Introduction
Arby’s has carved out a unique niche in the fast-food landscape with its focus on roast beef sandwiches, curly fries, and a menu that sets it apart from the typical burger-centric chains. With over 3,400 locations across the United States, the company employs a large number of crew members — many of them part-time workers and students looking for flexible, entry-level employment.
This guide is based on a comprehensive review of dozens of real employee experiences shared across job review sites, forums, and social media — not a single person’s opinion, but a balanced summary of what actual workers report.
Here’s everything you should know before applying for a crew member position at Arby’s.
What You’ll Actually Do
As an Arby’s crew member, your responsibilities cover the full spectrum of fast-food operations. On any given shift, you might be working the front counter taking orders and processing payments, assembling sandwiches on the line, slicing freshly roasted beef on the deli slicer, preparing sides and drinks, working the drive-thru, or handling cleaning and restocking tasks.
Arby’s distinguishes itself from many competitors by roasting its own beef in-house, which means crew members often have additional food prep duties that you wouldn’t find at chains that rely entirely on pre-made ingredients. Learning to operate the meat slicer and manage the roasting schedule is part of the training process.
During peak hours — lunch and dinner rushes — the pace intensifies significantly. Drive-thru accuracy and speed are closely tracked, and crew members are expected to multitask efficiently. Quieter periods are dedicated to deep cleaning, restocking supplies, prepping ingredients for the next rush, and completing other maintenance tasks.
Pay & Hours
Arby’s crew members typically earn between $10 and $14 per hour, with the national average sitting around $12 per hour as of 2025–2026. Starting pay usually aligns with the local or state minimum wage, with modest increases possible after a few months of consistent performance.
For a part-time crew member working 20 to 25 hours per week at $12 per hour, weekly take-home before taxes is approximately $240 to $300, or roughly $12,500 to $15,600 annually. Full-time employees working 35 to 40 hours can expect around $420 to $480 per week, translating to about $21,800 to $24,960 per year.
Most Arby’s locations offer employee meal discounts — typically 50% off or a free meal during your shift, depending on the franchise. Benefits like health insurance and paid time off are generally reserved for full-time employees. Pay is typically biweekly.
Scheduling is widely praised for its flexibility. Many reviewers specifically note that Arby’s works well for students because managers are willing to accommodate school schedules and exam periods.
Pros
Easy to learn: Many crew members describe the job as straightforward, with a manageable learning curve. The training process covers each station, and most workers feel comfortable within a few weeks.
Flexible scheduling: Arby’s is frequently praised for working around school schedules, making it a popular choice among high school and college students who need part-time hours.
Low-stress compared to some chains: Several reviewers note that Arby’s tends to be less hectic than burger-heavy competitors, partly because of lower customer volume at many locations and a more manageable menu.
Free or discounted food: Employee meal benefits are a consistent positive across reviews, with most locations offering generous food perks during shifts.
Good for building basic skills: The role provides solid experience in customer service, food preparation, cash handling, and teamwork — all transferable skills that look good on a resume.
Cons
Below-average pay: At around $12 per hour nationally, Arby’s crew member wages are frequently described as low relative to the work required. Many employees feel the pay doesn’t reflect the effort, especially during busy shifts.
Slow or nonexistent raises: A common frustration is that raises are small and take a long time to process. Some employees report working for months without any pay increase despite strong performance.
Management issues: Like many franchise-operated chains, management quality varies significantly. Complaints about rude managers, poor communication, and favoritism appear regularly in reviews.
Physically tiring: Standing for entire shifts, working near hot ovens and fryers, and handling constant cleaning duties take a physical toll, particularly during longer shifts.
Limited advancement opportunities: Some crew members feel that there’s no clear path to promotion, especially at smaller locations where management positions rarely open up.
Tips for New Employees
Learn the meat slicer early: One of the unique aspects of working at Arby’s is the in-house roast beef preparation. Getting comfortable with the slicer quickly will make you more versatile and valuable to the team.
Communicate your availability clearly: Take advantage of the flexible scheduling by being upfront about your availability from day one. This helps prevent being scheduled for shifts that conflict with school or other commitments.
Don’t expect fast raises — but do ask: While raises can be slow, proactively asking your manager about performance reviews and pay increase timelines shows initiative and keeps the conversation open.
Stay busy during slow periods: Managers notice crew members who take initiative during downtime — cleaning, restocking, and prepping without being asked. This can influence scheduling preferences and future raise considerations.
FAQ
Is Arby’s a good first job? Many former employees say yes. The work is described as relatively easy to pick up, the scheduling is flexible, and the environment is often less intense than higher-volume fast-food chains. It’s a solid place to build foundational work skills.
Does Arby’s drug test crew members? Policies vary by franchise, but many Arby’s locations do not drug test for entry-level crew member positions. Some may test for management roles or after workplace incidents. Check with your specific location during the application process.
How often do Arby’s crew members get paid? Most Arby’s locations pay on a biweekly schedule, meaning you’ll receive a paycheck every two weeks. Some franchise owners may have different pay schedules, so confirm during your onboarding.
Conclusion
Working at Arby’s as a crew member is a straightforward fast-food job with some appealing perks — flexible hours, free food, and a relatively low-stress environment compared to some competitors. It’s an especially good fit for students and first-time workers who need a schedule that bends around other commitments.
The main drawbacks are the below-average pay and slow raise structure, which can make the job feel unrewarding over time. If you’re looking for a solid entry-level position that teaches you the basics of food service and customer interaction without overwhelming intensity, Arby’s is a reasonable choice. Just go in with realistic expectations about the compensation and be proactive about your career development if you want to move up.