Our Team
The people behind your franchise growth
Hudson Franchise Ventures is led by franchise professionals who have built, scaled, and operated franchise systems across industries and continents.
Steven Gardner
Founder, Managing Partner
Steven Gardner is the Founder of Hudson Franchise Ventures and a nationally recognized franchise development executive with more than 30 years of experience in franchising, restaurant development, strategic growth, and multi-unit expansion. A third-generation New Yorker, he has built his career helping emerging and established brands scale through franchise sales, real estate strategy, operational guidance, and investor relationships across the United States and internationally. His experience spans franchise development, site selection, deal structuring, lead generation, franchise marketing, and international expansion across restaurant, health, wellness, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle sectors.
Brady Sheldon
Strategic Partner
Bio coming soon.
Lauren Farnoosh
International Development Associate
Lauren Farnoosh brings over a decade of experience at the intersection of brand strategy, operations, and market expansion across New York City, San Francisco, and Dubai. She specializes in connecting U.S. brands with GCC markets and guiding retailers through international franchise opportunities. Her approach combines on-the-ground market knowledge, cross-cultural insight, and a focus on building sustainable, long-term expansion partnerships.
Justin Levi
International Development Advisor
Bio coming soon.
Alexis Nakis
Franchise Development Associate
Bio coming soon.
Full team bios and headshots are being added. Check back soon or reach out directly to learn more about the team behind Hudson Franchise Ventures.
Let's Scale Your Franchise
Talk with a team that has built and expanded franchise brands across markets.