Does Arby’s Have A Ham And Cheese Sandwich? The Story Behind The Missing Meat

Arby’s, home of the “we have the meats” slogan, has become synonymous with roast beef sandwiches over the years. However, there was a time when you could also get sliced ham at Arby’s. I fondly remember ordering ham sliders and sandwiches during my childhood trips to Arby’s in the 90s and 2000s. But sometime in the last few years, ham disappeared from the menu. As a long-time Arby’s customer, I was disappointed to see this classic meat option vanish. I’m certainly not alone in missing the Arby’s ham offerings.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the history of ham at Arby’s. When did it disappear? Why did Arby’s get rid of ham? And is there any chance of this tasty meat making a comeback in Arby’s sandwiches?

A Brief History of Ham at Arby’s

During Arby’s early years the chain was focused on freshly sliced roast beef as the star of its sandwiches. However over time, ham was added as a lower-priced alternative to beef. Throughout the 80s, 90s, and 2000s, Arby’s experimented with ham in various forms including sliced ham sandwiches, ham salad sandwiches, ham melts, and ham sliders.

The Arby’s menu offered a fair amount of variety when it came to ham-based options. Some examples included:

• Ham and Swiss Melt – Sliced ham with Swiss cheese on a toasted bun

• Classic Ham and Cheese – Ham American cheese lettuce, tomato, and mayo on a bun

• Ham Salad Sandwich – Arby’s ham salad with lettuce and tomato on your choice of bread

• Ham Slider – A mini ham sandwich with cheese

• Smokehouse Brisket and Ham – Shaved beef brisket, ham, smoked cheddar, barbecue sauce, and crispy onions on a toasted bun

• Loaded Italian – Genoa salami, ham, capicola, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, Italian dressing, and banana peppers on a toasted sub bun

• Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwich – Breaded chicken, ham, Swiss cheese, lettuce, and honey mustard on a bun

Clearly, Arby’s liked to incorporate ham into both classic and innovative sandwiches over the years. The meat added a familiar flavor at a lower price point than the signature roast beef. Kids especially seemed to love Arby’s ham sliders and basic ham and cheese sandwiches.

When Did Arby’s Get Rid of Ham?

Arby’s began phasing ham out of its menu around 2017. The chain’s new sandwiches focused heavily on limited-time offers like the Smokehouse Brisket, Bourbon BBQ, and Gyro meats. Ham slipped quietly into retirement without much fanfare.

By 2019, all ham sandwiches were gone from Arby’s locations. The only ham holdout was the Chicken Cordon Bleu sandwich which combined breaded chicken, ham, and Swiss cheese. But in the summer of 2021, Arby’s removed Cordon Bleu from the menu, eliminating the last remaining ham item.

Just like that, decades of ham sandwiches at Arby’s were relegated to the history books. No more ham sliders or classic ham and cheese. Arby’s had erased almost all evidence of ham from its current menu.

Why Did Arby’s Get Rid of Ham?

The decision to remove ham from the Arby’s menu likely came down to a combination of factors:

Poor Sales – According to inside sources, ham simply didn’t sell well enough at Arby’s in recent years. It failed to attract customers and languished at the bottom of the sales charts. Roast beef has always been Arby’s claim to fame, not sliced ham.

Brand Focus – Arby’s wanted to highlight its Roast Beef, Turkey, Chicken, and Brisket as the core meats. Ham no longer fit the brand identity as sharply.

New Menu Options – Arby’s introducing rotating limited-time sandwiches featuring bolder flavors like gyro, corned beef, and bourbon BBQ. These new meats pushed plain ham further down the priority list.

Reduced Menu – Eliminating slower-selling menu items allowed Arby’s to focus on its most popular sandwiches. Streamlining operations by removing ham allowed faster service.

Lower Profit Margins – Ham is generally cheaper than beef. Getting rid of ham sandwiches may have provided a small boost to Arby’s bottom line.

