Arby's thanks Jon Stewart 'for being a friend'

By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Thursday, August 6, 2015

The love/hate affair between Jon Stewart and Atlanta-based Arby's is now near completion as Stewart steps down as host of "The Daily Show" tonight.

Stewart last week gave Arby's a farewell highlighting some of his numerous fake slogans for the fast-food giant over the years. (Ironically, he just picked them randomly. He said he has never eaten there.)

"Arby's: For when you're wondering what it tastes like when a cow dies."

"Arby's: See? A lot of things cause diarrhea."

And on his second-to-last night, when referencing banks: "Arby's: A lot more than your 401K is going down the toilet"

Now Arby's has returned the favor on his final day on air, using the theme to "Golden Girls." Clearly, Arby's absorbed the blows and the marketing staff made the best of an awkward situation.

Arby's also ran an ad during Wednesday night's episode bidding Stewart farewell.

The standard dictum is "any publicity is good publicity" (with exceptions. See Bill Cosby). And perhaps Stewart's regular gastric torture of Arby's might have actually helped the "We Got the Meats" brand. It certainly raised the brand's recognition.

How has Arby's done over the years? Its ability to laugh may be because it's doing well. It has actually seen four years of growth, according to Nation's Restaurant News. Same-store sales have been up 18 consecutive quarters. It's adding 60 units this year and plans to double the pace next year. Systemwide sales were $3.3 billion in 2014. It has about 3,300 locations.

Credit Roark Capital Group, which bought Arby's from Wendy's in 2010.

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