Arby's® Declares Andy Johnson Winner of National Casting Call Video Contest

ATLANTA, Aug. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Without a doubt, Andy Johnson has proven he has what it takes to put America in a "good mood." For his imaginative video interpretation of the Arby's. It's Good Mood Food.™ advertising campaign, Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc. has chosen Andy as the winner of the Casting Call Video Contest and is awarding him with a $10,000 cash prize and a role in its next national TV ad.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110308/NY61283LOGO-b )

The self-proclaimed Arby's connoisseur was selected from more than 800 video entries submitted since July 11, 2011.  As a reward for sharing his "good mood," Andy will be flown to the East Coast where he will join the cast of the next Arby's commercial, including spokesperson, R.B., for a day of filming.

In July, Arby's launched a contest challenging fans nationwide to submit their own video versions of the Arby's. It's Good Mood Food. advertising campaign. Via Arby's YouTube Channel, people across the country shared their video interpretations for a chance at TV stardom. An Arby's panel then judged the entries and selected Andy as the winner based on his originality, presence and ability to instill an overall "good mood" in viewers.  

Andy credits his passion for music, degree in video production and love of Arby's as inspiration for his "Hey Arby's" video. In the video, Andy sings original lyrics about why Arby's puts him in a "good mood" and, with the help of a green screen, superimposed mini versions of himself on the guitar, bass, keyboard and drums play back-up. View Andy's winning submission by visiting www.ArbysCastingCall.com. While there, click on the Gallery to see all entries.

"I created the whole video in less than 24 hours -- not a hard feat when you love Arby's as much as I do," said Andy Johnson. "I came up with the idea for my video on a Thursday; I wrote the lyrics and the tune that night, and by the next evening, I had recorded the song and myself singing at Arby's."

It's no wonder Andy considers himself an Arby's "connoisseur." His first Arby's visit was with his brother and friends when he got his driver's license. Since then, Andy and his family have made it a tradition to visit the local Arby's at 1700 22nd Street in West Des Moines, every Christmas Eve. Andy even eats at Arby's with his wife every Valentine's Day, the same place they went on their very first Valentine's Day date together.

"This contest was inspired by the fans and for the fans," said Bob Kraut, Senior Vice President of Advertising and Marketing Communications, Arby's Restaurant Group. Inc. "We at Arby's can't think of a more deserving and passionate fan to award this grand prize to than Andy Johnson. Anyone that breathes, eats, sleeps and dreams of Curly Fries like Andy is a winner in our eyes."  

Look for Andy's commercial debut in October 2011.

For more information about Arby's, please visit www.arbys.com, http://www.facebook.com/arbys or http://twitter.com/Arbys.

About Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc.

Atlanta-based Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc. is the second largest quick-service sandwich chain in the U.S. with more than 3,600 restaurants systemwide. In addition to its classic Roast Beef and Beef 'n Cheddar sandwiches, slow-roasted and thinly sliced in store daily, Arby's is also known for its deli-style Market Fresh® line of sandwiches, wraps and salads, Curly Fries and Jamocha Shakes. The latest news includes the 2011 introduction of Arby's first premium Angus beef menu line called Ultimate Angus. To learn more about Arby's, please visit www.arbys.com.

SOURCE Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc.