent company to several franchisors, including Arby's. None of these affiliated programs operate a Moe's Southwest Grill franchise. This arrangement allows for shared resources, expertise, and potentially increased buying power across the different franchise systems within the portfolio.
For a prospective Moe's Southwest Grill franchisee, this affiliation means that while Arby's does not directly impact the operations of a Moe's franchise, it is part of a larger network of franchise systems under common ownership. Franchisees may not be able to purchase products or services from Arby's, but the affiliation signifies a connection to a broader organization with experience in the franchise industry. This could provide some level of stability or access to resources that might not otherwise be available.