Lauren Fernandez’s Post

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I invest in people and grow their food and restaurant brands. CEO + Founder | Investor + Managing Principal | Board Chair + Board Director

If you want to promote diversity and bring underrepresented operators into your franchise system, I applaud you. Three things I see in successful programs: 1. reducing barriers to entry: waiving part of the franchise fee, training fees, etc. to reduce the high cost of entry. 2. education and mentorship: investing in building up the person as a future leader in your system, and in our industry, with basic business education, 1/1 mentorship, and leadership training. 3. access to capital: working with lenders to set up programs that benefit your underrepresented franchisees, and connecting them with state and federal grant programs. 💡 Here's an idea: look within your employee pool. We have great success in training managers to become franchisees! If your company needs support or technical assistance with developing one of these programs, please feel free to give us a call. We establish franchisee training programs with business and leadership training and work with franchisors large, medium, and small. Enjoyed this post? Please consider following me and hit the 🔔 button to follow my honest journey of entrepreneurship, investment, and radical change in the restaurant industry. Need some help? DM me -OR- you can speak to our team anytime at fullcourse.com. #franchising #minorityowned #entrepreneurship #consciouscapitalism #workingparents #veteranowned #womanowned

Wetzel’s Pretzels’ first Access to Equity program graduate finds success with her own store

Wetzel’s Pretzels’ first Access to Equity program graduate finds success with her own store

nrn.com

(TJ) Thomas Schier, Jr

Chief Operating Officer | Chief Executive Officer | Keynote Speaker | Brand Growth | Franchise Development | Culture Building | Strategic Operations | Entertainment | Hospitality | Financial Performance | Author

9mo

great to see companies helping grow their own..ers!

THIS: If your company needs support or technical assistance with developing one of these programs, please feel free to give us a call. We establish franchisee training programs with business and leadership training and work with franchisors large, medium, and small.

Lissa Bowen

Culture Champion | Head Optimist | Pioneer

9mo

A big part of success is leveling the playing field by providing the training and resources needed to become successful business owners. Thanks for sharing and kudos to Wetzel's Pretzels, LLC for their Access to Equity program.

Angel Vazquez

Operations | Finance | FP&A | Revenue Management | Hospitality Strategic Visionary

9mo

It's so great to see these programs in place.

Paul Moxness

Dynamic Hospitality and Security Leader | I help hotels become safer places to stay, better places to work, and more profitable businesses | Carlson Fellow Award Winner and IFSEC #1 Global Influencer.

9mo

Love the idea of looking within the employee pool. Just the brand and operations knowledge alone should warrant a lower entry barrier.

Troy Hooper

CEO who values the perspective of all who are willing to unite to exceed expectations. Driven to bring value every day.

9mo

Inspiring and great info Lauren!! We all must make the opportunity more accessible!

Russell Pontone

Founder/CEO Koze Shake & KozePOS

9mo

Love it

Julie Swift

Foodservice Maven | Growth Architect | DEI Accelerator | FWA Chairwoman

9mo

Front row of the cheering section over here!

Stephanie Stuckey

Chair, Stuckey's Corporation, Author, Public Speaker

9mo

Great advice!

Congratulations on promoting diversity and reducing barriers to entry in your franchise system! Your commitment to education, mentorship, and access to capital for underrepresented franchisees is inspiring. 💪

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