In Chandler, Arizona, there’s a man named Doug who has become more than just a familiar face at his local Arby’s — he’s become part family. At 97 years old, Doug is a World War II veteran with a love for roast beef sandwiches that’s endured through decades. Each day, like clockwork, Doug walks (or more often, uses his walker) into the Arby’s restaurant, orders his usual, and settles in at his favorite corner table. For him, this ritual is about more than a meal — it’s about comfort, routine, and the warm embrace of human kindness.
A Daily Visits and a Favorite Order
Doug’s favorite is simple and specific: a roast beef slider filled with Swiss cheese, and a Coke — with no ice. That’s what he orders almost every single time. The staff know it so well that, in their eyes, when Doug walks in, the order is already placed. It’s become “his” order.
Why does he come so faithfully, day after day? For one thing, the food agrees with him. “This is the only place I can get a sandwich or get anything else to eat that doesn’t hurt my stomach,” he once told one of the employees, Travis. But there’s more to it than that. Over the years, it seems Doug has found something he’s stopped looking for elsewhere — familiarity, kindness, dignity.
More Than Just Staff — A Community
Doug lives in a retirement home nearby. Many people in his situation might drift into isolation, spending days without much interaction. But at this Arby’s, people notice Doug. The staff members do more than bring him food. They look out for him in ways small but deeply meaningful. As soon as he approaches, they open the doors for him. They help him get to his table. They share smiles, conversation, and a kind of companionship.
He told them, at one point: “He’s gone through a lot being a veteran … coming in, being in a retirement home, but he doesn’t have family.” When you hear that, you realize just how much this place, and these people, have come to matter.
A Gesture of Generosity
One day, recognizing the depth of his loyalty and the challenges he faces, the Arby’s staff pitched in and presented Doug with a $200 gift card. He thought at first it was a prank, because it was so unexpected. But when he realized it was real, his reaction was humble: “Thank you. I never know if I’ll be here the next day, but thank you so much for this.”
But that wasn’t all. The staff didn’t just stop at that one gesture. Many of them gave Doug their phone numbers, telling him to call if he ever needed anything. And if there came a day when he couldn’t make it to the restaurant, they offered to bring his favorite meal out to him.
What Came After: Recognition & Security
Then something remarkable happened. Doug’s story went beyond Chandler. It began touching hearts across the country. And after his story spread, the local Arby’s (and/or corporate) made another promise: for the rest of his life, Doug would get free food. No more worry about how to pay, no more anxiety over whether he could afford his next meal. His “usual” was guaranteed.
With that security in place, Doug has more time to do what he most seems to enjoy: being with people, visiting his spot, and knowing that there are people who care. He has friends in the staff. He has routine. He has dignity.