A life-sized model of a Dunkin’ airport kiosk. Fryers with robotic attachments. The latest to-go lockers and pickup stations. These are just a few of the things you can see at Inspire Brands Innovation Center (IBIC), where our 2025 Inspire Intern class of nearly 70 enthusiastic students from 38 colleges and universities received an exclusive tour.
“My manager references the innovation center almost daily, so I couldn’t wait to see it,” says Inspire Engineering and Design Intern Malachi Chipp – a senior at Maryville College. As a part of the Operations Excellence department, Malachi has spent many hours reviewing the center’s floorplan to better understand his team’s insights. “Seeing the center firsthand gave me a better understanding of the space and how everything comes together. It looks very different in-person compared to the CAD drawings on my computer screen!”
Selected from six thousand applicants, nearly 70 interns joined the Inspire Internship Program at our Atlanta and Boston Support Centers this summer. From behind-the-scenes tours at IBIC to operations immersion in our restaurants, interns receive hands-on experience in and out of the office.
At the Boston Support Center, Category Management Beverage Intern Avery Dinsdale is working with three other interns to create a fully themed, limited-time offer (LTO) menu for Dunkin’. For the category management team, it’s an opportunity to push interns to build their approach to food and beverage with marketing in mind. For Avery, it’s a dream project with real products and experienced mentors.
“Being trusted with a project that could actually come to life for Dunkin fans is so rewarding,” says Avery – a senior at Ohio State University. “This whole experience has really pushed me on creativity and collaboration. It’s been so cool to see how an idea evolves into a full campaign.”
Another highlight of the program is Lunch and Learn opportunities, providing face-to-face meetings for interns with leaders across the company. Throughout the summer, our interns join CEO Paul Brown for lunch or coffee, during which they ask him questions directly to gain tailored insights and advice.
In the Atlanta Global Support Center, Training Development Intern CJ Maurer, a graduate from Kennesaw State University, found this interaction especially impactful. “I asked Paul about the challenges he’s faced throughout his career, and he gave me a clear and honest answer. I’m new in my career and have already had to make shifts and decisions to shape it, so it’s validating to hear someone like Paul Brown has been in similar situations.”
Inspire’s 2025 Internship Program concludes Friday, August 8. As students wrap up their projects and prepare for what’s next, many are reflecting on a summer well spent.
“This internship has taught me that I don’t have to be stuck in a box,” shares Buffalo Wild Wings Multimedia Intern Jasmine Aust – a senior at Kennesaw State University. “Being able to see all sides of the brand has been eye-opening. I love to dabble, and now I know there really are endless possibilities and career paths ahead.”
Inspire’s internship program invites young professionals to experience the restaurant industry through roles across multiple departments and brands.
To learn more about our interns and their experiences at Inspire this summer, watch Inspire’s Instagram and follow us on LinkedIn.
Interested in a career with Inspire and our brands? Visit our Careers website.
