About Full course

We are agents of change.

We're building an equitable and inclusive restaurant industry, where all faces and flavors have a seat at the table. We do this through education, development, and early-stage investment in people and brands who represent the cultural fabric of this country.
Powered by our purpose, we believe people are the heart of our industry.
Lauren Fernandez

Lauren Fernandez

CEO

Former General Counsel of FOCUS Brands turned restaurant operator, Lauren brings nearly 20 years experience in brand licensing; franchising; and consumer product development.
Learn more
James Kahler

James Kahler

COO

Successful multi-unit operator dedicated to coaching and mentoring business owners and their teams to maximize top line sales growth and bottom line profitability.
Learn more
Lissa Bowen

Lissa Bowen

Chief People + Culture Officer

Lissa Bowen has over three decades of experience in restaurant operations, talent recruitment, retention, and company culture.
Learn more
Lauren Barash

Lauren Barash

VP, Brand Marketing

Lauren brings nearly 20 years of experience in integrated marketing, PR, branding and digital strategy with brands like Moe’s Southwest Grill, Edible and Zaxby’s.
Learn more
AJ Baird

AJ Baird

Chief Development Officer

As former COO of Southern Rock Restaurants, AJ championed growth initiatives including real estate selection, new product development, menu engineering and operational innovation.
Learn more
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jeff Heck

Jeff Heck

Co-Founder + CEO

Jeff Heck co-founded Monday Night Brewing more than 10 years ago and currently serves as the company’s CEO.
Learn more
Roger David

Roger David

President + CEO

Roger David serves as the CEO of Gold Star Chili and Tom & Chee with a keen focus on training, development and branding.
Learn more
John C. Metz, Jr.

John C. Metz, Jr.

Co-founder + CEO

As executive chef, CEO and co-founder of Marlow’s Tavern, the Woodall and Sterling Culinary Management, Metz is highly skilled at developing and operating successful restaurant companies.
Learn more
our investments

The Stories We're Helping Tell

Our Client Partners

Neal and Samir Idnani of NaanStop
naanstop

Neal and Samir Idnani

You know them as NaanStop, your favorite place to grab everyday, soulful Indian dishes like chicken tikka masala, dal and rice, award-winning samosas and rosewater lemonade.
our partnershipnaanstop
Colin Miles and Brandon West of Fripper's
Fripper's

Brandon West and Colin Miles

Or as you know them, chefs-turned-artisan meats business, Fripper's. They're the hot dogs, pepperoni, bologna and bratwurst with easy-to-read, non-scary labels because they're making real, quality food.

our partnership
fripper's
why i do this

“Food is a beautiful way to create connection between people and cultures. Restaurants are the perfect ambassadors.”

Lauren Fernandez, CEO
On Full Course's mission to create a more inclusive, equitable restaurant industry.
Lauren on client retreat
Lissa showing off growth planning game
why i do this

“People think our industry is about food. Actually, we're in the people business. Food is our product.”

Lissa Bowen, Chief People + Culture Officer
On Full Course's guiding principle of building restaurants and cultures that put people first.
why i do this

“Let's get you out of working in the business so you can work on the business. Servant leaders are forged in the trenches and rise up to lead.”

James Kahler, COO
On the importance of leaders getting out from behind the line.
join the revolution
You didn't open your business to do it like everyone else. Neither did we.
We're here to build a restaurant industry that values people over profit, champions diversity over homogeny, and celebrates real food.
Reach out to learn more about how we're doing it and how you can get involved.
book a call
Learning meets private investment.
Powered by Full Course.
EducationFranchisingInvestment
About UsContact UsReferral Program
Copyright © 2022 Full Course. All rights reserved.