Inspire Brands LLC is an American fast-food restaurant franchise company. Backed by Roark Capital Group, it owns the Arby's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Sonic Drive-In, Jimmy John's, Dunkin' Donuts, and Baskin-Robbins chains, which have a combined 33,000 locations and US$32.6 billion in system sales. It is one of the largest fast food corporations in the world.[1][2][3]
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.[9] On August 28, 2018, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal announced that Inspire was moving its headquarters to Sandy Springs, Georgia in 2019.[10]
Inspire Brands on September 25, 2018, announced that it was buying Oklahoma City-based Sonic Drive-In for $2.3 billion.[11] The acquisition was completed on December 7, 2018.[12]
Inspire Brands announced that it was buying Jimmy John's on September 25, 2019.[2][13] The deal closed on October 18, 2019.[14]
Inspire received Franchise Times’ 2019 Dealmaker of the Year award for its acquisitions of Buffalo Wild Wings and Sonic Drive-In.[15]
Inspire Brands on October 25, 2020, announced that it was buying Dunkin' Brands for $11.3 billion. [16][17] The acquisition was completed on December 15, 2020.[18]
In March 2021, Inspire Brands sent a review of its government lobbying activities to their franchisees and employees where they highlighted their success in keeping the $15 minimum wage out of Democrats' American Rescue Plan, the COVID-19 relief bill President Joe Biden signed earlier that month.[19]
In August 2021, Inspire Brands announced that it would source only cage-free eggs by 2025.[20]
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.[21]
In March 2026, Roark Capital Group considered an initial public offering for Inspire Brands, which could raise about $2 billion as early as 2026.[22]
As of June 2025, the chains that the company owns and/or operates include:
