After a dizzying decade of deals, a secretive German family and an American fast-food titan have suddenly crossed paths. : Inspire Brands cofounders Paul Brown (left) and Neal Aronson (right) started a massive acquisition ... [+] spree in 2018. The reported $8.8 billion bid for Dunkin’ by Aronson’s Inspire Brands, if concluded, will put the owner of Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Sonic, and Jimmy John’s in direct competition with billionaire-backed JAB, the coffee giant that owns Au Bon Pain, Pret a Manger and Panera PNRA .