Inspire Brands Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Inspire Brands has 10 executives leading key functions including financial strategy, global operations, organizational culture, and brand marketing.

Focused on scaling a diverse portfolio of iconic restaurant chains, Inspire Brands delivers exceptional dining experiences while driving long-term value across its global network of franchised locations.

Leadership Roles at Inspire Brands

  • Chief Financial Officer - Katherine Jaspon
  • Chief Operating Officer - Anthony Rothrauff
  • Chief Operating Officer, International - Frank Sickelsmith
  • Chief Operating Officer - Sonic - Thomas Deeley
  • Chief of Staff - Danielle Smith
  • Commercial Chief of Staff - Alexandria Ramsey
  • Chief Marketing Officer, Sonic Drive - Ryan Dickerson
  • Chief Marketing Officer, International - Becky Felis
  • Chief Communications Officer - Shannan Siemens
  • Chief People Officer - Kelly McCulloch
  • Katherine Jaspon - Chief Financial Officer

    Katherine Jaspon, the Chief Financial Officer at Inspire Brands, directs the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies for the entire multi-brand restaurant portfolio. Overseeing financial planning, treasury operations, and investor relations, the Chief Financial Officer ensures robust economic performance across all sandwich, coffee, and ice cream segments. Jaspon manages complex budgetary frameworks to support aggressive expansion goals within the quick-service restaurant sector. By analyzing market trends and operational costs, the Chief Financial Officer optimizes capital deployment to maximize shareholder value. Katherine Jaspon maintains rigorous oversight of financial reporting standards, ensuring transparency and compliance across the global enterprise. Through strategic fiscal management, the Chief Financial Officer strengthens the competitive position of the company, enabling sustainable growth and long-term profitability in a highly dynamic hospitality landscape.
    Katherine Jaspon

    Anthony Rothrauff - Chief Operating Officer

    Anthony Rothrauff, the Chief Operating Officer at Inspire Brands, manages the internal operational efficiency and supply chain logistics for the domestic restaurant portfolio. Overseeing the integration of diverse dining brands, the Chief Operating Officer drives process improvements to enhance service speed and quality across thousands of locations. Rothrauff coordinates with regional leadership to standardize operational protocols, ensuring consistent brand delivery from drive-in establishments to submarine sandwich shops. The Chief Operating Officer monitors performance metrics to identify bottlenecks and implement scalable solutions that boost unit-level profitability. Anthony Rothrauff aligns operational workflows with corporate objectives, fostering a culture of excellence and precision. By streamlining back-of-house functions and optimizing resource allocation, the Chief Operating Officer supports the company's mission to provide superior guest experiences while maintaining high operational standards throughout the North American market.

    Frank Sickelsmith - Chief Operating Officer, International

    Frank Sickelsmith, the Chief Operating Officer, International at Inspire Brands, directs the expansion and operational management of the company's restaurant portfolio across global markets. Overseeing international franchise relationships and supply chain logistics, the Chief Operating Officer, International ensures that brand standards remain consistent across diverse cultural and regulatory environments. Sickelsmith coordinates with regional partners to adapt service models for local preferences while maintaining the core identity of each brand. The Chief Operating Officer, International monitors performance metrics in overseas territories, implementing strategies to drive growth and operational excellence. Frank Sickelsmith manages the complexities of international logistics, ensuring that the company's global footprint expands efficiently and sustainably. By fostering strong relationships with international franchisees, the Chief Operating Officer, International secures the company's competitive advantage in the global hospitality sector, driving consistent performance and brand recognition in every market served.

    Thomas Deeley - Chief Operating Officer - Sonic

    Thomas Deeley, the Chief Operating Officer - Sonic at Inspire Brands, manages the day-to-day operational performance and service delivery for the Sonic Drive-In brand. Overseeing store-level execution and labor management, the Chief Operating Officer - Sonic ensures that every location maintains high standards of speed and quality. Deeley coordinates with regional managers to implement operational improvements that enhance the guest experience and drive unit-level profitability. The Chief Operating Officer - Sonic monitors key performance indicators to identify areas for optimization and ensures that operational protocols are followed consistently across the network. Thomas Deeley fosters a culture of operational excellence, empowering teams to deliver superior service in a fast-paced environment. By focusing on the details of store operations, the Chief Operating Officer - Sonic supports the brand's growth and ensures that the drive-in model remains efficient, profitable, and highly competitive in the quick-service restaurant market.
    Thomas Deeley

    Danielle Smith - Chief of Staff

    Danielle Smith, the Chief of Staff at Inspire Brands, coordinates executive workflows and facilitates strategic alignment across the leadership team. Overseeing high-priority initiatives, the Chief of Staff ensures that corporate objectives remain synchronized with the daily operations of the multi-brand portfolio. Smith manages communication channels between the C-suite and department heads, streamlining decision-making processes to accelerate organizational agility. The Chief of Staff monitors project timelines and resource distribution, providing critical support for the execution of long-term growth strategies. Danielle Smith bridges gaps between functional silos, fostering collaboration to address complex challenges within the hospitality sector. By maintaining a clear focus on corporate priorities, the Chief of Staff enables the executive team to concentrate on market expansion and brand development. Smith drives organizational efficiency, ensuring that every strategic move supports the overarching mission of the company.

