Lauren Fernandez
Lauren Fernandez is a fractional legal and growth strategy executive who helps scaling consumer and restaurant brands expand with speed, discipline, and integrity. She partners with founders and executive teams to strengthen commercial execution, reduce risk, and build the legal, operational, and franchise foundations required for sustainable growth.
With more than 20 years of experience as an attorney, operator, investor, and brand builder, Lauren brings rare end-to-end expertise across franchising, licensing, product development, regulatory compliance, and multi-unit operations. Her work spans more than 140 countries and includes mergers and acquisitions, supply-chain development, product launches, and complex regulatory environments.
Lauren is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Full Course, a restaurant development and investment firm that incubates, scales, and accelerates emerging food and restaurant brands. She also serves as Managing Partner of the Full Course Funds, where she supports expansion through early-stage investment combined with hands-on operational and strategic guidance.
Previously, Lauren served as General Counsel and Head of Franchise Administration for FOCUS Brands, overseeing franchising operations across six brands and more than 4,400 units globally, including Carvel, Cinnabon, and Moe’s Southwest Grill. Following her corporate career, she became an owner-operator of 11 Chicken Salad Chick franchised restaurants, leading site selection, development, operations, and an eventual successful exit.
Lauren is known for her ability to bridge legal rigor with commercial reality. She helps brands move faster without cutting corners, translating complexity into clear decisions that protect enterprise value while enabling growth. Founders and boards trust her to navigate high-stakes expansion moments where risk management, speed, and execution must move in lockstep.
Lauren holds a JD and MBA from Emory University and is a Certified Franchise Executive.