MEET THE
uncommon TEAM

Chief Executive Officer 

Garrett Mills is the CEO of Uncommon Brands, a Crux Capital investment vehicle and portfolio company. He is a seasoned executive with a remarkable track record in the restaurant industry. 

Previously, Garrett was a Senior Director at Peak Franchise Capital, focusing on restaurant mergers and acquisitions. Prior to Peak, he served as the President and CEO of Chandler Hospitality Group, a restaurant holding company based in Oklahoma. At Chandler, Garrett oversaw a portfolio of over 60 units operating in 9 states across multiple brands. He was instrumental in the company’s development of new brands and served in financial and strategic roles prior to running the overall business. After earning his MBA from Northwestern University, Garrett worked for Goldman Sachs in the investment management division. Before business school, he spent 6 seasons as a professional athlete in the National Football League. Garrett played as a tight end for several NFL franchises, including the New England Patriots. 

Vice President of Technology 

Adam is the Vice President of Technology at Uncommon Brands and has dedicated his career to utilizing technology to improve growth and efficiency in the restaurant industry. He specializes in high-growth concepts and has played vital roles in scaling operations and incorporating innovative technology solutions. 

Adam was previously the VP of Technology on the team that acquired fast casuals Original ChopShop and Bellagreen. He helped expand ChopShop from 3 to 23 stores and Bellagreen from 5 to 10 stores. Adam also played a key role in the successful exit of the Bellagreen business. Before this, Adam served as the Director of Store Systems at Smoothie King, where he revamped the team and technology stack. He also substantially contributed to Cafe Rio Mexican Grill’s growth and was pivotal in expanding the brand from a regional player to a nationwide presence. 

Adam’s career began on the consulting team at Radiant Systems (now NCR). This early experience working with top hospitality brands and developing solutions to optimize restaurant operations laid a strong foundation for his subsequent roles. 

Senior Director of Finance 

Jack Franken is the Director of Finance at Uncommon Brands. As a Certified Public Accountant, he oversees both the finance and accounting practices at Uncommon Brands. 

Prior to this role, Jack served at Wingstop with a focus on corporate store finance and then managed the finances for Wingstop’s international division. During his time with Wingstop, Jack enhanced company store performance and margins, helped strategize the company’s 3rd Party Delivery promotional structure, and led analysis on the company’s Coca-Cola contract among other initiatives. Before Wingstop, Jack worked in the Finance Department at Corner Bakery Café and as an auditor at Deloitte. 

Vice President of Operations

Pete Botonis serves as Vice President of Operations at Uncommon Brands, where he leads operational strategy, execution, and team development across the company’s growing portfolio.

Prior to Uncommon Brands, Pete served as Vice President of Operations at Velvet Taco, where he helped stabilize the team while driving consistency and performance across markets. Before that, he was Chief Operating Officer at Marugame Udon USA, overseeing operations and supporting the concept’s U.S. expansion.

Pete spent more than 15 years with Pei Wei Asian Diner, where he played a foundational role in the brand’s growth—from leading the first location to supporting its expansion to more than 200 restaurants nationwide.

He is known for building high-performing teams and implementing disciplined operating systems that enable consistent execution and sustainable growth.

Director of Training 

Joe Franks is the Director of Training at Uncommon Brands and brings over a decade of experience in the restaurant industry. Prior to this role, he served in training operations for Velvet Taco across the Austin, San Antonio and Houston regions. Joe has successfully designed and implemented training programs for new restaurant openings and has developed tools that enhance operational efficiency. 

Before joining Velvet Taco in 2020, Joe served as Managing Partner at Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers. His leadership abilities were further honed during his tenure as Director of Operations at Fazoli’s, where he supervised 15 restaurants and achieved significant year-over-year sales growth and customer satisfaction improvements. His passion for developing talent and optimizing restaurant operations is complemented by his strong financial acumen, having prepared, and monitored budgets and reviewed financials to ensure targets were met. 

Vice President of Real Estate 

Stephen Wall is the Vice President of Real Estate at Uncommon Brands, where his professional expertise in architectural design, real estate, and construction keep his finger on the pulse of growing and elevating renowned and emerging brands across the fast casual restaurant space. 

Prior to this role, Stephen served in the shaping of distinguished brands such as Zoe’s Kitchen, Yum! Brands, and Velvet Taco. During his tenure at Yum! Brands, Stephen’s innovative approach to store layouts and site selection not only enhanced the brand’s customer experience but also contributed to its rapid growth and market presence. While working for Zoe’s Kitchen/Cava, Stephen’s work involved optimizing design and procurement and overseeing construction projects that supported the brand’s national expansion. Wall’s ability to streamline processes and implement cost effective design decisions helped drive the brand’s success in a competitive fast casual market. 

Additionally, Stephen’s involvement with Velvet Taco showcases his proficiency in crafting unique dining experiences. His strategic design and construction solutions helped elevate the restaurant’s ambiance and operational functionality, making Velvet Taco a standout in the casual dining sector. 

Operations Support Manager

With over 15 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Brooke has played an integral role in opening more than 30 new restaurant locations across the country, most recently with Velvet Taco. Her career has taken her on the road to train and prepare teams for successful openings — an experience that’s fueled her love for travel, discovery, and connecting with people. 

Outside of work, Brooke enjoys exploring new cities, learning about local history, and diving into a good book (she’ll tell you reading is a must). Known for her ability to thrive on solo adventures, she brings the same curiosity and confidence to her work — empowering others, sharing knowledge, and helping people grow within the industry. 

Senior Financial Analyst 

Heberto Guajardo de Valle is a Senior Financial Analyst at Uncommon Brands, where he supports financial performance and strategic decision-making across the company’s restaurant concepts. He is responsible for analyzing financial statements, developing KPI dashboards, identifying opportunities to enhance margins, supporting the close of each financial period, and preparing presentations for the Board of Directors.

Before joining Uncommon Brands, Heberto served as an Analyst at Sun Holdings, one of the largest franchise operators in the United States. In this role, he prepared budgets for more than 1,200 stores, contributed to labor optimization initiatives, executed ad hoc financial projects, and supported acquisition analyses across the company’s multi-brand portfolio.