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What Happened to the Temple Terrace Arby’s?

The restaurant on Fowler Avenue closed for business on Christmas Day.

Arby’s franchisee Chris Doyle summed up the closing of the Arby’s at 5610 E. Fowler Ave. in two words: “It stinks,” he said.

The location’s last day of business was Christmas Eve. It had been open for about eight years, Doyle estimated.

He said he had to let the restaurant go because keeping it no longer made financial sense. The lease was expiring, and the lessor was asking for more money.

“We’re sorry we had to leave the Temple Terrace community,” said Doyle, of Lutz, who has 23 other franchises in the Tampa area and Raleigh, NC.

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He said a Dunkin’ Donuts is scheduled to move into the building in the coming months. Dunkin’ Donuts has not returned a Friday call from Temple Terrace Patch to its corporate communications office to confirm that a location will open in the former Arby’s space.

Although the Arby’s on Fowler Avenue is closed, roast beef fans don’t have to travel far for the chain’s signature sandwiches. Nearby locations include:

  • Arby’s, 2230 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa
  • Arby’s, 2810 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa
SHARON ALVAREZ January 8, 2013 at 12:12 pm
Will be missed.We live in Raintree and it was so convenient & their sandwiches were healthier than the other fasfoods around. Sad to see it close.
Jessica Mendez January 8, 2013 at 01:22 pm
My family and I like Arby's, but we never ate at the Temple Terrace location because it always looked empty inside. We never saw are parked there at all before they closed.
Jessica Mendez January 8, 2013 at 01:23 pm
cars* not are... lol
Joe January 8, 2013 at 02:23 pm
Does anyone know why the Shell /Circle K, on the SE corner if Fowler and 56th closed so suddenly in December? There still seems to be a need for a gas station there, even with the nice renovation of its partner station on the NE corner.
Ashley Reams (Editor) January 8, 2013 at 02:31 pm
Joe, I've been attempting to contact Circle K with no luck. I'll look into it more and see what I can find. Or if anyone reading this knows, leave a comment!
JS January 8, 2013 at 02:39 pm
Everything is closing because the nation is in the the new Obamadapolous economic boom, duh.
Sally Oakes Ballas January 8, 2013 at 03:00 pm
Lack of support. Temple Terrace residents seem to go to Brandon, New Tampa, Land O Lakes or Wesley Chapel... Lack of support. On the other hand, not very much to keep us and our money in Temple Terrace.
Chris Fedorcek January 8, 2013 at 03:37 pm
Grab the Temple Terrace News. There is a $10 off coupon at Shamrock's Ale House. I used mine on a delicious New Jersey Burger last week.
Susan Scully January 8, 2013 at 03:46 pm
Sorry, I never even noticed the Arby's was closed! Having Dunkin' Donuts in its stead will be good. I think it will do well in the area.
Alex January 8, 2013 at 07:58 pm
Me personally, I would never live out in those other area's, mainly because of congestion, etc. That's what I don't like about T.T a lot of businesses have gone way out to those places, and It bugs me that I should have to drive 10 - 20 miles out of my way in traffic if I want to go shopping for something except grocery's? I think it's laughable how Tampa and T.T let their city go down hill then build all the sprawl in N.E Hillsborough county call it "New Tampa" and more or less forget everything south of Fletcher. I realize there's been improvements elsewhere in the city, but I actually remember when there were decent businesses across from University mall on Fowler, I know, things change. . .
Lucas Hutchins January 8, 2013 at 09:09 pm
The circle k on the corner closed because they renovated the one on the other side. I never use that side of the street so it really annoying now since i can't drive in as i go by.
Joseph Brian Scott January 8, 2013 at 10:55 pm
I live right down the street and enjoyed eating there, for the most part; the food was really good for fast food; but I have to say the service was lousy. Every time I went in I was the only customer, and the employees had been just standing around; as soon as I sat down, THAT'S when they decided to start sweeping and cleaning up around and under me. Also, once I went in, used the rest room, advised the staff there were no towels in the men's room, ordered and ate, 45 min. later I used the rest room again up leaving, still now towels. And I had been the only customer the entire time. What were they doing all that time that they couldn't see to the towel issue? Perhaps the poor service had something to do with the low patronage.
Alex January 10, 2013 at 10:30 pm
I sympathize with you, but that's the new work ethic that's been around for awhile now. You pay someone peanuts with no real work ethic to begin with and this is what you get. For the record, I'm not saying at all that a pimple nosed kid should be getting paid top dollar to start out, just that the way me and a lot of us "old timers" were raised is very different. My first job was through a man my dad knew, and my dad told him in front of me, don't go soft on him, if he screws up, fire him and call me I'll take care of it. But then again, if the francise owner wasn't coming up with something for them to do, or letting go of some workers it's their fault as well to an extent.
Paul Richardson January 11, 2013 at 11:41 am
The landlord raised the rent and they decided not to renew their lease.
weezir January 11, 2013 at 03:27 pm
I agree with Alex. Everything is put in New Tampa, and I really do not like to drive out there in that traffic. I really wish there was a Lowe's or Home Depot nearby. Plus I wish there were more non-chain restaurants in the area; but I guess they make a better buck in South Tampa... They need to take a chance around here--lunch from the University crowd, and dinner from the TT citizens.
TT did itself a disservice by not fighting all of the low income housing that the county saw fit to build on the city's boundaries. It really kiiled a lot of desire to live in TT, as I have had people tell me. (Having Suitcase City nearby certainly does not help. They say improvements are coming, but I don't ever think it will get any better unless they bulldoze the whole place and build new) When real estate picks back up again, I am moving to Forest Hills. I will spend my money and do business in Carrollwood. Too bad for TT.
Annette Renny January 13, 2013 at 03:41 pm
Love Dunkin Donuts, by the way, I am a Realtor, Temple Terrace is selling and inventory is going down, prices up. This is a wonderful area.
Sally Oakes Ballas April 20, 2013 at 02:17 am
Blame Game :-(
Sally Oakes Ballas April 20, 2013 at 02:21 am
Annette,
Exactly what part of Temple Terrace are you selling?

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