Roark is reportedly seeking a valuation of $20bn for Inspire Brands, which includes over 14,000 Dunkin’ stores globally
The US’s second-largest coffee chain is poised for a new phase of investment after parent company Inspire Brands confirmed it had confidentially filed for an IPO.
Inspire’s main backer, Roark Capital, is reportedly seeking a valuation of around $20bn.
Inspire Brands was founded by Roark Capital in 2018 following Arby’s acquisition of Buffalo Wild Wings and Rusty Taco.
In December 2020, Inspire Brands acquired Dunkin’ Brands for $11.3bn, a deal which included the Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins chains.
It now operates more than 33,000 outlets under the Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s and SONIC QSR brands.
An Inspire Brands IPO would see Dunkin’ return to public ownership as part of a portfolio company rather than a standalone business.
Founded in 1950, Massachusetts-based Dunkin’ was previously listed on the Nasdaq in July 2011 before Roark Capital took it private in 2020.
Today, Dunkin’ is one of the largest branded coffee chains in the world with more than 14,000 stores across 40 markets globally, including over 10,000 in the US, where it is second only to Starbucks by outlets.
