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.[7][8] Arby's CEO Paul Brown was selected to continue as Inspire Brands CEO.[7] Brown expected that Inspire would acquire additional chains in different segments. He plans to structure the company similar to Hilton Hotels & Resorts.[9] 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.[10] In September 2018, Inspire had the 27-location R Taco reverted to the Rusty Taco name.[11]
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.[5] On August 28, 2018, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal announced that Inspire was moving its headquarters to Sandy Springs, Georgia in 2019.[12]
Inspire Brands on September 25, 2018, announced that it was buying Oklahoma City-based Sonic Drive-In for $2.3 billion.[13] The acquisition was completed on December 7, 2018.[14]
Inspire Brands announced that it was buying Jimmy John's on September 25, 2019.[6][15] The deal closed on October 18, 2019.[16]
Inspire received Franchise Times’ 2019 Dealmaker of the Year award for its acquisitions of Buffalo Wild Wings and Sonic Drive-In.[17]
Inspire Brands on October 25, 2020, announced that it was buying Dunkin' Brands for $11.3 billion.
[18][19] The acquisition was completed on December 15, 2020.[20]
