Arby’s remodel, takes longer than expected

Arby’s Roast Beef located on Indiana Avenue started a remodel in March of 2020 when the restaurant’s lobby closed for the pandemic; this last month, they official closed to finish.

What was supposed to be completed through stages in a few months, has lasted two years. This location started demolition on the lobby in the new year and officially closed the store for kitchen remodel Jan. 25.

As of now, the date for reopen is unknown. When reopen is scheduled it will consist of just the drive thru, to finish up finishing touches on the lobby.

The restaurant’s lobby is going to be the biggest change cosmetically; however, the kitchen is also getting an updated introducing a new dual backline allowing for faster service. The outside of the building will also have cosmetic changes. The iconic “A” sign will be updated with a new, larger sign. The overall look of the building will be refreshed to match the new interior.

The four Arby’s restaurants located in Spokane have the same owners, allowing them to do something that many other restaurants in the area have not been able to offer their employees, paid time off during a remodel.

“It certainly has impacted our business, but I’ve always been impressed with how or owners have taken care of the staff,” Tom Kunz, the General Manager said.

“I think that our situation is extremely different in that we are being paid to stay,” Kellie Tooke, an Assistant Manager said. “In most remodeling situations the staff is left to figure out their next paycheck is coming from, at least to some extent.”

The owners made the decision to pay their staff their normal paychecks during the close. This guaranteed that many of the employees will stay with the company after the remodel and entice others to join the crew when the business reopens.

This time has given employees at this location the time to refresh after a hectic and busy two-years.

“We as employees can use this time to recharge, reset and reflect on how our personal lives are going and what we want from the future without the stress of finances getting in the way,” Tooke said.

The business was planned to be closed for only two weeks, but it has been pushed further than expected. Being pushed back has meant losses to the company that were not planned, and many of the employees are looking forward to working for their paychecks again. Management for this location are eager to reopen, being closed is no way to run a restaurant.

“As far as how this has affected the business; we’ll only fully know the answer to that once we reopen,” Tooke said. “I’d say that each week we stay closed we make our customer base nervous.”

The Indiana location is located near the Spokane Valley mall, which has created many loyal customers who visit the restaurant on a regular basis.

“By the calls I’m getting we have a lot of loyal customers who are looking forward to our re-opening,” Kunz said.

The closure has made many customers nervous they will ever reopen. Calls are places to the store daily asking the following questions.

“Will we ever reopen?” Tooke said. “Will the staff be the same? Will the prices be much higher to meet the financial needs that were needed to remodel? Will the quality of it all diminish or expand? Thankfully we have a loyal customer base, so I know it will all work out.”

Unfortunately, the only way to see the effect to the business is to wait for the reopening. Employees hope to be welcomed back by their regular customers and many more excited to see the new look.