Arby’s thinking Pierre

PIERRE — Construction of an Arby’s restaurant is set to begin in 10 days, according to Crag Hagen, a commercial real estate owner who will lease his space to the fast food chain.

The fast food restaurant known for its roast beef sandwiches, market fresh sandwiches and sauces will be located west of Hardee’s restaurant on what is now a vacant lot off W. Sioux Avenue. 

The franchisee, Bentley-Miller, will operate 18 Arby’s restaurants when the Pierre location is open. Other Bentley-Miller Arby’s restaurants are in South Dakota, Wyoming and Nebraska. The group began running Arby’s restaurants in 1986.

“The reason we selected Pierre was because it was a nice-sized town in South Dakota where there wasn’t an Arby’s at this point,” said Carter Miller, a Bentley-Miller partner. “We happen to be the operator that is in Rapid City and we were looking for a place to develop and Pierre was on that radar.”

Carter said the construction of the building will be relatively speedy as it will come to Pierre mostly pre-built. Construction will consist of putting on the roof and windows, said Carter.

Bentley-Miller has been considering opening an Arby’s in Pierre for two years and the partners believe their location will serve them well, said Carter.

“The traffic count was good and the other food restaurants were down in that area,” Carter said. “The entry point into Pierre is along there. We anticipate it to be a good addition to our company and we’re excited to be part of the Pierre community.”

The first Arby’s was opened by Leroy and Forest Raffel in 1964 in Boardman, Ohio.

In 1993, Triarc Companies Inc. purchased Arby’s and on July 25, 2005, Triarc acquired RTM Restaurant Group, Arby’s largest franchisee.

Trace Beck, Pierre Economic Development Corporation president, did not wish to comment about the new business.