Inspire Brands CEO Takes Medical Leave Before Possible IPO
Paul Brown, the founder and CEO of Inspire Brands, is temporarily stepping away from his role due to a recent injury. Scott Murphy, president of Dunkin' and chief brand officer at Inspire, will serve as interim CEO during this period. The company has stated that its strategy or direction is not expected to change under Murphy's leadership. Inspire submitted a draft registration statement with the SEC in May for a potential IPO, which could occur by late 2026 or early 2027. Brown previously led Arby’s and oversaw major acquisitions including Buffalo Wild Wings, Sonic, Jimmy John's, and Dunkin' Brands to form Inspire. The company now operates over 33,400 restaurants across multiple brands with $33.4 billion in global system sales as of 2025. The leadership change occurs at a critical time for the restaurant giant ahead of its potential public market debut.
Topics: IPO preparation leadership change restaurant industry