Ep12: Lauren Fernandez: Innovating the Restaurant Industry with People-First Strategies

Your Business – Your Next Level

Key Takeaways:

People-First Innovation: Lauren Fernandez emphasizes the importance of people-centric innovation in the restaurant industry, combining technological advancements with a deep understanding of operational needs.

Strategic Growth: The critical role of strategic growth planning, focusing on efficiency and quality control, to help restaurant brands thrive in a competitive market.

Access to Capital: Addressing the capital gap for underrepresented founders, highlighting the need for diverse and inclusive investment practices.

Educational Support: Full Course’s commitment to providing education and mentoring through its nonprofit platform to empower restaurant owners and operators.

Resilient Leadership: The importance of resilience, grit, and a collaborative mindset in successful entrepreneurship.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of "Your Business Your Next Level," I had the privilege of speaking with Lauren Fernandez, the CEO and founder of Full Course, a restaurant development and investment firm. Lauren shares her remarkable journey from pharmaceuticals to the restaurant industry, bringing a wealth of knowledge in product development, licensing, and franchising. We discuss the challenges and opportunities in the restaurant industry, particularly focusing on innovative solutions for efficiency and quality control. Lauren also delves into the critical need for access to capital for underrepresented founders and the role of education and mentoring in driving success. Tune in to learn from Lauren's extensive experience and her commitment to fostering growth and resilience in the restaurant industry.

Timeline Summary:

[00:00] - Introduction to Lauren Fernandez and her background.

[01:00] - Lauren’s journey from pharmaceuticals to the restaurant industry.

[04:00] - The importance of fully understanding and managing costs in the restaurant business.

[07:00] - The role of Full Course in addressing the capital gap and providing education and mentoring.

[10:00] - Innovative solutions for efficiency and quality control in restaurants.

[12:00] - The significance of people-centric innovation and operational understanding.

[17:00] - The impact of strategic growth planning and the importance of resilience and collaboration.

[24:00] - Advice for entrepreneurs on avoiding common pitfalls and maximizing success.

[31:00] - The importance of proactive investment and voting with your pocketbook.

[35:00] - Closing thoughts and where to find more information about Lauren Fernandez and Full Course.

Links & Resources:

https://fullcourse.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenefernandez/