Inspire Brands Welcomes Kelly McCulloch Lead Global People Strategy
HOSPITALITY
Inspire Brands hires Kelly McCulloch as Chief People Office (CPO).
The restaurant industry is in a constant state of transformation, driven not only by technology and menu innovation but by the dedicated people on the front lines. Acknowledging this reality, Inspire Brands—one of the world's largest and most dynamic multi-brand restaurant companies—recently announced a major strategic hire, tapping an industry veteran known for leading massive, complex workforces: Kelly McCulloch, as the new head of its global People function.
Kelly joins Inspire Brands with more than two decades of human resources leadership experience cultivated at some of the world’s most complex organizations. Her resume speaks directly to the scale and challenges of managing a vast, diverse global workforce.
Before stepping into her new role at Inspire, Kelly served as the Senior Vice President of People for Walmart U.S., where she was instrumental in leading the End-to-End People team responsible for powering more than 1.3 million Walmart associates. Prior to that, she held the role of Global Chief People Officer for Taco Bell, overseeing the company’s comprehensive people strategy for team members worldwide. Her track record demonstrates an ability to implement high-impact strategies across both corporate and frontline environments.
The Commitment to a People-First Culture
Kelly’s arrival signals Inspire Brands’ reinforced commitment to its nearly 650,000 company and franchise team members—the foundational workforce driving brand success across Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and Sonic Drive-In.
Paul Brown, Inspire Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, emphasized this focus. “At Inspire, our team members are the foundation of everything we do—from delivering exceptional guest experiences to driving innovation across our brands,” Brown stated. “We are committed to the success of our nearly 650,000 company and franchise team members, and Kelly’s leadership will be critical in continuing to elevate the support, development, and resources we provide our dynamic, global workforce.”
Kelly will assume leadership of Inspire’s global People function, where she will oversee the crucial elements that define an employee's experience: talent strategy, organizational effectiveness, total rewards, and culture initiatives. A key part of her mandate will be ensuring that People strategies are closely aligned with core business goals while meeting the unique needs of team members at every level, from the support center to the restaurant floor.
Empowering the Front Line
The company’s leadership recognizes that a successful corporate strategy must be matched by a deep commitment to its people. Scott Catlett, Inspire Chief Legal and Administrative Officer, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration. “Kelly brings deep experience in fostering strong, enterprise-wide cultures that empower team members from the support center to the front line,” he noted. “I look forward to working alongside her to further strengthen our People function to deliver results for our team members and stakeholders.”
Kelly herself expressed excitement about joining a company focused on transformative change. “Inspire has built a truly differentiated restaurant company that is taking a transformative view of the industry, and our team members are at the heart of that journey,” Kelly said. “I’m inspired by the company’s genuine commitment to putting people first—from creating pathways for career advancement to fostering inclusive environments where everyone can thrive. I look forward to advancing a people-first strategy that champions team member growth, recognizes their contributions, and ensures they have the tools and support needed to succeed alongside Inspire’s future success.”
This key appointment solidifies Inspire Brands’ strategy: investing in world-class leadership to ensure its massive global workforce is supported, developed, and equipped to drive the future of the restaurant industry.