The Client. Founding Farmers is a full-service, high-volume, upscale-casual restaurant brand owned by the North Dakota Farmers Union (NDFU), a collective of American family farmers. Part of Farmers Restaurant Group, this innovative, DC metropolitan area-based restaurant brand is a sustainably-minded concept that at their core honors farmers and their hard-earned bounty. Through sustainable practices such as serving real food and drink they primarily cook, mix, and bake from scratch; partnering with suppliers, vendors, and purveyors that align with their principles; and even crafting a line of proprietary beverages, Founding Farmers is committed to growing their leading farmer-owned brand.

The Case Study. We were lucky enough to get involved with the Founding Farmers/NDFU team from their very first restaurant opening in Washington, D.C. in 2008. Hired to plan and execute all aspects of this project, we helped develop the brand concept, interior design, eclectic artwork focus, menu and culinary aspects, operational systems, including staffing and training, as well as strategic marketing and social media plans, all with an eye towards providing the tools to flow seamlessly across all future restaurants.

The Result. We let the Founding Farmers sustainable brand philosophy guide us in effectively developing this brand, and subsequently helping to lay the groundwork for their success, growth, and brand recognition with the creation of popular sibling concepts, Farmers Fishers Bakers and Farmers & Distillers.

“Our restaurant group operates without a formalized corporate structure, so the skilled, varied experience of candidates that VSAG brought to us were the perfect fit. From front of house to back office and front desk to reservations, accounting, and operations, they’ve allowed our Founding Farmers restaurant crew members and management staff alike to surpass expectations and grow at every level.” – Dawn Vileno, Managing Partner | Vice President, Farmers Restaurant Group, Washington, D.C.