Dan Simons, Co-Founder of Farmers Restaurant Group, Named Chief Influencer

The Communications Board names Dan Simons, Co-Founder of Farmers Restaurant Group, a Chief Influencer.

What does it take to build a business that is both mission-driven and operationally excellent? In this special live episode of Chief Influencer, recorded at The George Washington University, Dan Simons shares how he built Farmers Restaurant Group into a hospitality brand rooted in transparency, purpose, and performance.

Known for connecting American family farmers to the urban table, Simons reflects on why authentic leadership requires more than polished success stories. It requires the willingness to openly discuss struggle, failure, growth, and the realities of running a values-based business.

Throughout the conversation, Simons explores how influence is earned internally before it is ever felt externally. He discusses the importance of operational discipline, real-time coaching, and building cultures grounded in trust and accountability. Rather than viewing criticism as a threat, he sees feedback as valuable data that can strengthen systems and improve performance. For Simons, leadership today is deeply human. Audiences and employees connect with people, not logos, and organizations that embrace authenticity, align mission with execution, and consistently invest in their people are the ones most likely to create lasting impact.

Host: Anthony Shop
Guest: Dan Simons
Producer: The Communications Board
Sponsor: The George Washington University College of Professional Studies

Subscribe: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube

Transcript