Jay Friedlander is the chief operating O’Naturalist for O’Naturals, Inc., a natural and organic fast-food restaurant revolutionizing the industry by quickly serving delicious, fresh food, in a comfortable atmosphere.

Since opening its prototype in May of 2001, O’Naturals has received numerous awards for sustainable business and has been recognized for its innovative business approach by: The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, and Vogue, as well as in media in Europe and Japan.

Jay is involved with all elements of the start-up, including fundraising, concept development, menu creation, day-to-day operations, store expansion and franchising. Under his leadership, O’Naturals has created a franchising relationship with the $19.5 billion Compass Group to bring the concept to sites across the country.

Jay is an adjunct professor of new venture creation at Babson College, teaching graduate courses on socially responsible entrepreneurship. He has also developed a unique model, demonstrating how to leverage socially responsible business practices into competitive advantage. 

Prior to joining O’Naturals, Jay worked as a strategy consultant with the Forum Corporation, developing and implementing global customer-centered growth strategies for Fortune 100 clients.

Jay has a wide range of work and life experiences.  He has served in the Peace Corps in Mauritania; written an ecotourism business plan in Costa Rica; broke fundraising records for Rails-to-Trails Conservancy; counseled Native American students; taught environmental education; and been a ski bum.

Recent honors include being a ceremonial speaker for the Yale and Goldman Sachs Foundation on Non-profit Ventures; teaching as adjunct faculty at College of the Atlantic; co-authoring a presentation at an International Human Ecology Conference; and serving as a board member for the Maine Tourism Association.

In addition to speaking English, Jay is conversant in Spanish, French and Hassiniya Arabic.

Jay received his MBA from the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College, where he specialized in new venture creation and graduated Summa Cum Laude, Valedictorian of his class.  Jay earned his undergraduate degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Colgate University where he graduated with Honors.

Jay is an outdoor enthusiast and has spent time living and traveling throughout North America as well as Africa, South and Central America, and Europe. His son Max has recently joined Jay and his wife Ursula in their adventures.