Lauren Fernandez is the principal of The Fernandez Company, the culmination of nearly two decades as a trusted brand consultant and legal advisor with all kinds of clients, from start-ups to multinational companies, to private equity and investment firms.

She consults with companies in all aspects of restaurant and franchise development, brand licensing, product development, and market implementation. Lauren is an expert in multi-national product development and commercialization in the heavily regulated food, alcohol, pharmaceutical and medical industries.

As a co-founder and investor in Origin Development Group, Ms. Fernandez has been both a multi-unit franchisee and brand developer, serving as a strategic growth partner for companies such as Chicken Salad Chick®. Lauren also served as the General Counsel for FOCUS Brands where she lead both the legal team and franchise administration, and was instrumental in the rapid growth of the licensing program.

Prior to joining FOCUS Brands, Lauren was part of an elite team at Novartis/CIBA VISION that successfully launched the company’s first new product in over a decade. She started her career in one of Atlanta's most respected Intellectual Property Boutiques, Gardner Groff. 

Lauren holds an undergraduate degree from Stetson University, as well as a Juris Doctorate and MBA from Emory University.  

Areas of Expertise

CORE FOCUS AREAS:
+ Product development and commercialization strategy
+ Legal structuring for growth-stage brands and franchise systems
+ Strategic investments, due diligence, and fund management
+ Capital raising, deal structuring, and governance
+ Go-to-market strategy and cross-functional execution

SPECIALIZATIONS:
- international product development, product commercialization, product launch (CPG, medical devices, etc.)
- IP portfolio management, international IP licensing, IP enforcement
- regulated industries (FDA, FTC, FCC, SEC)
- corporate compliance, governance, deal structuring
- supply chain, manufacturing, distribution, security
- franchise development, franchise management, franchise agreements, franchise operations
- mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, due diligence
- private equity, venture capital, fund management
- commercial contract negotiation
- brand strategy, brand growth, brand management
- go-to-market strategies