The Company That Secretly Owns Subway, Dunkin’ and Arby’s

Subway looks like an independent fast-food giant. But behind it stands a private equity firm that has quietly assembled one of the largest restaurant empires in America. Roark Capital’s network reaches far beyond Subway. Through its investments and affiliated companies, it is connected to brands including Dunkin’, Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Sonic, Jimmy John’s, Baskin-Robbins, Cinnabon, Auntie Anne’s and many more. In this documentary, we examine how Roark built its enormous franchise empire, why restaurant chains are so attractive to private equity, and how thousands of supposedly separate locations can ultimately lead back to the same financial machine. This is not simply the story of Subway. It is the story of how modern ownership works—and how a company most customers have never heard of gained influence over many of America’s most recognizable restaurants. Subscribe to Warden & Rowe for documentaries about money, power, corporate empires and the hidden systems shaping modern business. #subway #history #business