While loyalty to ham sandwiches certainly still existed, Arby’s management felt it was the right time to move on from ham. The chain was clearly pivoting to promote its core roast beef offerings and limited-time specialty meats over the basic ham and cheese.

Customer Responses to the Ham Removal

As you might expect, some Arby’s customers were none too pleased about the disappearance of ham from the menu. A few dedicated ham lovers spoke out on social media to voice their frustrations:

• “No more ham??? First you took away the Jamocha shakes now the ham??? Why??Bring back the ham!”

• “I’m angry that you got rid of the ham slider. That was my go-to order and now it’s gone. Bring it back!”

• “My kid loved the ham sliders. Bring them back! Arby’s is going downhill.”

• “If you got rid of the ham because ham sales were down, maybe try promoting it? The ham and Swiss melt was so good!”

• “Arby’s without ham makes me sad. It was a nice cheaper option compared to the beef.”

A petition was even created on Change.org called “BRING BACK ARBY’S HAM SLIDER”. At the time of writing, it has garnered over 100 signatures from jilted ham lovers.

Clearly, Arby’s failed to realize the emotional attachment some customers had formed with its ham over the years. The petition shows that the #BringBackArbysHam movement is still active, though so far it hasn’t changed the company’s mind.

Is There Any Chance of Ham Returning to Arby’s?

Never say never, but the short answer seems to be “probably not.” Arby’s is focused on core meats like roast beef and brisket these days along with innovative limited-time offerings. Ham doesn’t really seem to fit the current brand strategy.

However, customer complaints do sometimes cause fast food chains to reverse unpopular decisions. McDonald’s brought back Hi-C Orange after a customer uprising. Burger King reintroduced Chicken Fries due to popular demand.

If enough ham devotees make noise, there’s an outside chance Arby’s may consider a limited-time Ham & Cheese sandwich promotion or LTO. It’s unlikely ham will return as a permanent menu item again, but a short-term comeback isn’t out of the question.

Personally, I won’t be holding my breath for the return of ham to Arby’s. The company has clearly moved on, even if some of its longtime customers haven’t. As much as I loved the ham and Swiss melt of my childhood, Arby’s current focus seems to be on bolder flavors.

Alternatives For Ham Lovers

If you’re craving an old-school ham and cheese sandwich, some alternatives beyond Arby’s could include:

• Subway – They offer ham as a standard meat choice. Build your own ham and cheese.

• Quiznos – Ham is on the menu at Quiznos, though less common than subs like turkey and roast beef.

• Jimmy John’s – Ham & cheese is one of Jimmy John’s “original 16” sandwiches dating back to the beginning.

• Jersey Mike’s – Choose ham as your meat and get it Mike’s Way with cheese and toppings.

• Firehouse Subs – Build your own ham sandwich or try one of their combo subs with ham.

• McAlister’s Deli – Ham is an option for McAlister’s sandwiches and potato soups.

• Jason’s Deli – Sliced ham is part of the meat selection at Jason’s build-your-own sandwich bar.

• Panera – You can add ham to Panera’s sandwiches or get it in their ham and bean soup.

While it requires leaving Arby’s behind, other sandwich chains can still provide a decent ham fix. However, the classic Arby’s ham and cheese will always hold a special place in the hearts of 20th century fast food fans.

The Bottom Line

Arby’s severed ties with ham sandwiches around 2017 to focus more on core meats and innovative flavors. The classic Ham & Cheese and mighty Ham Slider were cast aside despite some nostalgic customer outcry.

The chances for a ham comeback on Arby’s menu seem slim. But never say never. If demand reached a fever pitch, we could maybe see a short-term LTO ham sandwich. Until then, Arby’s loyalists will have to go elsewhere for their ham and cheese cravings.

I’m certainly bummed about losing the Ham & Swiss Melt that was my go-to Arby’s order as a kid. But the chain is clearly marching to the beat of its own meaty drum these days. Arby’s may have gotten rid of ham for now, but their roast beef still reigns supreme.