Aug. 18, 2009 (Business Wire) -- Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Wendy’s/Arby’s Group, Inc. (NYSE: WEN), announced today that it has signed agreements in the first half of 2009 with 11 new and seven existing franchisees for the development of 47 new Arby’s restaurants in the U.S. and Canada.

“The crave for Arby’s slow roasted, freshly sliced roast beef and other premium, one-of-a-kind menu items keeps growing, which is why we continue to expand to reach as many of our hungry customers as possible,” said Tom Garrett, President & CEO, Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc.

During the first quarter of 2009, Arby’s signed development agreements with the following existing franchisees:

• Mike Melenchuk – Mike Melenchuk, a franchisee with one Arby’s restaurant in Nova Scotia, has signed a development agreement to open 11 more Arby’s throughout Canada.
• Michael Brandy – A franchisee with Arby’s since 1988, Michael Brandy currently owns and operates four restaurants in Ohio and Kentucky. Brandy has signed on to open three additional Arby’s restaurants in Kenton, Kentucky.
• Abdul Malik Hashim – Abdul Malik Hashim, who currently operates two Arby’s restaurants in Los Angeles, has signed a development agreement to open two more in Houston, Texas.
• Love’s Country Stores – An Arby’s franchisee for 10 years, Love’s Country Stores operates 36 Arby’s restaurants in 19 states. Love’s has signed a development agreement amendment to add two more Arby’s in South Carolina and Texas.
• J & J Ostrowski Enterprises – Jeremy and Jennifer Ostrowski, a brother and sister team, have been a part of the Arby’s system since 1987. The Ostrowskis currently own and operate 13 Arby’s restaurants in Michigan and Wisconsin and have signed a development agreement to add one more in Michigan.
• John Nickle – Franchisee John Nickle currently operates two restaurants in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada and has signed on to open one more in Red Deer, Alberta.
• Michael Schiappa – Michael Schiappa of Schiappa Restaurants, Inc., an Arby’s operator with four restaurants in the Buffalo, New York market, has signed an agreement for the development of one additional Arby’s in Depew, New York.

Arby’s is pleased to welcome the following new franchisees, who recently signed development agreements:

• Mourad Elayan – New franchisee, Mourad Elayan, has signed an agreement to open seven Arby’s restaurants throughout New Jersey.