India, Oct. 6 -- A familiar face can help a small brand get noticed fast. In 2012, LeBron James, business partner Maverick Carter, and financial adviser Paul Wachter invested less than $1 million in Blaze Pizza, according to a 2017 ESPN report. Blaze had opened 200 restaurants in four years, and the research firm Technomic called it the fastest-growing chain in North American food history.

Rick and Elise Wetzel dreamed up the make-your-own-pizza concept in 2011, with James coming on as an early investor in 2012. He and Carter had already made about $30 million from a stake in Beats by Dre, which Apple bought for $3 billion, and were looking for the next big thing. Wachter said he does not usually advise clients to invest in food business...