What Time Does Arby’s Serve Lunch? Start Time, Hours & Full Schedule (2026)
Planning a trip to Arby’s and wondering what time does Arby’s serve lunch? The short answer is that most U.S. locations start serving lunch at 10:00 AM, seven days a week. Locations that also offer breakfast switch to the Arby’s lunch menu at around 10:30 AM. Once Arby’s lunch hours begin, the full menu — roast beef sandwiches, Beef ‘n Cheddar, Curly Fries, milkshakes — stays available right through closing time. There is no lunch cut-off, and no separate dinner menu switchover. This guide covers the exact Arby’s lunch start time by day, location type, and city so you can plan your visit confidently.
Quick Answer — What time does Arby’s start serving lunch?
10:00 AM at most U.S. locations, every day
Breakfast-serving locations transition to the Arby’s lunch menu at 10:30 AM. No cut-off — the full menu stays available until closing.
Why Arby’s Lunch Starts Earlier Than Other Chains
One of the most practical advantages of Arby’s lunch hours is how early they begin. While chains like McDonald’s and Wendy’s keep customers on a breakfast-only menu until 10:30 AM or 11:00 AM, Arby’s operates differently. The vast majority of its 3,400+ U.S. locations do not run a breakfast program at all — meaning when doors open at 10:00 AM, the full Arby’s menu is immediately available with no transition wait.
This early Arby’s lunch time is especially useful for shift workers, early travelers, and anyone who prefers eating before the traditional noon rush hits. Arby’s built its entire brand around roast beef sandwiches and hearty lunch items — the Classic Roast Beef has been on the menu since 1964 — so unlike many competitors, the lunch menu is the full identity of the restaurant, not a secondary offering.
Arby’s Lunch Hours — Weekly Schedule
Arby’s lunch hours stay consistent throughout the week at standard locations. The main variation is on Fridays and Saturdays, when many locations stay open later due to higher evening demand. The Arby’s lunch start time remains 10:00 AM every day of the week without exception at most stores.
Day | Lunch Starts | Typical Closing |
Monday | 10:00 AM | 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
Tuesday | 10:00 AM | 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
Wednesday | 10:00 AM | 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
Thursday | 10:00 AM | 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
Friday | 10:00 AM | 10:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
Saturday | 10:00 AM | 10:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
Sunday | 10:00 AM | 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
These represent typical Arby’s hours across the United States. Your specific location may differ slightly — confirm via the Arby’s app before visiting.
When Does Arby’s Start Serving Lunch at Breakfast Locations?
A small number of Arby’s restaurants — primarily those near airports, interstate highways, and high-traffic travel corridors — serve a morning breakfast menu starting as early as 6:00 AM. At these locations, Arby’s lunch starts at approximately 10:30 AM once the breakfast service wraps up.
Even at breakfast locations, the wait is minimal. By 10:30 AM the full Arby’s lunch menu — roast beef sandwiches, crispy chicken, wraps, Curly Fries, milkshakes — is completely available through both dine-in and drive-thru service.
Standard Location (No Breakfast)
✓ Opens at 10:00 AM
✓ Full lunch menu from minute one
✓ Approx. 90% of U.S. locations
✓ No transition gap at all
Standard Location (No Breakfast)
✓ Opens at 6:00 AM
✓ Breakfast runs 6:00 – 10:30 AM
✓ Arby’s lunch begins at 10:30 AM
✓ Highways, airports, travel plazas
Arby’s Lunch Hours by Location Type
Arby’s lunch time can vary slightly depending on the environment the restaurant operates in. Standalone restaurants almost always follow the standard 10:00 AM schedule. Mall food courts and highway plaza locations may adjust based on the building’s operating hours or peak travel demand patterns.
