Inspire Brands Executive and Leadership Team

May, 2026

Leadership Overview

Inspire Brands has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, finance, operations, marketing, and human resources.

Driven by a vision to invigorate great brands, Inspire Brands aims to build a restaurant company unlike any other, bringing together differentiated yet complementary brands to foster their long-term growth and market strength.

Leadership Roles at Inspire Brands

  • Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer - Paul Brown
  • Chief Financial Officer - Katherine Jaspon
  • Chief Operating Officer - Anthony Rothrauff
  • Chief Operating Officer - Sonic - Thomas Deeley
  • President (US Development) - John Dawson
  • President - Daniel Figueiredo
  • Chief of Staff - Danielle Smith
  • Chief Marketing Officer, Jimmy John's - Katherine Carpenter
  • Chief People Officer - Kelly McCulloch
  • Chief Communications Officer - Shannan Siemens
  • Paul Brown - Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    Paul Brown, the Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Inspire Brands, directs the overarching strategy and operational execution for the company's extensive global portfolio of over 32,600 restaurant locations. This leadership role involves identifying and integrating complementary brands, ensuring each entity achieves its maximum growth potential within the dynamic restaurant industry. Brown's strategic vision focuses on invigorating established brands and fostering an environment where collective strength amplifies individual brand performance. Overseeing the integration of diverse culinary concepts, the Chief Executive Officer ensures synergistic operations across Arbys, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin, Jimmy Johns, and SONIC. Paul Brown's leadership is pivotal in navigating industry disruption and solidifying Inspire Brands' position as a unique, powerful restaurant conglomerate.
    Paul Brown

    Katherine Jaspon - Chief Financial Officer

    Katherine Jaspon, the Chief Financial Officer at Inspire Brands, manages the financial health and strategic fiscal planning for the multi-brand restaurant company. This critical role involves overseeing all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, capital allocation, and investor relations across a vast network of over 32,600 locations. Jaspon's expertise ensures robust financial frameworks are in place to support the growth and operational efficiency of brands like Arbys, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin, Jimmy Johns, and SONIC. By driving financial discipline and identifying investment opportunities, the Chief Financial Officer directly contributes to the company's vision of invigorating brands and achieving long-term expansion. Katherine Jaspon's leadership in financial strategy is essential for navigating market complexities and maximizing shareholder value.
    Katherine Jaspon

    Anthony Rothrauff - Chief Operating Officer

    Anthony Rothrauff, the Chief Operating Officer at Inspire Brands, directs the operational strategies and execution across the company's diverse brand portfolio. This leadership position involves optimizing day-to-day operations for over 32,600 locations, ensuring efficiency, quality, and consistency in service delivery for brands such as Arbys, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin, Jimmy Johns, and SONIC. Rothrauff's focus is on enhancing operational performance, streamlining processes, and fostering a culture of excellence that supports the company's mission to invigorate great brands. By collaborating with brand leadership, the Chief Operating Officer ensures seamless integration and operational synergy, driving the long-term growth objectives of Inspire Brands. Anthony Rothrauff's oversight is fundamental to maintaining the high standards expected across the entire restaurant group.

    Thomas Deeley - Chief Operating Officer - Sonic

    Thomas Deeley, the Chief Operating Officer - Sonic at Inspire Brands, spearheads the operational excellence and strategic growth initiatives specifically for the SONIC brand. This leadership role involves overseeing all aspects of SONIC's operations across its vast network of drive-in restaurants, ensuring consistent quality, customer satisfaction, and efficient service delivery. Deeley's focus is on enhancing the unique SONIC experience while driving operational improvements that align with Inspire Brands' broader mission to invigorate great brands. By collaborating with the SONIC leadership team, the Chief Operating Officer - Sonic implements strategies to optimize performance, expand market reach, and contribute to the brand's sustained long-term growth. Thomas Deeley's dedicated leadership is key to maximizing SONIC's potential within the Inspire Brands portfolio.
    Thomas Deeley

    John Dawson - President (US Development)

    John Dawson, the President (US Development) at Inspire Brands, leads the strategic expansion and development initiatives within the United States market. This role focuses on identifying new growth opportunities, optimizing site selection, and overseeing the development process for the company's extensive brand portfolio. Dawson's expertise is critical in driving the physical expansion of brands such as Arbys, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin, Jimmy Johns, and SONIC, ensuring their presence grows effectively across the nation. By managing development pipelines and fostering strong relationships with franchisees and partners, the President (US Development) directly contributes to invigorating great brands and securing their long-term market penetration. John Dawson's leadership in US development is essential for scaling Inspire Brands' footprint.
    John Dawson

