After 50 Years, Hollywood's Arby's Bids Adieu Amid Wage Hike Drama
Strolling down Hollywood’s Sunset Boulevard, hungry pedestrians may find themselves pausing in confusion near Bronson Avenue, where an iconic fast food establishment once stood. It’s not just any eatery that has disappeared; it’s the long-standing Arby’s with its memorable cowboy hat sign. After more than five decades of serving up roast beef sandwiches and curly fries, the Arby’s at 5920 Sunset Boulevard has shuttered its doors, leaving behind a poignant message: “Farewell Hollywood. TY for 55 great years.”
The restaurant’s owner, 91-year-old Marilyn Leviton, has been at the helm since its opening in January 1969. She believes a combination of factors led to the closure, but she feels the pandemic played a particularly pivotal role. Indeed, she told KTLA that had it not been for federal loans, the restaurant might have closed during the pandemic itself. “I’m awfully sorry that it came to this,” she lamented, reflecting the sorrow shared by many long-time patrons.
Leviton’s son-in-law, Gary Husch, who served as the general manager, echoed her sentiment and elaborated on the multitude of challenges they faced. The pandemic caused a significant drop in foot traffic, a critical issue for a business located in such a bustling area. Combined with rising food costs and California’s minimum wage hike to $20 an hour, the financial strain was insurmountable. Husch noted that inflation and the subsequent increase in food prices were the final nails in the coffin. Employees were informed of the closure when they reported for their shifts on Friday, a somber end to their tenure at the beloved restaurant.
Arby’s isn’t alone in this predicament. California’s recent legislative changes have had a ripple effect across the restaurant industry. The new minimum wage law, which took effect on April 1, impacts restaurants with more than 60 locations. Most quick-service chains have responded by raising menu prices significantly, anywhere from mid-single digits to mid-teens percentage-wise. Unfortunately, these price hikes have deterred customers, further hurting business. According to FOX 11 LA, numerous restaurants in California have closed recently, including Rubio’s Coastal Grill, which shut down 48 locations in the state.
Despite the closure of this historic location, Arby’s continues to thrive globally. The franchise is the largest sandwich drive-thru chain in the U.S., boasting over 3,600 locations in nine global markets. However, the closure of the Sunset Boulevard location marks the end of an era for many Angelenos who grew up enjoying Arby’s signature sandwiches and fries.
As the cowboy hat sign bids farewell to Hollywood, long-time customers are left with fond memories of a place that stood the test of time for 55 years. The challenges that led to its closure are reflective of broader issues facing the restaurant industry in California, yet the spirit of Arby’s will continue to live on in its many other locations across the globe.
