Arby’s, the Atlanta-based fast food chain, is planning to open a location in Galion by the end of the year.
“That is the rumor,” said Doug McGuire, president of McGuire Galion Property LLC and a franchise owner of an Arby’s, 700 N. Sandusky St., in Bucyrus.
McGuire’s company purchased 38,070 square feet of property at the northwest corner of Carter Drive and Portland Way North for $320,000 on April 20, according to the Crawford County Audtior’s Office.
“Nothing is set in stone but it is our plan to build an Arby’s there,” he said. “The timing is right now.”
The location would create 25 to 40 positions depending on volume and need.
McGuire said he was looking to expand into Galion for many years. He opened the Bucyrus store in 2006 and owns other Arby’s in Marion, Findlay and Delaware.
The new store’s arrival would come as the Arby’s brand undergoes a “big expansion mode” nationwide, McGuire said.
The chain celebrates more than 50 years in business since founders Leroy and Forrest Raffel, both brothers, open the first store on U.S. Route 224 in Boardman, a suburb of Youngstown, in 1964. Arby’s now has more than 3,300 locations worldwide.
McGuire said he’s received corporate approval to build an Arby’s in the area and is waiting to receive site drawings for the store. Architects will check the drawings to verify it complies with local code before the plans are submitted to the city.
The goal is to have the store opened by November, McGuire said. He doesn’t anticipate any issues for the project.
Some Galion stakeholders welcomed the news.
“I’m excited that we are getting an Arby’s,” said Joe Kleinknecht, president and chief executive officer of the Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce. He said the new hotel being built at the intersection of state Route 598 and Brandt Road “will entice more business growth on that end of town.”
Galion Mayor Tom O’Leary said he cannot be more excited about the project.
“The McGuire family has an earned reputation as an excellent Crawford County hubbed operation,” he said.
