First Watch

By Peter Romeo on Jun. 18, 2021

The daytime dining chain is tweaking its operations with the additions of bars and takeout areas while forgoing the dash into farther-afield ventures such as ghost concepts and virtual brands.

Financing

Family dining looks for transformation after 2020’s struggles

By Peter Romeo on May 27, 2021

The sector’s biggest players indulged in considerable reinvention attempts as they felt the loss of breakfast and particular challenges at off-premise.

Workforce

First Watch to pay staff for vaccinations. New research says that's smart

By Peter Romeo on Feb. 10, 2021

Newly released data suggests that even a modest cash incentive can be effective.

Beverage

First Watch adds a drinks menu

By Peter Romeo on Nov. 11, 2020

The breakfast, brunch and lunch concept plans to have the new listing in half its stores by year’s end.

Food

How chain chefs powered menu R&D forward during the pandemic

By Patricia Cobe on Sep. 17, 2020

Corporate test kitchens may have shut down for a while, but menu development didn’t stop. It just proceeded a little differently.

Operations

Breakfast is still the most important meal of the day for First Watch

By Peter Romeo on Aug. 18, 2020

The chain, which doesn't serve dinner, says it's not suffered the a.m. sales freefall that QSRs are lamenting.

Operations

First Watch closes more than 300 corporate stores

By Peter Romeo on Apr. 14, 2020

The breakfast and lunch chain pledged to provide restaurant managers with a bonus when they're rehired so their annual pay for the year will remain the same.

Food