New Arby's opens on McCrays Mill Road in Sumter

Second in Sumter County after Broad Street location

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Sumterites seeking to satisfy their fix for an Arby's roast beef sandwich and curly fries or any of the fast food eatery's other signature sandwiches and sides no longer have to battle Broad Street traffic.

Local business owner Earl Wilson opened his second Arby's in Sumter — at 1954 McCrays Mill Road — on Wednesday. Wilson is the franchisee and operator of the Arby's at 1280 Broad St. and also of three KFCs in Sumter. 

Wilson said the grand opening went well and that the store was "pretty busy" during the lunch hour.
He said he is excited about the new location in the growing McCrays Mill Road/Pinewood Road area of town. A new Walmart Neighborhood Market opened across the street at 343 Pinewood Road on Jan. 31.

Wilson said he foresees continued retail and residential development in the area. 

During the construction process, he said the community's reception for the new restaurant was outstanding, working with the local planning commission was also a positive experience, and the process didn't have any hiccups.

"It was really a touching moment to see how happy everybody was about the restaurant opening," Wilson said. "Even down at the business-license department, the ladies were just elated and said, 'I just live two minutes from the store. I live a minute from the store.'"

Wilson said he has hired about 40 employees for the new restaurant. Most positions are part-time, he said.

Restaurant hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.