An IPO From Dunkin’s Parent Company Wouldn’t Be a Tech Moonshot. That Could Be Its Biggest Advantage

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Inspire Brands is reportedly eyeing a return to the public markets. An expert explains what it could mean for investors.

An IPO From Dunkin's Parent Company Wouldn't Be a Tech Moonshot. That Could Be Its Biggest Advantage

Dunkin’ could soon belong to the public markets again.

Inspire Brands, the restaurant group behind Dunkin’ and Arby’s, is eyeing a public offering as early as the end of this year, though the timeline could stretch into early 2027, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke with The Wall Street Journal.

Dunkin’ isn’t a stranger to the public markets. The chain traded on Nasdaq under the ticker DNKN before Inspire Brands took it private in a 2020 acquisition worth roughly $11.3 billion.

Now, the bigger question is what that offering ends up at.

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Comparable companies, including Jersey Mike’s, have seen shaky

Comparable companies, including Jersey Mike’s, have seen shaky stock performance since debuting, a warning sign that could pressure Inspire, which is backed by private equity firm Roark Capital Group, into pricing its shares lower than some investors had initially hoped.

However, experts believe that predictability could work in Inspire’s favor, even amid uncertain market conditions.

“Mature companies, as with Inspire Brands, are much easier to value than flashy tech startups whose future profits are very uncertain,” Jay Ritter, professor of finance and director of the IPO Initiative at the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business, often referred to as “Mr. IPO,” told Inc.

Source: www.inc.com