Inspire Brands Explained

Inspire Brands LLC
Type:Private
Founders:Neal Aronson and Paul J. Brown
Hq Location City:Sandy Springs, Georgia
Hq Location Country:United States
Num Locations:31,700
Num Locations Year:2023
Key People:Paul J. Brown (CEO)
Owner:Roark Capital Group

Inspire Brands LLC is an American fast-food restaurant franchise company. Owned by Roark Capital Group, it owns the Arby's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Sonic Drive-In, Jimmy John's, Mister Donut, Dunkin' Donuts, and Baskin-Robbins chains, which have a combined 31,700 locations and US$30 billion in system sales.[1] [2]

History

Inspire Brands was formed when Arby's Restaurant Group merged with Buffalo Wild Wings on February 5, 2018. Buffalo Wild Wings also owned the Rusty Taco chain.[3] [4] Arby's CEO Paul Brown was selected to continue as Inspire Brands CEO.[3] Brown expected that Inspire would acquire additional chains in different segments. He plans to structure the company similar to Hilton Hotels & Resorts.[5] Co-owner The Wendy's Company's stake was reduced from 18.5% to 12.3% due to the infusion of capital from Roark Capital to fund the purchase.[6] In September 2018, Inspire had the 27-location R Taco reverted to the Rusty Taco name.[7]

On August 16, 2018, The Wendy's Company announced that it sold its 12.3% stake in Inspire Brands back to the company for $450 million, which included a 38% premium over the stake's most recent valuation.[8] On August 28, 2018, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal announced that Inspire was moving its headquarters to Sandy Springs, Georgia in 2019.[9]

Inspire Brands on September 25, 2018, announced that it was buying Oklahoma City-based Sonic Drive-In for $2.3 billion.[10] The acquisition was completed on December 7, 2018.[11]

Inspire Brands announced that it was buying Jimmy John's on September 25, 2019.[2] [12] The deal closed on October 18, 2019.[13]

Inspire received Franchise Times’ 2019 Dealmaker of the Year award for its acquisitions of Buffalo Wild Wings and Sonic Drive-In.[14]

Inspire Brands on October 25, 2020, announced that it was buying Dunkin' Brands for $11.3 billion.[15] [16] The acquisition was completed on December 15, 2020.[17]

On December 19, 2022, Inspire Brands announced that it had sold Rusty Taco to Gala Capital Partners, owner of Cicis Pizza, Dunn Brothers Coffee, and Mooyah.[18]

Brands

As of April 2024, the chains that the company owns and/or operates include:

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Inspire Brands and the Making of a Restaurant Group Unlike Any Other . QSR . 1 August 2023.
  2. News: Dyer . Kristian . Arby's owner beefs up portfolio, eating up another fast-food franchise . November 15, 2019 . Fox Business . September 25, 2019.
  3. News: Thorn. Bret. Arby's, Buffalo Wild Wings new parent Inspire Brands debuts. February 7, 2018. Nation's Restaurant News. February 5, 2018.
  4. News: Arby's closes deal for Buffalo Wild Wings, makes new company. February 7, 2018. Star Tribune. Associated Press. February 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180207122301/http://www.startribune.com/arby-s-closes-deal-for-buffalo-wild-wings-makes-new-company/472765433/. February 7, 2018. dead.
  5. News: Arby's CEO: We're Not Done Buying Brands After BWW. Klein. Danny. February 5, 2018. QSR magazine. February 7, 2018. en.
  6. News: Wendy's Sells Inspire Brands Stake for $450 Million . QSR Magazine . August 2018 . Danny . Klein.
  7. News: Romeo . Peter . Inspire Brands reveals plans for its 3rd brand, now Rusty Taco . November 28, 2018 . Restaurant Business . September 5, 2018 . en.
  8. News: Wendy's sells stake in Arby's owner for $450 million . 16 August 2018 . CNBC . 16 August 2018 . October 6, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201006223529/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/16/reuters-america-wendys-sells-stake-in-arbys-owner-for-450-million.html/ . dead .
  9. News: Neighbor Newspapers Staff . Inspire Brands bringing 1,100 jobs, $32 million to Sandy Springs . November 28, 2018 . Northside Neighbor . Marietta Daily Journal . August 28, 2018 . en.
  10. News: Thorn . Bret . Inspire Brands to buy Sonic Corp. for $2.3B . 25 September 2018 . Nation's Restaurant News . 25 September 2018.
  11. News: Ruggless . Ron . Inspire closes on Sonic acquisition . 8 December 2018 . Nation's Restaurant News . 7 December 2018.
  12. News: Lucas . Amelia . Arby's owner Inspire Brands buys Jimmy John's . 26 September 2019 . CNBC . 25 September 2019 . en.
  13. News: Ruggless . Ron . Inspire completes purchase of Jimmy John's . 21 October 2019 . Nation's Restaurant News . 18 October 2019 . en . dmy-all.
  14. Web site: Art of the deal panel to highlight FFGC. Franchise Times. 12 October 2020.
  15. Web site: Dunkin' closes in on $9bn sale to Inspire Brands . Fontanella-Khan . James . Aliaj . Ortenca . Gray . Alistair . Temple . Patrick . October 25, 2020 . . October 26, 2020 . subscription.
  16. Web site: Inspire Brands to Acquire Dunkin' Brands Group for $11.3 Billion Including Debt . Haddon . Heather . October 30, 2020 . . October 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201031023531/https://www.wsj.com/articles/inspire-brands-to-acquire-dunkin-brands-group-for-11-3-billion-including-debt-11604102999 . 2020-10-31 . 0099-9660 . 781541372 . live . dmy-all.
  17. Web site: 2020-12-15. Inspire Brands Completes Acquisition of Dunkin' Brands. 2020-12-15. www.businesswire.com. en.
  18. News: Maze . Jonathan . Inspire Brands sells Rusty Taco to the owner of Cicis Pizza . 26 December 2022 . Restaurant Business . 19 December 2022 . en.