The restaurant brokers are talking to the Women's Franchise Network. Led by the International Franchise Association, the Women's Franchise Network (WFN) is a network of local chapters designed to develop relationships with women franchising professionals by addressing issues, sharing ideas and offering solutions related to franchising. The WFN Atlanta Chapter welcomes women franchisers, franchisees, franchise suppliers and those considering franchising.

The guests for this week share their stories of success, mentorship and growth in their own path along the way to franchising including Debbie Shwetz of Nothing Bundt Cakes, the International Franchise Association Board Member for Women in Franchising. She says that her path to franchising included a lot of learning and in the beginning there was “a lot of things we didn’t know and understand.” She goes on to tell listeners that while “ability is innate, skills can be shared and developed.” Clarissa Bradstock, CEO of Any Lab Test Now says that women are “more collaborative and bring a lot of empathy” in the franchise space. She also serves on the national board as well as leading the Atlanta Chapter of the Women’s Franchise Network. Lauren Fernandez of The Fernandez Company says she counsels those considering franchising to ask themselves, “What is your end game?”

Tune into the entire restaurant radio show live on Atlanta radio station WGKA 920 The Answer on Saturday at noon or the rebroadcast Sunday at 1 PM on Biz 1190.

This Week’s Guests:

Lauren Fernandez

Lauren is the founder of The Fernandez Company, the culmination of over a decade of practice as a trusted brand consultant and legal advisor with all kinds of clients, from start-ups to multinational companies.

She consults with companies in all aspects of restaurant and franchise development, brand licensing, product development, and market implementation. Lauren focuses her practice on regulated industries, particularly in the food and drug space.
Before forming The Fernandez Company, Lauren served as the General Counsel for FOCUS Brands where she was instrumental in the rapid growth of the licensing program. Prior to joining FOCUS Brands, she 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.

Clarissa Bradstock

As the CEO of Any Lab Test Now, Clarissa Bradstock is proud to lead the franchisees in their goal of providing an exceptional experience for our customers interested in clinical, toxicology and DNA testing. In addition, Clarissa is the Vice Chair for the Southeastern Franchise Forum, and on the IFA Women’s Franchise Network committee, and the Chair for the Atlanta Chapter of the Women’s Franchise Network.

Debbie Shwetz

A graduate from The University of Washington with a degree in Psychology.  I spent the 10 years before Nothing Bundt Cakes working in Multi-level marketing, Insurance and Medical Transcribing.  In 1997 my friend and business partner Dena Tripp and I conceptualized and launched Nothing Bundt Cakes.  We decided to franchise in 2006 and my role was the development of the franchise system structure, sales and development and franchisee relations. Today we have 130 open locations with another 50 to follow shortly.

About We Sell Restaurants

We Sell Restaurants is the nation’s largest restaurant brokerage firm specializing in restaurants wanted (restaurants for sale), leasing a restaurant and franchise restaurant resell transactions. The We Sell Restaurants brand is known nationwide for professionalism, industry knowledge and unmatched service. They can be found online at www.wesellrestaurants.com. The firm is franchising their brand nationwide and has offices in Florida, Georgia, Colorado, Tennessee and South Carolina.