Why Was Arby’s Burger Discontinued?

Key Takeaways

• Limited-Time Market Test: The Wagyu Steakhouse Burger was introduced as a limited-time offering to gauge customer interest and test market demand.
• Cost and Operational Factors: The high cost of Wagyu beef compared to regular ground beef made the burger less sustainable for a permanent menu option.
• Mixed Customer Reception: Despite strong initial sales, some customer feedback questioned the authenticity and quality of the Wagyu label, even resulting in legal controversy.
• Strategic Transition: Arby’s leveraged the experience from the limited-time runs to introduce permanent burger offerings using more cost-effective, regular beef.

Introduction

Arby’s, known for its roast beef sandwiches, introduced its first traditional burger, the Wagyu Steakhouse Burger, in 2022. This was a major change from a menu without burgers in 60 years. This premium burger, made from 51% American Wagyu and 49% normal ground beef, was a strategic experiment and limited-time promotion.

The Wagyu Steakhouse Burger first attracted interested diners and received mixed reviews. Though it sold out quickly, the burger was criticized for its quality and authenticity. Thus, Arby’s discarded this version in favor of a cheaper, more scalable burger made from normal beef. This article explains the discontinuation and Arby’s lessons.

Background

Before the Wagyu Steakhouse Burger, Arby’s was known for roast beef sandwiches. In March 2009, Arby’s tried a “Roast Burger” concept. This early endeavor was different from the ground beef patty and short-lived. The 2022 Wagyu Steakhouse Burger was a bolder burger entry.

The $5.99 Wagyu Steakhouse Burger was billed as upscale. It was cooked sous vide and flash-fried, unlike a fast-food burger. The novel beef combination was created to deliver luxury at a low price, especially compared to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder and Burger King’s Whopper.

Reason for Discontinuation

The discontinuation of the Wagyu Steakhouse Burger can be attributed to several intertwined factors:

Market Testing and Limited-Time Strategy

Arby’s initially released the burger as a limited-time offer, essentially using it as a market test. By cycling the product back and forth—appearing on menus in May 2022, November 2022, May 2023, November 2023, and again in May 2024—the company was able to gauge customer response without fully committing to a permanent change. This approach allowed Arby’s to test new territory without risking its core brand identity.

High Cost of Wagyu Beef

One of the primary challenges with the Wagyu Steakhouse Burger was the cost associated with using Wagyu beef. Wagyu, known for its exceptional marbling and flavor, comes with a hefty price tag—around $20 per pound compared to roughly $5 per pound for regular ground beef. This significant price disparity made it difficult to sustain a premium burger as a permanent menu item in a price-sensitive fast-food environment. Although the burger was well-received in terms of sales—selling out faster than anticipated—the economics of production did not favor long-term inclusion.

Customer Feedback and Controversies

Despite its popularity, the burger did not escape criticism. Some customers and reviewers questioned whether the burger was truly representative of Wagyu beef. For example, media outlets such as The Washington Post and MassLive provided mixed reviews—ranging from “not worth the wait” to labeling it as “fake-fancy.” Moreover, a class action lawsuit in July 2022 alleged that the burger was not 100% Wagyu, claiming it contained only 51% American Wagyu and a higher proportion of regular Angus beef. This controversy, while not significantly impacting sales, certainly added reputational pressure on the brand.

Operational Challenges

Another factor that influenced the decision was the operational challenge of integrating a burger into a menu historically centered around roast beef. Arby’s kitchens were optimized for their traditional offerings, and introducing a new cooking method—particularly one involving deep-frying and a more complex preparation—posed logistical hurdles. Some discussions on platforms like Reddit highlighted how the lack of specialized equipment, such as grills, might have affected the quality of the burger, further complicating the decision to make it permanent.

Transition to Permanent Burgers

Following the discontinuation of the Wagyu Steakhouse Burger, Arby’s did not completely abandon the burger market. Instead, the brand shifted its strategy by introducing permanent burger offerings that use regular beef. These newer options, such as the Deluxe Burger and Big Cheesy Bacon Burger, are positioned as more cost-effective and scalable products. The switch to regular all-beef burgers helps the chain maintain the interest of customers while ensuring better profitability.

Wagyu Steakhouse Burger vs. Current Permanent Burgers

This table encapsulates the shift in strategy from a high-cost, experimental product to a more traditional burger offering that better aligns with Arby’s operational capabilities and financial goals.

