Inspire Brands to Acquire Dunkin’ Brands for $11.3 Billion

Paul, Weiss is advising Inspire Brands, Inc. in its acquisition of Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc., parent company of Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins, in a transaction valued at approximately $11.3 billion. Inspire is one of the largest restaurant companies globally, with a current portfolio that includes more than 11,000 Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, SONIC Drive-In, and Jimmy John’s restaurants worldwide.

The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2020, subject to customary closing conditions. Following the completion of the transaction, Inspire will acquire all remaining shares not tendered in the tender offer through a second-step merger at the same price. Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins will be operated as distinct brands within Inspire.

The Paul, Weiss team included, among others, corporate partners Jeffrey Marell, Robert Schumer, Robert Zochowski, Charles Pesant, Jordan Yarett, Amran Hussein, Sarah Stasny and Marco Masotti and counsel Daniel Layfield, Suhan Shim, Christopher Poggi, Patricia Vaz de Almeida, Evan Berman and Mikhel Schecter; employee benefits partner Lawrence Witdorchic and counsel Jarrett Hoffman; tax partner Scott Sontag; intellectual property partner Claudine Meredith-Goujon; real estate partner Salvatore Gogliormella; antitrust counsel Marta Kelly; litigation counsel Michelle Parikh and Steven Herzog; and environmental counsel William O’Brien.