<div id="subtitle">Longtime Arby's exec leaves Wendy's/Arby's group as fast-food chain launches turnaround effort</div><div><p>Tom Garrett, a longtime Arby's executive in charge of the struggling roast beef restaurant chain, is leaving the company as it tries to turn around the brand's fortunes, fast-food chain Wendy's/Arby's Group Inc. said Thursday.</p><p>Roland Smith, president and CEO of parent company Wendy's/Arby's Group, will step into the role on an interim basis while the company searches for a permanent replacement. The company said Smith will attempt to lead an effort to reinvigorate sales.</p><p>"It was a difficult decision, but one that was necessary at Arby's because the brand's results over the last year have been below expectations," said spokesman Bob Bertini. "The entire Arby's team will be focused on a turnaround of the brand — with stronger marketing, product development and operations to improve same-store sales and margins."</p><p>The company said Garrett may become a franchise owner.</p><p>His departure comes as Arby's continues to underperform its more affordable sibling, Wendy's.</p><p>In the third quarter, sales in Arby's locations open at least a year fell 9 percent. That compares with a 0.1 percent decline at Wendy's.</p><p>To woo customers from its cheaper competitors, Arby's began adding lower-priced meals to its menu this fall and is trying out a $1 value menu in some areas of the country.</p><p>Garrett became Arby's president when the combined company was formed in September 2008 when Arby's owner Triarc Cos. Inc. bought Wendy's in an all-stock deal valued at $2.34 billion. The 48-year-old has spent nearly 30 years working with Arby's.</p><p>Wendy's/Arby's shares dipped 3 cents to $4.53 in midday trading Thursday.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=67982688&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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