Governor Moore Announces New Maryland Headquarters for Founding Farmers
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore today announced that Founding Farmers – a farmer-owned restaurant, full-service catering, and distilling business – has expanded operations in Prince George’s County. In 2024, Founding Farmers purchased 8100 Cryden Way in District Heights to grow its commercial kitchen; since then, the company has moved its D.C. headquarters into the 17,000 square-foot facility, here in Maryland.
The Prince George’s County space is now fully operational, producing scratch-made food and drink – including house-roasted coffee, handcrafted chocolates, fresh-baked pastries, and more – for Founding Farmers restaurants and its catering and events company. By the end of 2027, Founding Farmers expects to have created more than 90 new full-time jobs, making it a welcome addition to the Prince George’s County community.
“Here in Maryland, we’re welcoming businesses and building a competitive, dynamic economy that brings prosperity to our communities,” said Gov. Moore. “We are excited to welcome the Founding Farmers headquarters to our state, as they continue to expand on Maryland’s world-class cuisine, champion our local farmers and bring high-quality food industry jobs to our people.”
Founding Farmers employs more than 1,400 employees throughout the Mid-Atlantic, including its catering company and eight restaurant locations. As a farmer-owned establishment, the business has thrived on making its products from scratch, utilizing ingredients from trusted farmers, while continuing to send a greater portion of the food dollar back to its farmer-owners. The facility centralizes pieces of their production and administration in one space, including catering operations, some of its food and drink, holiday offerings, culinary classes, contact center, and more. Looking ahead, the space will support the future launch of a direct-to-consumer online shop, bringing Founding Farmers scratch-made products directly to customers nationwide.
“We’re all-in for Maryland, and we’re thrilled to have our District Heights headquarters,” said Co-founder of Founding Farmers and long-time Maryland resident Dan Simons. “The employee base is strong, the long-term investment thesis in the area is compelling, and the proximity to the Beltway is an essential ingredient for our expansion recipe that helps us better serve our restaurants, diners, and customers.”
The concept of Founding Farmers was originally conceived in 2005 and is majority owned by American family farmers, including the 70,000 members of the North Dakota Farmers Union. The group established its first restaurant in 2008 in Washington, D.C., expanding to eight restaurant locations across the Mid-Atlantic, and opening its Founding Spirits distillery in 2016 in Washington, D.C. Each location upholds the Founding Farmers mission: delicious, sustainable food and drink made from scratch with high-quality ingredients sourced from family-owned farms, ranches, and producers across the nation. In 2023, the group launched Founding Farmers Co. Catering & Events, now competing directly with the top ten caterers in the trade area.
The Moore-Miller administration is committed to supporting all businesses that call Maryland home. To assist with project costs, the company is eligible for a $375,000 conditional loan through Advantage Maryland, administered by the Maryland Department of Commerce, and a matching $375,000 conditional loan through Prince George’s County’s Economic Development Incentive Fund.
“We are thrilled to partner with Founding Farmers as it continues to grow in Maryland. This farmer-owned enterprise is set to enrich Prince George’s County by bringing new jobs and a strong commitment to the agriculture industry to the region,” said Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Harry Coker, Jr. “We look forward to celebrating this exciting achievement with the company."
“The arrival of Founding Farmers represents a powerful investment in both our local workforce and importance for the future of sustainable agriculture. Their growth strengthens our commitment to supporting Prince George’s County producers, expanding our workforce, and building a resilient, community-centered economy,” said Prince George’s County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy. “We are proud to welcome Founding Farmers as they continue to innovate, lead, and contribute to the vibrant fabric of Prince George’s County.”
“Prince George's County is proud to support Founding Farmers’ relocation to District Heights and the company’s impact on the local economy,” said President and CEO of Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation Ingrid Watson. “This project is a significant contribution – the company is investing in the area’s development while also supporting manufacturing industry sectors that align with the county’s strategic economic plan.”
Source: New HQ for Founding Farmers | Maryland Department of Commerce