    Alexandria Ramsey - Commercial Chief of Staff

    Alexandria Ramsey, the Commercial Chief of Staff at Inspire Brands, manages the commercial strategy and cross-functional execution for the company's diverse restaurant brands. Overseeing revenue-generating projects and market-facing initiatives, the Commercial Chief of Staff ensures that commercial goals align with the broader hospitality mission. Ramsey coordinates with marketing and operations teams to optimize customer engagement strategies across digital and physical platforms. The Commercial Chief of Staff analyzes consumer behavior data to refine service offerings and drive traffic to sandwich shops and coffee houses. Alexandria Ramsey facilitates the implementation of commercial programs, ensuring that brand messaging remains consistent and impactful. By bridging the gap between commercial strategy and operational reality, the Commercial Chief of Staff enhances the company's market presence. Ramsey supports the executive team in identifying new growth opportunities, ensuring that commercial efforts contribute directly to the company's bottom line.

    Ryan Dickerson - Chief Marketing Officer, Sonic Drive

    Ryan Dickerson, the Chief Marketing Officer, Sonic Drive at Inspire Brands, architects the brand identity and promotional strategies for the Sonic Drive-In segment. Overseeing national advertising campaigns and local store marketing, the Chief Marketing Officer, Sonic Drive drives customer acquisition and brand loyalty within the drive-in service category. Dickerson analyzes market trends to develop innovative menu promotions and digital engagement tactics that resonate with the target demographic. The Chief Marketing Officer, Sonic Drive collaborates with operations teams to ensure that marketing promises translate into exceptional guest experiences at every location. Ryan Dickerson manages the brand's creative direction, ensuring that the unique value proposition of the drive-in model remains competitive. By leveraging data-driven insights, the Chief Marketing Officer, Sonic Drive optimizes marketing spend to maximize return on investment, ensuring that the brand maintains its strong market position and continues to grow its footprint.

    Becky Felis - Chief Marketing Officer, International

    Becky Felis, the Chief Marketing Officer, International at Inspire Brands, leads the global brand positioning and marketing strategy for the company's international restaurant portfolio. Overseeing cross-border advertising and consumer engagement initiatives, the Chief Marketing Officer, International ensures that each brand maintains a compelling presence in diverse global markets. Felis develops localized marketing campaigns that respect regional nuances while upholding the global standards of the company. The Chief Marketing Officer, International collaborates with international teams to identify growth opportunities and tailor promotional efforts to local consumer preferences. Becky Felis manages the brand's international reputation, ensuring that marketing activities drive traffic and build long-term loyalty. By analyzing global market trends, the Chief Marketing Officer, International optimizes marketing strategies to support the company's international expansion goals, ensuring that the brand remains a preferred choice for consumers in every region of operation.

    Shannan Siemens - Chief Communications Officer

    Shannan Siemens, the Chief Communications Officer at Inspire Brands, manages the corporate reputation and internal/external communication strategies for the entire organization. Overseeing media relations, crisis management, and brand messaging, the Chief Communications Officer ensures that the company's narrative remains consistent and positive across all stakeholders. Siemens coordinates with leadership to develop communication plans that support corporate initiatives and enhance the company's public image. The Chief Communications Officer monitors media coverage and public sentiment, providing strategic guidance to mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities. Shannan Siemens manages the flow of information to employees, investors, and the public, ensuring transparency and alignment with the company's mission. By crafting compelling stories and managing complex communication challenges, the Chief Communications Officer strengthens the company's brand equity and fosters trust, ensuring that the organization's voice is heard clearly and effectively in the competitive hospitality landscape.

    Kelly McCulloch - Chief People Officer

    Kelly McCulloch, the Chief People Officer at Inspire Brands, directs the human resources strategy, talent acquisition, and organizational culture for the company's global workforce. Overseeing leadership development, employee engagement, and diversity initiatives, the Chief People Officer ensures that the company attracts and retains top talent across all restaurant brands. McCulloch manages the development of training programs that empower employees to deliver exceptional service and grow within the organization. The Chief People Officer aligns human capital strategies with business objectives, fostering a high-performance culture that supports the company's growth. Kelly McCulloch monitors employee satisfaction and organizational health, implementing policies that promote well-being and professional development. By building a strong, inclusive, and motivated workforce, the Chief People Officer ensures that the company has the human capital necessary to achieve its strategic goals and maintain its position as a leader in the hospitality and quick-service restaurant sectors.
    Kelly McCulloch

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Inspire Brands Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Inspire Brands?
    Inspire Brands is led by Katherine Jaspon (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Anthony Rothrauff (Chief Operating Officer) and Frank Sickelsmith (Chief Operating Officer, International).
    Who is part of Inspire Brands’s executive team?
    The executive team of Inspire Brands includes leaders such as Katherine Jaspon (Chief Financial Officer), Anthony Rothrauff (Chief Operating Officer), Frank Sickelsmith (Chief Operating Officer, International) 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 Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Operating Officer, International, Chief Operating Officer - Sonic, Chief of Staff.