Location Type | Lunch Starts | Notes |
Standalone restaurant | 10:00 AM | Opens directly to full lunch menu — most consistent |
Breakfast-serving location | 10:00 AM | After breakfast service ends |
Highway / travel plaza | 6:00 – 10:00 AM | Lunch available after breakfast transition |
Mall food court | Follows mall hours | Typically 10:00 – 11:00 AM by foot traffic |
Airport location | Varies by terminal | Some serve full menu from as early as 9:00 AM |
Does Arby’s Have a Lunch Cut-Off Time?
No — and this is one of the best practical things about Arby’s lunch hours. Once the Arby’s lunch menu starts, it stays active for the entire rest of the operating day. There is no separate dinner menu, no afternoon switchover, and no items that disappear after a certain time.
This means Arby’s effectively serves Arby’s lunch all day — making it a genuinely flexible fast-food option for shift workers, late lunchers, and evening visitors.
Happy Hour tip: Arby’s Happy Hour runs 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM at many locations, offering discounted sliders, Curly Fries, and fountain drinks. You can take full advantage of Happy Hour pricing while still ordering any full Arby’s lunch item alongside it.
Arby’s Lunch Hours on Holidays
Arby’s stays open on most major U.S. federal holidays with Arby’s lunch time starting at the standard 10:00 AM. The primary exception is Christmas Day, when the large majority of locations remain closed.
Holiday | Lunch Available? | Typical Start Time |
New Year’s Day | Yes | ~10:00 AM |
Memorial Day | Yes | Standard hours |
4th of July | Yes | ~10:00 AM |
Labor Day | Yes | Standard hours |
Thanksgiving Day | Limited locations | Reduced hours, varies |
Christmas Eve | Most locations open | May close earlier than usual |
Christmas Day | Mostly closed | Airport/highway only |
Easter Sunday | Most locations open | Standard or reduced hours |
Note: Individual franchise owners make final calls on holiday hours. Always check the Arby’s app or call your nearest location the day before any major holiday to confirm.
Best Time to Visit Arby’s for Lunch
The Arby’s lunch rush peaks sharply between 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM. The best window is between 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM — the kitchen has just prepped, food is freshest, and both drive-thru and dine-in lines are minimal.
> 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Least crowded, freshest food, fastest service — the best overall window
> 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Peak Arby’s lunch rush — expect longer wait times at counter and drive-thru
> 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Quieter again, plus Happy Hour deals start at 2:00 PM at many locations
> Weekday mornings: Noticeably less busy than weekends; Friday afternoons are typically the busiest of the week
> Order ahead via app: Use the Arby’s mobile app to pre-order and skip peak-hour wait times entirely
Arby’s Lunch Hours in Major U.S. Cities
Urban Arby’s locations generally follow the same 10:00 AM Arby’s lunch time, though high-traffic city restaurants often stay open later.
City | Lunch Starts | Typical Closing | Notes |
New York | 10:00 AM | 10 PM – Midnight | High-traffic; some locations stay open later |
Los Angeles | 10:00 AM | 10 PM – 11 PM | Standard schedule in most areas |
Chicago | 10:00 AM | 9 PM – 11 PM | Varies slightly by neighborhood |
Houston | 10:00 AM | 10 PM – 12 PM | Some extended-hour locations |
Dallas | 10:00 AM | 10 PM – 12 PM | Strong drive-thru culture |
Miami | 10:00 AM | 9 PM – 11 PM | Tourist areas may flex hours |
Atlanta | 10:00 AM | 9 PM – 11 PM | Standard franchise schedule |
Phoenix | 10:00 AM | 10 PM – 12 PM | Drive-thru heavy market |
How to Check Arby’s Lunch Hours Near You
Because Arby’s operates largely through independent franchisees, hours can differ from one restaurant to the next.
> Arby’s app: Most accurate option — tap “Find a Restaurant,” select your location, and live hours appear instantly
> Arby’s website: Visit arbys.com/locations, enter your city or ZIP code for verified current hours
> Google Maps: Search “Arby’s near me” — shows live hours, busy periods, and live open/closed status
> Call the restaurant directly: For same-day confirmation or holiday hours, a quick phone call remains the most reliable method
Frequently Asked Questions
Recent Posts