Laura Roberts is the Founder and CEO of Lali Ventures, LLC, a franchise advisory firm that supports emerging brands in building sustainable and scalable franchise systems. Laura brings a distinctive perspective that blends strategic insight with entrepreneurial execution, making her a valued advisor on franchise growth, leadership, and innovation.

Formerly serving, for over a decade, as Board member, Chief Legal Officer, Secretary and Compliance Officer for Bojangles’ Restaurants, Inc., a restaurant brand expanding nationally, Laura has deep expertise in franchise growth, governance, and strategy.  During her tenure at Bojangles, she guided the company through significant growth and organizational transformation, including go public and go private transactions, M&A activity, and whole business securitizations.  She was recognized as a finalist for the Outstanding General Counsel Award (Small Legal Department) by the Charlotte Business Journal and received the Bojangles Founder’s Leadership Award in recognition of her leadership and impact across the organization.

Laura also held roles with Am Law 100 global law firms in New York and Houston, structuring deals and leading clients through complex real estate and corporate transactions.

Having transitioned from corporate executive to entrepreneur, Laura now leverages her deep expertise in franchise growth, board governance, compliance, and brand strategy to advise on navigating the franchising journey and growing with confidence and clarity.

Laura currently serves on the Board of Directors for the International Franchise Association and the Board of Directors for the Girl Scouts – Hornets’ Nest Council, a non-profit organization focused on leadership development for girls. She is also a committed mentor to emerging women leaders, having served as a mentor for the CREW-Charlotte organization.

She holds a Juris Doctor degree from Columbia University School of Law, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Idaho State University, and a CFE with the International Franchise Association.