--- title: About Us description: We're building an equitable and inclusive restaurant industry, where all faces and flavors have a seat at the table. --- [![FullCourse-InvestorLogo-Wide](https://fullcourse.com/hs-fs/hubfs/FullCourse-InvestorLogo-Wide.png?width=200&height=22&name=FullCourse-InvestorLogo-Wide.png "FullCourse-InvestorLogo-Wide")](https://www.fullcourse.com?hsLang=en) - [Who We Help](https://fullcourse.com/who) - [How We Work](https://fullcourse.com/consulting) - [Franchising](https://fullcourse.com/franchising) - [Investment](https://fullcourse.com/investment-for-brands) - [Resources](https://fullcourse.com/resources) - [About](https://fullcourse.com/about-us) - [Our Team](https://fullcourse.com/about-us#team) - [Our Values](https://fullcourse.com/about-us#values) - [Press](https://fullcourse.com/press-room) - [Contact](https://fullcourse.com/contact-us) - [Assessment](https://fullcourse.com/consultinghttps://fullcourse.com/training#assessment) [![FullCourse-InvestorLogo-Wide](https://fullcourse.com/hs-fs/hubfs/FullCourse-InvestorLogo-Wide.png?width=200&height=22&name=FullCourse-InvestorLogo-Wide.png "FullCourse-InvestorLogo-Wide")](https://www.fullcourse.com?hsLang=en) - [Who We Help](https://fullcourse.com/who) - [How We Work](https://fullcourse.com/consulting) - [Franchising](https://fullcourse.com/franchising) - [Investment](https://fullcourse.com/investment-for-brands) - [Resources](https://fullcourse.com/resources) - [About](https://fullcourse.com/about-us) - [Our Team](https://fullcourse.com/about-us#team) - [Our Values](https://fullcourse.com/about-us#values) - [Press](https://fullcourse.com/press-room) - [Contact](https://fullcourse.com/contact-us) - [Assessment](https://fullcourse.com/consultinghttps://fullcourse.com/training#assessment) # About Us ## Powered by our purpose, we believe people are the heart of our industry. 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. ## Meet Our Amazing Team #### *We have 200+ years of collective experience in the foodservice industry.* [![Full-Course-Headshot-Lauren-Fernandez](https://fullcourse.com/hs-fs/hubfs/6320b455e2243c1296e4dc67_Full-Course-Headshots-Lauren-p-800.jpg?width=800&height=534&name=6320b455e2243c1296e4dc67_Full-Course-Headshots-Lauren-p-800.jpg)](https://fullcourse.com/lauren-fernandez?hsLang=en) Founder, CEO Lauren Fernandez Former General Counsel of FOCUS Brands turned restaurant operator, Lauren brings nearly 20 years experience in brand licensing; franchising; and consumer product development. [![3-3](https://fullcourse.com/hs-fs/hubfs/3-3.png?width=1305&height=939&name=3-3.png)](https://fullcourse.com/james-kahler?hsLang=en) Chief Operating Officer James Kahler Successful multi-unit operator dedicated to coaching and mentoring business owners and their teams to maximize top line sales growth and bottom line profitability. [![HEADSHOTS FOR WEBSITE](https://fullcourse.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HEADSHOTS%20FOR%20WEBSITE.jpg?width=1305&height=939&name=HEADSHOTS%20FOR%20WEBSITE.jpg)](https://fullcourse.com/erin-wenttang?hsLang=en) VP, Portfolio Talent Strategy Erin Wenttang Erin’s experience includes learning strategy, leadership development, instructional design, and facilitation for brands such as Ted Montana Grill and the Focus Brands portfolio. [![5-2](https://fullcourse.com/hs-fs/hubfs/5-2.jpg?width=2000&name=5-2.jpg)](https://fullcourse.com/paul-craythorne?hsLang=en) VP, Portfolio Operations Paul Craythorne Paul specializes in operations and training in dynamic and challenging environments. He has worked on brands including Ted’s Montana Grill and the Focus Brands portfolio. [![2-3](https://fullcourse.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2-3.jpg?width=2000&name=2-3.jpg)](https://fullcourse.com/lauren-barash?hsLang=en) Senior Advisor, Brand Lauren Barash 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. ![SCG](https://fullcourse.