Arby’s has been steadily reducing its number of restaurants nationwide, quietly closing multiple locations across the country over the past few years. The chain saw nearly 50 fewer locations between 2023 and 2024, with additional closures continuing into 2025 and 2026 as the company adjusts its overall footprint.
Two longtime Arby’s restaurants in Tuscaloosa have permanently closed, reducing the fast-food chain’s presence in Tuscaloosa County from five locations to three.
The closed locations include the restaurant at 211 University Blvd. E near the University of Alabama campus and the location at 2240 McFarland Blvd. E near Snow Hinton Park.
The closures leave three Arby’s restaurants still operating in the Tuscaloosa area, including:
5032 Oscar Baxter Drive near Lowe’s Home Improvement 3430 Buttermilk Road in Cottondale 1734 McFarland Blvd. in Northport at Northport Corners shopping center
The closures reflect a larger national trend for the restaurant chain. Reports show Arby’s experienced a net loss of dozens of locations across the country between 2023 and 2024 as restaurants continue facing higher operating costs and shifts in consumer spending habits.
While no official reason has been publicly announced for the Tuscaloosa closures specifically, the changes come as many fast-food chains nationwide reevaluate store performance and operating expenses.
For now, the remaining Tuscaloosa County locations continue serving customers across the area.
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