WTH Arby's?!!

So I go into Arby's yesterday because there's employees everywhere walking around the street with "FREE CHOCOLATE MALT" signs everywhere. "WEDNESDAY ONLY!!!" the sign reads. No catch, no fine print, just a FREE chocolate malt. There were also signs staked out in front of the restaurant.
Then I pull into the drive-thru only to find out you need to purchase a damn sandwich to get a free malt. The cheapest sandwich: $2.30 for a friggin' JUNIOR roast beef. I mean COME ON!! Needless to say, I left frustrated and with quite a chocolate craving.

My rant is complete. False advertisement at its pinnacle.

Anyone else fall for Arby's garbage yesterday??

No.  But, I, too, am outraged.

Michael Hoffman posted about a similar situation recently. Local franchisees were not posting conditions on their promotional advertising.
 
A Maryland TV station has a story about the "Freebie Wednesdays at Arby's" promotion this season:
http://www.abc2news.com/content/financialsurvival/yourquestions/story/Arbys-Offers-Up-Freeby-Wednesday/gg5Acunp6k-wMrnQsVpwxg.cspx
 
In all of the offers, a purchase is required. You can call up Arby's and turn this franchisee in. Or, if you are really, really mad you could return next Wednesday when they are giving away a Free Regular Roast Beef sandwich with any soft drink purchase. Photograph the employees, the signage, etc. Then, turn them into your consumers affairs people!
 
Google "Freebie Wednesdays at Arby's" for lots of stories about this promotion.

I e-mailed corporate, we'll see where it goes from there.
Business standards in this country are already bad enough as it is, we don't need mega-fast food chains running around with non-disclosure "freebies" running around.

If it makes you feel any better, I'm betting it was a really horrible chocolate malt.

MilwFoodlovers


If it makes you feel any better, I'm betting it was a really horrible chocolate malt.

It does, thank you.

 All the Arby's locations in my area (Metro-Detroit) have signs staked out front advertising their "Wednesday Special of a "Free item" but EVERY sign, including their message boards on their road signs clearly state what you get free and also states "With Purchase of..."  
  Being in Restaurant Management for over 20 years, when a chain restaurant runs a promotion, the company sends out the same promotional material to EVERY location participating in the promo, including franchisee's.  
  I wonder if this particular franchisee decided to use his "own" (unapproved) promotional signs.

niftydrumdude


I e-mailed corporate, we'll see where it goes from there.
Business standards in this country are already bad enough as it is, we don't need mega-fast food chains running around with non-disclosure "freebies" running around.

A few months back i had a problem with a local Arby's location and emailed Arby's Corp with my problem and they did respond rather quickly with an apology and an offer of a free combo meal.  I would assumed you'll probably get a similar reply from them! 

Hello All,
Few things are trully free.
And VudulHippy is correct.
Franchisee's often do their own thing.
Take Care,
Fieldthistle

I have always for years studiously steered clear of anywhere publicly announcing free stuff. 
That is because I have learned that some of the most expensive stuff I ever had was "free".

Since the fiascos at KFC and Popeye's I have made it a policy to steer clear of places announcing  free stuff for at leeast a few days after as well. I guess that cuts down on my Arby's visits now, though of  course given their very high prices here (About 7.50 for just  a roast beef and cheddar sandwich, no drink no fries.) that is not hard to do.  Also I don't get out to eat lunch much anymore.  Sadly working in an area of near chain hegenmony there aren't a lot of good choices nearby.

I don't know about freebies, but I made the mistake of eating at Arby's the other day.  Horrible and overpriced.  The sandwich was cold and tasteless, and so were the fries.  We were in the middle of nowhere, and I was starving, so I took a chance.  Should have gotten a bag of peanuts and a Hershey bar.

c7y

Like a smart guy once told me in Vegas . Don't take it for free! You are buying something with no down payment and an undisclosed interest rate...  that can get REAL high. You are better off to just pay up front. :~)
Joe

we always get BOGO coupons down here at Arbys & I use them up.