Inspire Brands Executive and Leadership Team

July, 2026

Leadership Overview

Inspire Brands has 10 executives leading key functions including operations, finance, marketing, and people.

Driven by a shared technology and operations ecosystem, Inspire Brands strengthens growth, innovation, and customer experience across its diverse portfolio of restaurant brands, impacting global markets through franchise and company-operated locations.

Leadership Roles at Inspire Brands

  • Chief Financial Officer - Katherine Jaspon
  • Chief Operating Officer - Anthony Rothrauff
  • Chief Operating Officer - Sonic - Thomas Deeley
  • Brand President (Jimmy John's) - Darin Dugan
  • Chief of Staff - Danielle Smith
  • Chief of Staff, Commercial - Alexandria Ramsey
  • Chief Marketing Officer, Sonic Drive - Ryan Dickerson
  • Chief People Officer - Kelly McCulloch
  • Chief Communications Officer - Shannan Siemens
  • Chief Technology & AI Acceleration Officer - Yasir Anwar
  • Katherine Jaspon - Chief Financial Officer

    Katherine Jaspon, the Chief Financial Officer at Inspire Brands, directs financial strategy and oversight for the global multi-brand restaurant company. Jaspon manages all aspects of financial planning, analysis, and reporting, ensuring fiscal health across a diverse portfolio including Dunkin' and Baskin-Robbins. This critical role involves optimizing capital allocation to support brand expansion, digital transformation, and operational efficiency initiatives. By providing robust financial insights, Katherine Jaspon enables informed decision-making for franchise development and international market growth. The Chief Financial Officer ensures the company's financial infrastructure supports its mission of strengthening growth and innovation. Jaspon's leadership guides the financial stewardship necessary for sustained success across all Inspire Brands' restaurant concepts.
    Katherine Jaspon

    Anthony Rothrauff - Chief Operating Officer

    Anthony Rothrauff, the Chief Operating Officer at Inspire Brands, directs operational strategies across the company's extensive portfolio of quick-service, casual dining, and dessert brands. Rothrauff oversees the integration of operational efficiencies, ensuring seamless execution of franchise and company-operated locations. This leadership role involves optimizing supply chain logistics and enhancing the customer experience through consistent service delivery. By focusing on operational excellence, Anthony Rothrauff drives the core business functions that support brand expansion and digital transformation initiatives. The Chief Operating Officer ensures alignment with Inspire Brands' overarching goal of strengthening growth and innovation across all its restaurant concepts. Rothrauff's oversight extends to maintaining high standards of operational performance throughout international markets.

    Thomas Deeley - Chief Operating Officer - Sonic

    Thomas Deeley, the Chief Operating Officer - Sonic at Inspire Brands, spearheads operational execution and growth strategies specifically for the SONIC Drive-In brand. Deeley oversees the day-to-day operations of SONIC's extensive network of franchise and company-operated locations, focusing on enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency. This leadership position involves driving initiatives that support brand expansion and digital transformation within the SONIC ecosystem. By ensuring consistent service delivery and operational excellence, Thomas Deeley contributes directly to SONIC's market presence and customer engagement. The Chief Operating Officer - Sonic works to integrate SONIC's unique operational model with Inspire Brands' broader support capabilities in analytics and supply chain. Deeley's focus is on strengthening SONIC's growth trajectory and innovation pipeline.
    Thomas Deeley

    Darin Dugan - Brand President (Jimmy John's)

    Darin Dugan, the Brand President (Jimmy John's) at Inspire Brands, leads the strategic direction and operational oversight for the Jimmy John's sandwich chain. Dugan focuses on driving growth, innovation, and enhancing the customer experience specific to the Jimmy John's brand. This leadership position involves optimizing franchise development and digital transformation efforts tailored to the quick-service sandwich market. By implementing targeted marketing and operational strategies, Darin Dugan strengthens Jimmy John's market presence and competitive advantage. The Brand President (Jimmy John's) ensures alignment with Inspire Brands' broader ecosystem while championing the unique identity and operational needs of Jimmy John's. Dugan's leadership directly contributes to the brand's expansion and sustained success within the Inspire Brands portfolio.
    Darin Dugan

    Danielle Smith - Chief of Staff

    Danielle Smith, the Chief of Staff at Inspire Brands, facilitates strategic initiatives and operational alignment across the multi-brand restaurant company. Smith supports executive leadership in driving key projects related to franchise development, digital transformation, and brand expansion. This role involves coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive execution of the company's ecosystem strategy. By managing critical communications and operational workflows, Danielle Smith enhances the effectiveness of centralized capabilities in analytics, loyalty, and consumer engagement. The Chief of Staff plays a pivotal part in translating the company's vision into actionable plans, supporting the growth and innovation objectives for brands like Arby's and Dunkin'. Smith ensures that operational efficiency is maintained while supporting the unique needs of each brand within the portfolio.