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SCG.png?width=2000&name=SCG.png) Senior Advisor, Fund Management Sarah Gill Campbell Sarah has over 30 years of finance experience, including 22 years at Stephens Investment Bank as the lead on their Restaurant division. ## Our Board of Directors #### *These industry trailblazers help guide us on our path* ![Untitled design-1](https://fullcourse.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design-1.jpg?width=1000&height=666&name=Untitled%20design-1.jpg) Chair Edna Morris Edna Morris has served as President of Red Lobster, Blue Coral, Wild Wing Cafe, The James Beard Foundation and CEO/Partner of Range Restaurant Group. ![647e04b13590d3d69db17c2e_Jeff Heck](https://fullcourse.com/hs-fs/hubfs/647e04b13590d3d69db17c2e_Jeff%20Heck.jpg?width=500&height=333&name=647e04b13590d3d69db17c2e_Jeff%20Heck.jpg) Co-Founder + CEO Jeff Heck Jeff Heck co-founded Monday Night Brewing more than 10 years ago and currently serves as the company’s CEO. ![647e08971c9866f85679f7d3_John C. Metz - Justin Chan Photography](https://fullcourse.com/hs-fs/hubfs/647e08971c9866f85679f7d3_John%20C.%20Metz%20-%20Justin%20Chan%20Photography.jpg?width=500&height=333&name=647e08971c9866f85679f7d3_John%20C.%20Metz%20-%20Justin%20Chan%20Photography.jpg) Co-founder + CEO John C. Metz, Jr. 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. ![652979d1f93a28fdd361a5c3_Meredith Sandland](https://fullcourse.com/hs-fs/hubfs/652979d1f93a28fdd361a5c3_Meredith%20Sandland.png?width=500&height=333&name=652979d1f93a28fdd361a5c3_Meredith%20Sandland.png) CEO Meredith Sandland Meredith Sandland is the CEO of Empower Delivery. Previously she was CDO at Taco Bell and COO at Kitchen United. ![652979c720f2a123248c144a_Stephanie Stuckey](https://fullcourse.com/hs-fs/hubfs/652979c720f2a123248c144a_Stephanie%20Stuckey.png?width=500&height=333&name=652979c720f2a123248c144a_Stephanie%20Stuckey.png) Chair Stephanie Stuckey As Chair of Stuckey's, Stephanie Stuckey has led a major comeback driving sales from $2MM to $14MM. Prior to leading Stuckey's she was a trial lawyer, state representative and Director of Sustainability for Atlanta. ![647e078d6841651dedf5c49b_Roger](https://fullcourse.com/hs-fs/hubfs/647e078d6841651dedf5c49b_Roger.jpg?width=500&height=333&name=647e078d6841651dedf5c49b_Roger.jpg) President + CEO Roger David Roger David serves as the CEO of Gold Star Chili and Tom & Chee with a keen focus on training, development and branding. ![652979b97df726eb56ce53e6_Jennifer Ryan](https://fullcourse.com/hubfs/652979b97df726eb56ce53e6_Jennifer%20Ryan.png) CEO + FOUNDER Jennifer Ryan As CEO and Founder of BLUEROOT and co-founder and CEO of Croux, Jennifer Ryan is on a mission to fuel local economies beginning with food.   ## Our Values #### The "How" Behind Our "Why" ![Full-Course---THRIVE-Graphic-FINAL-112023](https://fullcourse.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Full-Course---THRIVE-Graphic-FINAL-112023.jpg?width=2000&height=1413&name=Full-Course---THRIVE-Graphic-FINAL-112023.jpg "Full-Course---THRIVE-Graphic-FINAL-112023") ![fc-color-bar](https://fullcourse.com/hs-fs/hubfs/fc-color-bar.jpg?width=2000&height=18&name=fc-color-bar.jpg "fc-color-bar") ## Chart your course for success. We’re cultivating the future of the restaurant industry where all faces and flavors have a seat at the table. Join our email list to stay in touch. In Service of DreamsTM [info@fullcourse.com](mailto:info@fullcourse.com) [678.389.4336](tel:6783894336)   [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/fullcourseofficial) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/fullcourse) [Follow us on Twitter](https://www.instagram.com/fullcourseofficial/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.youtube.com/@officialfullcourse) - [How We Work](https://fullcourse.com/consulting) - [Franchising](https://fullcourse.com/franchising) - [Investment](https://fullcourse.com/investment-for-brands) - [Resources](https://fullcourse.com/resources) - [About](https://fullcourse.com/about-us) - [Press](https://fullcourse.com/press-room) - [Contact](https://fullcourse.com/contact-us) - [Blog](https://blog.fullcourse.com/press-room) ©2026 Full Course