Full Course's Approach to Diverse Restaurant Growth and Operational Support

Full Course's Approach to Diverse Restaurant Growth and Operational Support ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Youtube]( [Linkedin]( June 27, 2024 Full Course's Approach to Diverse Restaurant Growth and Operational Support Lauren Fernandez, Founder and CEO of Full Course, shares her journey from being a lawyer to owning multiple restaurant franchises. She discusses crucial methodologies for stabilizing and optimizing restaurant operations and the mission behind Full Course. With expertise in business scaling, inventory management, and fostering equitable growth in the restaurant industry, this episode is packed with must-know strategies for current and aspiring restaurateurs. Welcome to the 'WISKING IT ALL' Podcast – the series where we engage with hospitality professionals and trailblazers who've wagered it all in their pursuits. Join us in exploring their journeys, understanding their motivations, and uncovering the secrets behind their success. Every week, we'll deliver two impactful ideas and one essential insight from our podcast episode, offering perspectives that could fundamentally transform your hospitality business. If you find value in our show, please consider subscribing and leaving a rating on [Spotify](. Your support is vital in helping us grow. Curious about the challenges and lessons I learned while building WISK? Sign up [here]( and join me as I reveal exclusive insights and effective strategies from our successful journey. Your Host, Angelo Esposito THIS WEEK’S EPISODE Meet [Lauren Fernandez](. Lauren Fernandez is the Founder and CEO of Full Course, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in brand licensing, franchising and consumer product development. She previously served as General Counsel for FOCUS Brands and has extensive experience in international business development and franchise administration. Lauren co-founded Origin Development Group, where she successfully turned around and expanded Chicken Salad Chick® units. Her expertise spans product development, intellectual property, and supply chain management, making her a seasoned leader in the foodservice industry. In this insightful episode, Lauren Fernandez, Founder and CEO of Full Course, takes us through her journey from corporate lawyer to thriving restaurant operator. Full Course is a unique incubator and investor in early-stage food and restaurant brands, offering fair growth capital and operational support. We dive into their collaborative approach with founders, particularly underrepresented groups, and explore their innovative solutions for improving restaurant efficiency and staff development. Join us to hear about the essential role of cultural diversity in branding, the power of continuous improvement, tips for leveraging platforms like LinkedIn for professional growth, and many more. Key Insights You Can't-Miss: - Discover why it’s crucial to explain the rationale behind forms and procedures to your team. Empower your staff by giving them the freedom to contribute creatively! - Learn about Full Course’s incubator and accelerator programs. They’re not just about funding but also offer robust operational support to help early-stage brands thrive. - Lauren talks about her experiences with inefficiencies in inventory management and the technological solutions kitchens need to adopt for smoother operations. - Drawing from her time at Novartis, Lauren emphasizes the value of documenting procedures and developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for predictable and repeatable success. - Explore how incorporating a founder’s personal story and cultural background into their brand can create a deeper connection with customers and set your restaurant apart. Did you know? Lauren transitioned from being a general counsel to a full-blown restaurant operator after buying a restaurant franchise just to gain operational experience! Talk about a daring career switch! 🚀 [Watch the full episode on Youtube]( 2 IDEAS FROM THE PODCAST Idea #1 Importance of Systems and Processes in Restaurant Operations Lauren highlights the significance of well-defined systems and processes for efficient restaurant operations. She shares her experience in transforming operational practices to improve efficiency and consistency. Key Action Items: - Document Procedures: Create detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for consistency and training. - Leverage Technology: Use digital inventory systems to streamline operations. - Continuous Improvement: Regularly review and improve processes, encouraging staff feedback. - Train and Empower Employees: Invest in training programs to empower employees. - Systematize Operations: Develop playbooks and cheat sheets for managers to access essential information quickly. Idea #2 Comprehensive Support for Early-Stage Restaurant Brands Lauren discusses Full Course's comprehensive support for early-stage restaurant brands, emphasizing their approach to stabilizing, optimizing, and growing these businesses. Full Course provides extensive operational, marketing, and financial support to ensure the success of the brands they invest in. Key Action Items: - Initial Assessment and Stabilization: Conduct a thorough initial assessment to identify improvement areas. - Optimization: Implement vendor partnerships and optimize operations, including accounting practices and data validation. - Collaborative Growth Strategy: Develop tailored growth strategies using traditional and non-traditional methods. - Continuous Monitoring: Maintain regular management meetings and ongoing consulting. - Education and Development: Provide educational resources and development programs, including a five-year leadership course. [Listen on Spotify]( [Listen on Apple Podcast]( 1 KEY LEARNING ❝ Your job is to use all of those things to the best of your ability in service to others. And if you can figure out what that looks like, you're golden. [❞]( Lauren highlights the essence of purposeful leadership. In the restaurant industry, this mindset encourages leveraging our talents and opportunities to benefit others, fostering a culture of empathy and collaboration. Focusing on service enhances customer experiences and team dynamics, creating a positive, lasting impact on our communities. This approach ultimately leads to a more resilient and successful business. [Listen & Subscribe]( Boost Your Restaurant Leadership Skills with Navigator Membership by the Full Course Foundation Learning Center! Join the Full Course Foundation's Navigator program to access premium training, coaching, and resources dedicated to restaurant leaders. Enhance your skills and knowledge to excel in your career and outshine the competition in the restaurant industry. Navigator offers comprehensive support and exclusive benefits to ensure your success. Grab this exclusive offer now by visiting this [link]( Looking for more insights? Listen to the Wisking It All Podcast on your go-to podcast app and elevate your knowledge of the hospitality world with actionable wisdom from industry leaders. P.S. Love our podcast? Share your feedback and recommend our podcast to other restaurateurs who might appreciate a sprinkle of our episodes! #WiskingItAllPodcast [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Youtube]( [Linkedin]( [TikTok]( Sent to: {EMAIL} [Unsubscribe]( © 2024 Wisking It All... by WISK.ai WISK.ai, 488 Wellington St W , Suite 304, , Toronto, ON M5V 1E3, Canada