    Alexandria Ramsey - Chief of Staff, Commercial

    Alexandria Ramsey, the Chief of Staff, Commercial at Inspire Brands, drives strategic alignment and execution within the company's commercial operations. Ramsey supports leadership in optimizing the shared technology, operations, and marketing ecosystem that benefits all portfolio brands. This role focuses on enhancing commercial strategies to foster growth, innovation, and superior customer experiences across quick-service, casual dining, and dessert categories. By facilitating cross-functional collaboration, Alexandria Ramsey ensures that commercial initiatives effectively support franchise development and digital transformation efforts. The Chief of Staff, Commercial plays a key part in leveraging centralized capabilities like analytics and consumer engagement to drive brand expansion. Ramsey's work directly contributes to strengthening the overall market impact and operational efficiency of Inspire Brands' diverse restaurant portfolio.

    Ryan Dickerson - Chief Marketing Officer, Sonic Drive

    Ryan Dickerson, the Chief Marketing Officer, Sonic Drive at Inspire Brands, directs marketing strategies and brand development for the SONIC Drive-In brand. Dickerson oversees the creation and execution of campaigns designed to enhance customer engagement and drive traffic to SONIC locations. This leadership role involves leveraging consumer insights and market analytics to inform marketing initiatives that support brand expansion and digital transformation. By focusing on innovative marketing approaches, Ryan Dickerson strengthens SONIC's unique market position and customer appeal. The Chief Marketing Officer, Sonic Drive ensures marketing efforts align with the brand's operational strengths and Inspire Brands' overall ecosystem strategy. Dickerson's work directly contributes to driving growth and customer experience improvements for SONIC across its extensive network.

    Kelly McCulloch - Chief People Officer

    Kelly McCulloch, the Chief People Officer at Inspire Brands, leads human capital strategy and organizational development across the global multi-brand restaurant company. McCulloch oversees talent acquisition, employee engagement, and leadership development programs designed to support growth and innovation. This role is critical in fostering a culture that enhances customer experience and operational efficiency throughout the portfolio. By championing people-centric initiatives, Kelly McCulloch ensures that Inspire Brands attracts and retains top talent necessary for brand expansion and digital transformation. The Chief People Officer plays a vital part in building a strong organizational foundation that supports the company's mission. McCulloch's leadership ensures that the people strategy aligns with the operational and strategic objectives across all restaurant brands.
    Kelly McCulloch

    Shannan Siemens - Chief Communications Officer

    Shannan Siemens, the Chief Communications Officer at Inspire Brands, directs corporate communications and public relations strategies for the global multi-brand restaurant company. Siemens manages internal and external communications, ensuring consistent messaging that supports brand expansion, innovation, and customer experience initiatives. This role involves shaping the narrative around Inspire Brands' shared technology, operations, and marketing ecosystem. By overseeing strategic communication plans, Shannan Siemens enhances the company's reputation and stakeholder engagement. The Chief Communications Officer plays a key part in articulating the company's mission and leadership philosophy to diverse audiences. Siemens's work ensures that communication efforts effectively support operational efficiency and the growth objectives across all portfolio brands, including Arby's and Buffalo Wild Wings.

    Yasir Anwar - Chief Technology & AI Acceleration Officer

    Yasir Anwar, the Chief Technology & AI Acceleration Officer at Inspire Brands, spearheads the company's technology strategy and the integration of artificial intelligence across its multi-brand portfolio. Anwar drives digital transformation initiatives, focusing on leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency, customer experience, and brand expansion. This role involves developing and implementing advanced technological solutions that support the company's shared ecosystem. By accelerating AI adoption, Yasir Anwar positions Inspire Brands at the forefront of innovation in the restaurant industry. The Chief Technology & AI Acceleration Officer ensures that technology investments align with the company's mission to strengthen growth across all its diverse restaurant concepts. Anwar's leadership is critical in optimizing data analytics, loyalty programs, and consumer engagement through cutting-edge technological advancements.
    Yasir Anwar

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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 Thomas Deeley (Chief Operating Officer - Sonic).
    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), Thomas Deeley (Chief Operating Officer - Sonic) 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 - Sonic, Brand President (Jimmy John's), Chief of Staff.