Lauren Fernandez

Lauren Fernandez is the CEO and Founder of Full Course, a restaurant development and investment firm that incubates and accelerates emerging fast casual restaurant brands. Lauren also serves as the Managing Partner at Full Course Private Equity, a Board of Councilors member at The Carter Center, Chair of the Board of Directors at NaanStop and Fripper's, and a Board Member at KMG LLC. With a background in consulting and expertise in growth through franchise programs and licensing opportunities, Lauren is also the Principal at The Fernandez Company. Lauren co-founded and served as President & Operating Partner at Origin Development Group, and was a Multi-Unit Franchise Owner at Chicken Salad Chick. Additionally, Lauren has experience as an Adjunct Professor at Emory University School of Law and held various executive roles at FOCUS Brands. Lauren holds an MBA in Marketing, a JD in Intellectual Property, a BA in English, and has studied as a Visiting Student at Universidad Complutense de Madrid.