Unexpected Findings

Legal and operational issues despite great sales made the Wagyu Steakhouse Burger saga intriguing. The class action lawsuit saying the burger did not live up to its Wagyu name did not dampen initial enthusiasm. The frequent sell-out times during its limited runs indicated great client demand. These scandals taught us that even a popular product might have sustainability concerns if it doesn’t fit long-term economic strategies.

Consumers and food reviewers also found operational difficulties more serious than expected. The intricacies of a gourmet burger were too much for Arby’s, known for its roast beef sandwiches. The chain’s equipment and cooking techniques made maintaining quality difficult, so it discontinued the premium Wagyu choice in favor of a simpler, more homogenous product.

Conclusion

Overall, strategic testing, high production costs, mixed customer opinions, and operational limitations caused the Wagyu Steakhouse Burger to be discontinued. Arby’s learned about new markets from the limited-time premium burger. Although excited, the economics of employing Wagyu beef and the hurdles of assuring product quality pushed the company to focus on more sustainable, permanent burger solutions.

By switching to standard all-beef burgers, Arby’s retained customers and improved operations and profitability. In an increasingly competitive industry, fast-food restaurants might learn from this strategic shift about combining innovation and practicality.

Arby’s Wagyu Steakhouse Burger experience shows the effectiveness of market testing in the fast-food industry. The limited-time offer let the company test a premium product, measure consumer enthusiasm, and adjust its menu approach to meet customer expectations and corporate goals.

FAQ

What was the main reason behind discontinuing the Wagyu Steakhouse Burger?

The primary reason was that the burger was intended as a market test. While it enjoyed strong initial sales, the high cost of Wagyu beef, combined with mixed customer feedback and operational challenges, made it unsustainable as a permanent menu item.

How did customer feedback influence Arby’s decision?

Customer reviews were mixed. While many praised the burger for its unique taste and premium feel, others criticized it for not being authentically Wagyu and even labeled it as “fake-fancy.” This feedback, along with a class action lawsuit alleging that the burger was not 100% Wagyu, added pressure on Arby’s to re-evaluate the product.

What changes did Arby’s make after discontinuing the Wagyu Burger?

Following the discontinuation, Arby’s transitioned to offering permanent burgers like the Deluxe Burger and Big Cheesy Bacon Burger, which are made with regular all-beef. This change helped the chain reduce costs and simplify operations while still catering to the burger market.

Was the Wagyu Steakhouse Burger ever a permanent offering?

No, the Wagyu Steakhouse Burger was always positioned as a limited-time offer meant to test market demand. Despite its popularity during limited runs, it was never intended to be a permanent menu item due to cost and operational considerations.

Is Arby’s still experimenting with new burger concepts?

While the Wagyu Steakhouse Burger is no longer available, Arby’s continues to innovate and adjust its menu. The success of their permanent burger offerings suggests that the brand is committed to refining its burger strategy in line with customer preferences and operational efficiencies.

Referenced Links

• Arby’s Menu With Prices – March 2025
• Arby’s PDF Menu (2024)
• Menu – Order Ahead Online | Arby’s
• Arby’s Is Making Burgers Permanent, Insiders Say
• Arby’s Adds First Burger to Menu
• Arby’s Wagyu Steakhouse Burger Is Returning to Menus Nationwide
• Arby’s burger review: A big, beautiful, beefy blunder
• I Tried Every Burger at Arby’s & the Best Was Bacony, Oniony Bliss
• Discontinued Arby’s Menu Items Fans Desperately Want Back
• 10 Discontinued Arby’s Items We Aren’t Getting Back
• Arby’s class action alleges wagyu burgers not 100% wagyu beef
• Should You Eat the Arby’s Wagyu Steakhouse Burger?
• I ate the Arby’s Wagyu Steakhouse Burger so you don’t have to
• Arby’s bringing back Wagyu Steakhouse Burger for a limited time
• The Truth About Arby’s Wagyu Burger: Is it Fake?
• An Arby’s Burger Just Came Back from the Dead
• Arby’s Brings Back Premium Wagyu Steakhouse Burger for Limited Time
• I tried Arby’s new Wagyu Steakhouse Burger so you didn’t have to. Here’s my review.
• Arby’s Fan-Favorite Burgers Are Back On the Menu
• Arby’s Just Quietly Discontinued These 6 Menu Items
• Arby’s Roast Burger Review
• I Ate It (So You Don’t Have To!): Arby’s All-American RoastBurger
• Arby’s Discontinued Nutrition Facts & Calories
• Arby’s – Wikipedia