Removing traffic cones from the drive-thru and flipping on the “Open” sign above the front door signaled the beginning of business at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 21, for the newly constructed Arby’s fast-food restaurant positioned within the Eagle’s Landing business district in Elma.

Originally breaking ground in July 2022, Arby’s was at first set to open its doors to the public in the fall but, due to unclear reasons, was delayed until now. However, that didn’t stop people from welcoming the new fast-food giant in the rapidly growing East County town as multiple people could be seen waiting in their cars for the drive-thru to open as early as 9:30 a.m.

“It’s just nice to have some more variety in this town. I mean Burger King is great and all, but it was the only restaurant in town where you could get food without leaving your vehicle,” said Steve Harlin, who was one of several individuals waiting in the drive-thru following the grand opening. “Our town is growing and places like this will really help give our people the ability to find some quick employment.”

With Arby’s now open, it marks the third establishment to find a home within Eagle’s Landing alongside Burger King and Starbucks. Elma city officials noted earlier this year that construction of a Grocery Outlet is set to begin later this spring with completion projected by the end of the year.

Gabriela Allende, who serves as the public relations manager for Arby’s, said to The Daily World via email that the corporation and the franchisee owner, Northwest Beef, are more than excited about the opportunity to “delight guests from the local community as well as travelers going to and from the Olympic mountains and ocean beaches.”

Although Northwest Beef owns most of its establishments in the greater Seattle area as well as Southern Oregon, San Diego and Utah, they noted that they “consider Elma as a great place to do business.”

Allende stated that the new Arby’s location in Elma is actively recruiting more employees and said that she was unable to answer questions about any future plans for Arby’s in the Grays Harbor County area.

For people who are interested in trying out Arby’s in Elma, dine-in hours are every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the drive-thru is open every day from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Contact Reporter Allen Leister at 360-463-3572 or allen.leister@thedailyworld.com