🏁 2018: The Birth of Inspire Brands
Inspire Brands was founded in February 2018, born from the merger of Arby’s and Buffalo Wild Wings, following the latter’s acquisition by Roark Capital. The goal was ambitious: to build a next-generation restaurant company focused on long-term brand development, shared services, and data-driven innovation.
From day one, Inspire positioned itself not just as a holding company — but as a platform for scaling top-tier restaurant brands.
🍗 2019: Sonic Joins the Family
Later in 2018, Sonic Drive-In, one of America’s most iconic QSR brands, became Inspire’s next major acquisition. With thousands of carhop-style drive-ins across the country, Sonic brought a distinct format and fan base to the group — along with valuable real estate and regional dominance.
🥪 2019: Jimmy John’s Acquisition
Inspire Brands continued its aggressive growth with the acquisition of Jimmy John’s in September 2019. This fast-growing sandwich chain added an urban and college-town footprint to Inspire’s growing empire.
Now managing brands across lunch, dinner, and late-night segments, Inspire Brands was proving it could handle high-speed expansion.
☕ 2020: Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins — A Game-Changer
The largest acquisition to date came in October 2020, when Inspire Brands announced the $11.3 billion purchase of Dunkin’ Brands, which included:
- Dunkin’ (formerly Dunkin’ Donuts)
- Baskin-Robbins (global ice cream chain)
This move instantly doubled the company’s size, making Inspire one of the largest restaurant companies in the world by location count and systemwide sales.
📊 Today: Inspire by the Numbers
- Founded: 2018
- Employees: 650,000+
- Brands: 6 major restaurant chains
- Global Locations: 33,000+
- Annual System Sales: Over $30 billion
- Ownership: Private (Roark Capital)
The company’s scale now rivals public giants like Yum! Brands and Restaurant Brands International.
🧠 The Inspire Strategy
Inspire Brands isn’t just about size — it’s about platform efficiency. Each brand operates with:
- Centralized HR, finance, and tech systems (e.g., Workday, Kronos, ADP)
- Shared data analytics and marketing tech
- Streamlined supply chain and vendor relationships
- Scalable mobile apps, loyalty, and ordering platforms
This approach allows each brand to grow faster, cut costs, and stay relevant in a tech-first restaurant world.
🔮 What’s Next?
Industry watchers believe Inspire Brands is still in acquisition mode. Future areas of interest may include:
- Plant-based QSR brands
- Healthy fast casual concepts
- International expansion, especially in Asia and the Middle East
- Virtual kitchen and delivery-only brands
With its resources, structure, and leadership, Inspire has the tools to dominate the next decade of global dining.
🧾 Final Word
Inspire Brands began as a bold idea — and turned into a restaurant empire in just a few years. By combining legacy brands with modern technology and streamlined operations, it continues to reshape how foodservice giants grow and compete.
If you’re watching the future of dining, keep your eyes on Inspire Brands.