Paul Brown | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Education | Georgia Institute of Technology (BS) Northwestern University (MS,MBA) |
| Occupation(s) | Co-Founder and CEO ofInspire Brands |
Paul J. Brown is an American businessman and the co-founder and chief executive officer ofInspire Brands.[1] He is the former chief executive officer ofArby’s.[2]
Brown is an alumnus ofGeorgia Tech where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in management.[3] He also received an MBA fromNorthwestern University’sKellogg School of Management and a Master of Engineering Management from theRobert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science.[4]
Brown was previously the President of Brands and Commercial Services ofHilton Worldwide, President ofExpedia North America and Senior Vice President of Global Brand Services atInterContinental Hotels Group.[2] He also held positions withThe Boston Consulting Group andMcKinsey & Company.[5][6]
In May 2013, Brown became Chief Executive Officer of Arby’s.[7] During his tenure as CEO of Arby’s, the brand introduced a new restaurant design and launched the “We Have The Meats” marketing campaign.[8] Brown also introduced new menu items including smokehouse brisket, pork belly, gyros, deep-fried turkey, and venison.[9] Brown led Arby’s international development agreements to expand in toKuwait,Saudi Arabia, andEgypt.[10]
In 2017, under Brown’s leadership, Fortune named Arby’s to its 100 Best Workplaces list for Millennials, Women, and Diversity.[11] Restaurant Business credited Brown for the turnaround of the Arby’s business.[12]
In February 2018, Brown andNeal Aronson ofRoark Capital Group founded Inspire Brands when Arby’s completed its acquisition ofBuffalo Wild Wings for $2.9 billion.[13]
In December 2018, under Brown’s leadership, Inspire completed its acquisition of SONIC Drive-In for $2.3 billion.[14]
In October 2019, Inspire completed its acquisition of sandwich chain Jimmy John’s.[15]
Inspire Brands on October 25, 2020, announced that it was buyingDunkin' Brands for $11.3 billion.[16][17]
The acquisition was completed on December 15, 2020.[18]
Brown was named byBusiness Insider in 2019 as one of the 100 People Transforming Business.[19] He was also named a 2018 Norman Award recipient by Nation’s Restaurant News, a 2018 Silver Plate honoree by IFMA, the 2017 Restaurant Leader of the Year by Restaurant Business, and a 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year in Retail and Consumer Products in the Southeast by EY.[20]
Brown is chairman of the board of directors of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. He also serves on the boards of the Georgia Tech Foundation, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee and several other community organizations.