Milford has the meats: Arby's begins service after long wait

MILFORD — Curly fries, anyone?

If the seasoned side dish is a favorite, you’re in luck, as an Arby’s location is once again available in Milford.

The eatery’s doors opened Wednesday, along U.S. 113, across from Ruby Tuesday.

Gordon Abercrombie, vice president of food service for the establishment’s manager, Cato Gas & Oil Co., helped get the site up and running.

“This is something that we have been hoping to do for a while and worked very hard to get to the finish line,” he said. “We are just very excited to be here and employing people here in the city.”

A former Arby’s location, also on U.S. 113, closed some years ago, and the spot was rebuilt to become a Popeyes.

Now, Milford’s newest restaurant sits on the site of the former Shore Distributors, which closed in 2021. Shortly after, a sign was posted on the lot reading, “Curly Fries?” leading residents to speculate about the business’s famous potatoes and whether they would be coming soon.

Mr. Abercrombie said Arby’s management is taking pride in the reemergence.

“We have a lot of employees at Cato that are based out of the Milford area,” he noted. “It is an area that we have always wanted to represent because it makes our employees proud.”

And, as Milford’s population prospers, there will be further needs for food choices.

“The city of Milford is building houses left, right and center, and the population continues to grow,” Mr. Abercrombie added. “With that, there needs to be more food options.

“Arby’s provides a unique corner to that market by offering fast food that is convenient, (with) great quality and with great customer service. Bringing jobs to the community is also really important.”