PGA Tour fills new category with Arby’s deal

Sandwich restaurant chain Arby’s has agreed a first-of-its-kind sponsorship deal with golf’s PGA Tour.

The multi-year deal names Arby’s as the official restaurant of the organisation in the quick service restaurant category – a new designation for the Tour.

Under the agreement, Arby’s will sponsor the Tour’s Junior Golf Day and the Junior Golf Clinic as part of this week’s Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, with sandwiches to be offered to young fans at the event.

A digital campaign will be launched to promote the partnership, while Arby’s will also partner with internet video network Skratch to work on other Tour-specific online content.

In addition, an in-store initiative will be launched this weekend. Any Arby’s guest that presents a golf scorecard on Saturday or Sunday will receive a free buffalo chicken slider, chicken slider or turkey slider sandwich. The promotion is US-wide and limited to one free slider per guest.

Arby’s also holds an endorsement deal with PGA Tour member Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston (pictured).

“As surprising at it may sound, Arby’s and the PGA Tour are a perfect match,” Rob Lynch, brand president and chief managing officer of Arby’s Restaurant Group, said. “Golf may be an individual sport at the professional level, but for the rest of us it’s about camaraderie and getting away to have fun.

“At Arby’s, we strive to deliver that same experience for our guests. We look forward to this partnership and the opportunity to engage the sport and its fans in unexpected new ways.”