Inspire Brands


Inspire Brands Inc., formerly Arby's Restaurant Group Inc., is a holding company and the owner and franchisor of the Arby's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Sonic Drive-In, Jimmy John's, and Rusty Taco restaurant chains. The company's headquarters and Global Support Center is located in Sandy Springs, Georgia, in metro Atlanta's Perimeter Center district. Inspire Brands is owned by Roark Capital Group. The acquisition of Jimmy John's made Inspire the fourth largest restaurant chain group.

History

Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc. was renamed Inspire Brands, Inc. as the company took ownership of Buffalo Wild Wings on February 5, 2018. Buffalo Wild Wings also owned the Rusty Taco chain. Arby's CEO Paul Brown was selected to continue as Inspire Brand CEO. Brown expected that Inspire would acquire additional chains in different segments. He plans to structure the company similar to Hilton Hotels & Resorts. Co-owner The Wendy's Company's stake was reduced from 18.5% to 12.3% due to the infusion of capital from Roark to fund the purchase. In September 2018, Inspire had the 27-location R Taco reverted to the Rusty Taco name.
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 includes a 38% premium over its stake most recent valuation. On August 28, 2018, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal announced that Inspire was moving its headquarters to Sandy Springs, Georgia in 2019.
Inspire Brands on September 25, 2018 announced that it was buying Oklahoma City-based Sonic Drive-In for $2.3 billion. The acquisition was completed on December 7, 2018.
Inspire Brands announced that it was buying Jimmy John's on September 25, 2019. The deal closed on October 18.