Inspire Brands CEO: Dunkin' Brands Purchase Makes Company A Bigger Player

Inspire Brands closed its acquisition of Dunkin' Brands in December with the deal transforming the restaurant operator into a bigger player in the breakfast and international markets, Inspire Brands CEO Paul Brown said during a Fox Business interview. 

Portfolio Transformation: Inspire's acquisition of Dunkin' adds a new element to the restaurant operator's business, especially in the breakfast category, Brown said.

Inspire has plenty of exposure to the lunch and dinner categories through its multiple brands, including Arby's, Buffalo Wild Wings and Jimmy John's. 

But the addition of Dunkin' to Inspire makes it the "most balanced across the dayparts of any of the restaurant companies," the CEO said.

The acquisition also gives Inspire a much-needed lift in international exposure, he said. Approximately 40% of all restaurants will now be located outside of the U.S.

The Dunkin' brand will continue operating as a distinct entity, although management will leverage shared services wherever possible.

Related Link: 4 Analysts On Dunkin'-Inspire Brands M&A Deal: 'Solid Price'

More Acquisitions To Come, CEO Says: If the "right opportunity" presents itself, Inspire will pull the trigger on another acquisition, the CEO said.

Inspire is pleased with the portfolio of brands and its size as the second-largest restaurant business based on sales.

"We have achieved the scale objective we have been trying to achieve," Brown said.

COVID-19 Update: 2020 emphasized the importance of becoming "nimble and agile" as a restaurant company during the COVID-19 pandemic, Brown told Fox Business.

Encouragingly, Inspire Brand is on a "hiring spree" and management believes that there will be more people working in the head office in five years than today, he said.

Photo courtesy of Dunkin' Brands.