ATLANTA – Arby’s Restaurant Group Inc. recently acquired 19 Arby’s restaurants in Knoxville, Tennessee, continuing its drive to buy out small franchisees in markets where the company already has company owned restaurants. The Knoxville locations previously were operated by family owned T.G.J. & Co. Inc.
“T.G.J. & Co. and the Johnson’s have been outstanding operators and members of the Arby’s family for nearly 50 years,” said Paul Brown, CEO of Arby’s Restaurant Group. “We are proud to become the stewards of this great business several generations of the Johnson family have worked so hard to build. We will deliver a seamless transition and continue “Inspiring Smiles Through Delicious Experiences” among Arby’s loyal guests in the Knoxville area.”
Tom Johnson, Jr. began the business in 1968 when he opened his first Arby’s restaurant. Johnson was one of Arby’s early franchisees and an original board member of ARCOP, Arby’s supply chain co-operative. His son, Tom Johnson III also was active as an Arby’s Franchise Association (AFA) board member for many years.
Arby’s operates more than 3,300 restaurants worldwide.
