Arby’s is making a quiet change—here’s where you’ll notice it
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If you’ve ever found yourself on a long highway drive, a stop at Love’s Travel Center might be part of your routine—whether for gas, a snack, or a quick bite from Arby’s.
For fans of the fast-food chain, something new is quietly making its way to select locations.
It’s a small change, but one that could affect how you order and how quickly you get your food.
Arby’s is rolling it out gradually, and so far, it’s only happening at specific travel centers across the country.
So what’s different—and why now? Let’s take a look.
While fast-food giants like McDonald’s and KFC have had self-service ordering kiosks for years, Arby’s has been slower to adopt the trend.
Now, they’re getting in on the action—but only at the 112 Arby’s restaurants located within Love’s Travel Stops across the country.
So why just these locations?
According to Joe Cotton, Love’s Vice President of Food Service, it’s all about serving people who are on the go.
“This technology doesn’t just improve the guest experience—it transforms our operations,” Cotton said.
That includes faster service, fewer mistakes, and a smoother process overall, especially important for those in a hurry.
The kiosks come with helpful features designed for accessibility and ease of use:
This makes the experience not just faster—but smarter—for regular road trippers and tech-savvy customers alike.
Believe it or not, this isn’t the first time Arby’s has experimented with touchscreen ordering.
Back in 1991, a franchise in Minneapolis tested an early version of kiosk ordering.
At the time, it was a novelty—and according to one Arby’s executive, “When you're doing your own ordering and someone is running the food, it seems like it's all going much faster.”
Despite that early test, the concept didn’t take off—until now.
Today, kiosks are almost expected in many fast-food chains, especially in busy urban areas and travel hubs.
And while they offer convenience and customization, not everyone is sold on the idea.
Critics argue that self-service technology reduces the need for front-line workers, potentially leading to fewer job opportunities in a sector where many people get their first work experience.
Others worry it takes away the human touch that makes dining out more personal.
But supporters say the benefits are hard to ignore: faster service, fewer errors, and a more flexible experience for customers who prefer to take their time or avoid the counter altogether.
For older adults or anyone who prefers not to wait in line or shout over a noisy kitchen, kiosks can make fast food more comfortable and accessible.
Whether you’ve used a kiosk before or are seeing one for the first time, it’s clear that digital ordering is here to stay.
Many other US chains—and international ones, like McDonald’s and KFC—have already made the shift.
For some, it’s a welcome convenience. For others, it raises questions about what’s being lost along the way.
Will future fast food visits come with fewer conversations and more screens? Or is this simply a way to make things faster and easier?
Read next: The good and the bad: Changes behind your favorite French fries and what you need to know!
Have you used a self-service kiosk at a fast-food restaurant? Did it improve your experience—or make it more frustrating? And how do you feel about this change coming to Arby’s? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
For fans of the fast-food chain, something new is quietly making its way to select locations.
It’s a small change, but one that could affect how you order and how quickly you get your food.
Arby’s is rolling it out gradually, and so far, it’s only happening at specific travel centers across the country.
So what’s different—and why now? Let’s take a look.
Arby’s is testing a new service feature at select travel stop locations across the US. Image Source: YouTube / Yahoo Finance.
A limited but strategic rollout
While fast-food giants like McDonald’s and KFC have had self-service ordering kiosks for years, Arby’s has been slower to adopt the trend.
Now, they’re getting in on the action—but only at the 112 Arby’s restaurants located within Love’s Travel Stops across the country.
So why just these locations?
According to Joe Cotton, Love’s Vice President of Food Service, it’s all about serving people who are on the go.
“This technology doesn’t just improve the guest experience—it transforms our operations,” Cotton said.
That includes faster service, fewer mistakes, and a smoother process overall, especially important for those in a hurry.
Also read: Target’s New Checkout Rule Could Leave You Empty-Handed—Here’s Why You Might Want to Rethink Your Shopping Trip!
Features built for today’s travelers
The kiosks come with helpful features designed for accessibility and ease of use:
- They’re ADA-compliant and offer English and Spanish language options.
- Travelers can connect their orders with the Love’s Connect app and My Love’s Rewards program to earn loyalty points and skip the line.
- You can even order ahead from your phone, making pickup quick and contact-free.
This makes the experience not just faster—but smarter—for regular road trippers and tech-savvy customers alike.
Also read: 7 stealthy tricks fast-food giants use to make you open your wallet!
A comeback three decades in the making
Believe it or not, this isn’t the first time Arby’s has experimented with touchscreen ordering.
Back in 1991, a franchise in Minneapolis tested an early version of kiosk ordering.
At the time, it was a novelty—and according to one Arby’s executive, “When you're doing your own ordering and someone is running the food, it seems like it's all going much faster.”
Despite that early test, the concept didn’t take off—until now.
Today, kiosks are almost expected in many fast-food chains, especially in busy urban areas and travel hubs.
And while they offer convenience and customization, not everyone is sold on the idea.
Also read: You won’t believe the new item Arby’s is including in their latest insane meal deal!
The pros and cons of fast-food automation
Critics argue that self-service technology reduces the need for front-line workers, potentially leading to fewer job opportunities in a sector where many people get their first work experience.
Others worry it takes away the human touch that makes dining out more personal.
But supporters say the benefits are hard to ignore: faster service, fewer errors, and a more flexible experience for customers who prefer to take their time or avoid the counter altogether.
For older adults or anyone who prefers not to wait in line or shout over a noisy kitchen, kiosks can make fast food more comfortable and accessible.
Also read: Arby’s makes a surprising legal vow to bring back this beloved menu item—find out what it is!
A sign of where the industry is heading?
Whether you’ve used a kiosk before or are seeing one for the first time, it’s clear that digital ordering is here to stay.
Many other US chains—and international ones, like McDonald’s and KFC—have already made the shift.
For some, it’s a welcome convenience. For others, it raises questions about what’s being lost along the way.
Will future fast food visits come with fewer conversations and more screens? Or is this simply a way to make things faster and easier?
Read next: The good and the bad: Changes behind your favorite French fries and what you need to know!
Have you used a self-service kiosk at a fast-food restaurant? Did it improve your experience—or make it more frustrating? And how do you feel about this change coming to Arby’s? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
