Operations

Uncommon Brands assembles team to scale restaurant concepts

Robb Cherne, VP of Operations; Joe Franks, director of Training; Jack Franken, director of Finance; Garrett Mills, CEO; Diana Soliz, director of Human Resources; Stephen Wall, VP of Real Estate and Adam Griffith, VP of Technology. Photo: Uncommon Brands

February 18, 2025

Uncommon Brands, a holding company investing in and scaling restaurant brands, is building a leadership team with the addition of seasoned professionals to its executive roster.

"Our mission is to partner with restaurant brands that have strong fundamentals and compelling vision for growth but lack the infrastructure or capital to scale on their own," Garrett Mills, CEO of Uncommon Brands and former NFL player, said in a company press release. "With our new leadership team in place, we are uniquely positioned to unlock the potential of these brands while preserving the essence of what makes them extraordinary."

The team includes:

• Vice President of Operations Robb Cherne, who held leadership roles at Velvet Taco, California Pizza Kitchen and Texas Roadhouse.
• Vice President of Technology Adam Griffith helped expand Original ChopShop from three to 23 units and revolutionized technology platforms at Smoothie King.
• Vice President of Real Estate Stephen Wall, who has used his expertise in architectural design, real estate and construction, to help shape Zoe's Kitchen, Velvet Taco and Yum Brands.

"We are more than a holding company — we are a team of operators who understand the challenges restaurateurs face daily," Mills said. "Our hands-on approach enables us to amplify each brand's success while preserving its unique identity and legacy."

Backed by Crux Capital, Uncommon Brands combines financial, operational and conceptual expertise to unlock the growth potential of its portfolio brands.