Cooking Up Expansion: How Uncommon Brands Is Stirring the Pot in F&B

Original Article: D Magazine - April 29, 2025

Big thanks to journalist Layten Praytor of D Magazine for the feature! “Capital Meets Kitchen” explores how Uncommon Brands, led by former NFL player Garrett Mills, is growing its restaurant portfolio by backing standout food and beverage concepts.

Uncommon Brands isn’t just investing in restaurants—they’re backing flavor with firepower. With a playbook that targets standout concepts ready to scale (think 4 to 20 locations and menus with attitude), their first pickup says it all: Fuego Tortilla Grill. Home to tacos stuffed with brisket mac and cheese or fried chicken, cream corn and gravy, Fuego brings the heat—and Uncommon Brands is here to fan the flames. “We’re looking for great concepts with great financials where we can add fuel to the fire,” says founder Garrett Mills.

Mission accepted.

Uncommon Brands launched with a $55 million appetite and a plan: three bold acquisitions, each ready to scale. So far, they’ve plated two—first came Fuego Tortilla Group with its unapologetically Tex-Mex twist, then The Rice Box, a fast-rising Chinese-American favorite rooted in Houston. Now, founder Garrett Mills is hunting for the final concept to complete the inaugural fund’s trio. “In all scenarios, we want to ensure we seed the company with capital growth,” Mills says. “We add cash to the balance sheet to fund near-term growth.” Translation? They’re not just buying in—they’re building up.

For former NFL player Garrett Mills, building Uncommon Brands was never just about writing checks—it was about rolling up sleeves. “I think we’ve built something unmatched in the industry,” he says. That means stepping in, not stepping back. The firm doesn’t just invest—they operate. From day one, Mills made it clear: when Uncommon acquires a brand or partners with a founder, it’s not “Here’s some capital and good luck.” It’s: “Let’s get to work.”