For Inspire Brands, Arby's is the chain that started it all. Brown led Arby's in an impressive turnaround effort after joining as CEO in 2013, taking risks designed to make Arby's stand out and grab headlines.
"We had to one, come up with a way of talking about ourselves in a voice that actually stood out, but we also had to be more creative about all the channels that you could use to get the message out," Brown told Business Insider in 2017.
In November 2017, Arby's announced plans to acquire Buffalo Wild Wings for about $2.9 billion. In February, the company announced it had closed the deal and was forming Inspire Brands with Brown at the helm.
"I think there's an opportunity to step way back and say it's not and let it define its own category — a little bit of what we did with Arby's," Brown told Business Insider in February.
Rusty Taco, a chain with just 28 locations, was part of the Buffalo Wild Wings deal. But, it's unlikely that Inspire will purchase another similarly small brand.
"Buying really small brands and trying to really grow them is not part of the stated strategy," Brown said in February.
"We like R Taco, which came along with Buffalo Wild Wings, and that has some opportunity to do some fun and interesting things with it," Brown continued. "We like to incubate a brand or two along the way, but that's not our stated strategy."
Sonic — known for its burgers, quirky menu items, and extensive beverage options— is the largest drive-in chain in the US with more than 3,600 locations. The chain will continue to operate as an independent brand out of its Oklahoma City headquarters.
"Sonic has had a significant focus on innovation, especially in guest-facing digital technologies," Inspire Brands said in a statement. "In addition, its menu — especially its beverage innovation — is truly unique. Each of these areas are great growth opportunities for Inspire's current brands."
