Provo Arby’s co-workers on quest to visit all 75 Utah restaurants
When the deep tones of Ving Rhames’ voice comes on TV saying “Arby’s. We have the Meats,” its memorable. For two Provo Arby’s co-workers and best friends, their voices are currently saying “Arby’s. We have the meets.”
James Reid and Kaleb Prince, both 18 year-old seniors at Provo High School, really wanted to see the other Arby’s franchises their boss owns, so they thought they’d take a little tour and meet their competition. It would only be about 12 restaurants.
“It was on my bucket list to see ones our owner owns and ones we have competitions with,” Reid said. In fact, the two young men have found some out-of-the-way places that had an Arby’s they didn’t know about.
But it was Prince who thought, “We should go bigger.” So a new goal was set: They made a plan using maps and starting Dec. 16 they began visiting all of the 75 Arby’s in Utah. The teens are calling it “The Great Utah Arby’s Trip.”
From Logan to St. George, the two friends are going to Arby’s, buying one item so they can get a receipt for proof and then taking selfies of themselves in front of each store.
According to Reid, while his mom at first was hesitant, she is now engaged in what the two are doing. The tour is making some great Christmas and lifetime memories for the two friends.
From the beginning, Prince’s mom was fully on board — so much so she contacted Arby’s corporate offices to tell them what the two teens were doing and they were given a $50 gift card to start them on their way.
If they can do the tour in one week, which seems to be possible — they’ll be in Logan on Thursday — then Prince said the company supposedly has some other surprises in store for them.
Prince and Reid have been besties since seventh grade when they met at Dixon Middle School. Their Provo High classmates and teachers are aware of what they are doing during the holiday break and are cheering them on.
“We’re writing down notes, taking pictures and plan to put together a video,” Reid said.
Reid has worked at Arby’s for more than a year. Prince came on this past summer.
“I used to be a custodian and that was just doing the same thing every day. Working at Arby’s is different every day,” Prince said.
They aren’t just buying an order of the famous Arby’s curly fries on this tour. Sometimes they really need lunch. Reid said his favorite is the double Beef ‘n Cheddar, while Prince likes the classic roast beef sandwich. Both said their favorite side is the mozzarella sticks.
At just about every location, the two report they have been given coupons or gift certificates to help them on their tour. They figure between gasoline and purchases they will spend about $900. It’s their Christmas gift.
When asked what they have learned from the experience, Reid said, “You can never be too prepared.” Both of them agree that no Arby’s is the same.
As for the tour, on Day One they visited eight Arby’s. On Day Two it was nine Arby’s. By the end of Day Three, they had visited a total of 32 Arby’s with 43 to go.
They started at their Provo East Bay store and travelled to St. George the first day and worked their way back north. Both are confident they will complete the tour by Friday night, just in time to be home for Christmas Eve.
After these new memories and high school graduation, Prince is planning on serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Reid is taking a year to earn and save money so he can begin his college studies at Utah Valley University.
“It’s been really fun to see where some of our co-workers used to work,” Reid said of those who transferred from one store to the other. He says he’s learned a lot.
There is one thing for sure: The two Arby’s employees can say after this tour and without hesitation, “Arby’s truly has the meats.”
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- James Reid, left, and Kaleb Prince pose in front of the Arby’s in Orem during a tour of all Arby’s locations in the state.
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- Kaleb Prince, left, and co-worker James Reid pose at the new Arby’s in Hurricane during a tour of all Arby’s locations in the state.
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- Kaleb Prince, left, and James Reid visit an Arby’s in St. George during a tour of all Arby’s locations in the state.