    Daniel Figueiredo - President

    Daniel Figueiredo, the President at Inspire Brands, contributes to the strategic leadership and operational oversight of the company's vast restaurant portfolio. This executive role involves driving key initiatives that support the growth and performance of the diverse brands under the Inspire Brands umbrella, which includes over 32,600 locations. Figueiredo works to ensure that strategic objectives are met, fostering an environment conducive to innovation and operational excellence across brands like Arbys, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin, Jimmy Johns, and SONIC. By collaborating with other senior leaders, the President helps to invigorate great brands and supercharge their long-term growth, reinforcing Inspire Brands' unique position in the industry. Daniel Figueiredo's leadership is integral to the company's ongoing success and expansion.

    Danielle Smith - Chief of Staff

    Danielle Smith, the Chief of Staff at Inspire Brands, provides strategic support and operational coordination for the executive leadership team. This role involves facilitating key initiatives, managing cross-functional projects, and ensuring alignment across the company's extensive portfolio of over 32,600 restaurant locations. Smith works closely with leaders of brands including Arbys, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin, Jimmy Johns, and SONIC to drive strategic priorities and operational improvements. By streamlining communication and enhancing organizational effectiveness, the Chief of Staff plays a crucial part in executing the company's vision to invigorate great brands and foster their long-term growth. Danielle Smith's contributions are vital to maintaining operational momentum and strategic focus within Inspire Brands.

    Katherine Carpenter - Chief Marketing Officer, Jimmy John's

    Katherine Carpenter, the Chief Marketing Officer, Jimmy John's at Inspire Brands, directs the marketing strategy and brand development for the Jimmy John's sandwich chain. This role involves crafting innovative campaigns, enhancing brand visibility, and driving customer engagement across Jimmy John's extensive franchise network. Carpenter's expertise is focused on strengthening the Jimmy John's brand identity and expanding its market presence through targeted marketing initiatives that resonate with consumers. By overseeing all marketing efforts, the Chief Marketing Officer, Jimmy John's ensures alignment with Inspire Brands' overarching goal of invigorating great brands and fostering their long-term growth. Katherine Carpenter's leadership is instrumental in driving brand loyalty and increasing market share for Jimmy John's.

    Kelly McCulloch - Chief People Officer

    Kelly McCulloch, the Chief People Officer at Inspire Brands, leads the human resources strategy and talent management initiatives for the global restaurant company. This vital role encompasses developing programs to attract, retain, and develop a high-performing workforce across all brands, including Arbys, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin, Jimmy Johns, and SONIC. McCulloch's focus is on cultivating a strong organizational culture that supports the company's vision of invigorating great brands and driving their long-term growth. By championing employee engagement and fostering professional development, the Chief People Officer ensures that Inspire Brands has the talent necessary to excel in a competitive market. Kelly McCulloch's leadership in people strategy is fundamental to the sustained success and operational strength of the entire organization.
    Kelly McCulloch

    Shannan Siemens - Chief Communications Officer

    Shannan Siemens, the Chief Communications Officer at Inspire Brands, directs the company's internal and external communication strategies. This leadership position involves shaping the narrative around Inspire Brands' mission, values, and growth, ensuring consistent messaging across all stakeholders, including employees, franchisees, media, and the public. Siemens plays a key role in managing corporate reputation and enhancing brand perception for the diverse portfolio of over 32,600 locations. By overseeing public relations, media relations, and internal communications, the Chief Communications Officer supports the company's objective to invigorate great brands and drive their long-term success. Shannan Siemens' strategic communication efforts are crucial for maintaining brand integrity and fostering positive relationships across the Inspire Brands ecosystem.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Inspire Brands Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Inspire Brands?
    Inspire Brands is led by Paul Brown (Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Katherine Jaspon (Chief Financial Officer) and Anthony Rothrauff (Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of Inspire Brands’s executive team?
    The executive team of Inspire Brands includes leaders such as Paul Brown (Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer), Katherine Jaspon (Chief Financial Officer), Anthony Rothrauff (Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Inspire Brands have?
    Inspire Brands has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Inspire Brands’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Inspire Brands includes roles such as Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Operating Officer - Sonic, President (US Development).