HOLLYWOOD, CA — The Arby's on Sunset Boulevard — perhaps known better for its landmark 10-gallon hat sign than for its sandwiches — closed over the weekend after 55 years in business.
The restaurant, which closed on Saturday, had been owned by Marilyn Leviton since it opened on Jan. 5, 1969. The 91-year-old restaurateur told KTLA that she had been struggling to stay open for years. Sew On Embroidered Appliques
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Leviton said "I think it was the pandemic that did us in," citing COVID-era federal loan programs with helping the outlet stay afloat. Other factors that contributed to the store's demise were California's recent minimum-wage hike for fast food restaurants and equipment upgrades required by Arby's corporate headquarters, KTLA reported.
“I’m awfully sorry that it came to this. I think we did a good job for 55 years,” she said.
The restaurant is well-known for its enormous red, yellow and white neon sign shaped like a 10-gallon cowboy hat, which now reads "farewell Hollywood TY for 55 great years" on its marquee.
The location is one of several around the country that boast versions of the unique sign. Locally, the Reseda location also has a big cowboy hat out front.
Designed by Peskin Sign Company, the signs were built between 1964 — the year Arby's first opened in Ohio — and 1975, according to Offbeat L.A.
Arby's comes in at No. 18 in QSR Magazine's 2023 ranking of the biggest fast-food chains. At the time of publication, the industry magazine counted 3,415 Arby's locations, compared to Subway's over 20,000 stores and McDonald's 13,444 locations.
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