Whether you’re a longtime fan of the roast-beef-on-onion-roll classic or you only visit Arby’s occasionally, there’s more to the fast-food chain than meets the eye. From lesser-known ordering tricks to secret menu hacks, current and former employees have shared some inside tips that can elevate your next visit.
Here are nine of the best Arby’s employee secrets. And remember, experiences vary depending on location, and you should always consider how busy the location or employees are before submitting any special requests.
Custom Orders Are Possible — but There Are Limits
Workers note that upper management is fairly strict about truly off-menu creations, since every ingredient has to be tracked. While over-the-top custom builds aren’t always allowed, secret-menu-adjacent items like a Super or Deluxe Roast Beef or a Bacon Beef ’n Cheddar are usually fine, and the occasional creative twist — like peach cobbler rolls topped with icing — does happen.
You Can Still Get Paper Coupons — but They’re Not in the Restaurant
If you’re wondering how to score old-school Arby’s paper coupons, employees say most of them don’t come from the counter at all. Instead, they’re usually sent out through mail-in coupon magazines and circulars. While some locations occasionally hand out coupons during promotions, it’s not an everyday thing. If you want the best chance at getting them, keep an eye on local mailers — especially around major promotions or seasonal deals — since that’s where most paper coupons originate.
Ask for Red Ranch in a Cup
When asked why Arby’s doesn’t offer Red Ranch in packets, one employee said that corporate doesn’t usually listen to those kinds of requests. But good news: Apparently you can ask for it in a cup (a reasonably amount, of course), and most employees will be happy to give you a little extra.
You Can Ask for Items ‘as a Wrap’ Instead of a Sandwich
If you’re watching carbs or prefer something easier to eat on the go, Arby’s will often wrap your sandwich ingredients in a tortilla for you. It’s a casual request and crew members don’t seem to mind doing it when they can.
Roast Beef Almost Never Runs Out
Worried Arby’s might be out of roast beef late in the day? Employees say that’s extremely rare. Locations are generally well‑prepared to keep their signature meat available throughout the day, even during busy hours.
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Try the Secret/Off-Menu Items — Most Locations Will Make Them
Arby’s doesn’t officially advertise a secret menu, but employees and longtime fans say many locations will still make off-menu items if you know how to ask. Popular examples include the Meat Mountain, which stacks nearly every meat Arby’s offers, the French Dip Max with extra roast beef and Swiss, a deli-style Ham & Swiss instead of the slider version, or a Double Roast Beef simply by requesting extra meat.
Even if the employee doesn’t recognize the name, describing the ingredients usually does the trick — most Arby’s workers are willing to help make it happen as long as it can be rung up properly.
The Peach Cobbler Takes a While to Fry
If you’re wondering why your order is taking a while to come out, blame the peach cobbler. It takes at least five minutes to fry, and when multiple people have ordered it, sometimes orders can get backed up. But it’s well worth the wait: “I love them and so do my customers,” says one employee.
You Can Ask for a ‘Fresh’ Fish Deluxe
Are you willing to wait for your beloved Fish Deluxe? If so — and if the Arby’s isn’t busy — you can go ahead and ask them to fry it up for you fish. Like the peach cobbler, it’ll take about five minutes to make, but you won’t have a soggy fish sandwich on your tray.
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Switch Your Bread for Free
Here’s a simple upgrade many customers don’t realize is available: You can swap the bread on almost any Arby’s sandwich at no extra charge. That means you can put your favorite filling — whether it’s a regular menu item or a secret-menu order — on a sesame seed bun, onion roll, sub roll, rye, brioche, or honey wheat bread, depending on what the location carries. It’s an easy way to change the flavor and texture of a sandwich and make a relatively inexpensive order feel much more premium. To do it, just ask to substitute your preferred bread when placing your order.
