A controlling interest in the First Watch and The Egg & I daytime restaurant chains has been acquired by the private-equity firm Advent International from another investment concern, Freeman Spogli & Co. Terms were not disclosed.
The acquired concern, First Watch Restaurants, also owns the Nashville concept Bread & Company.
The company’s main brands, 200-store First Watch and 90-unit The Egg & I, both offer only breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurants typically operate from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.
In announcing the deal, Advent said the chains’ current management would remain in place and would hold a “meaningful” equity stake.
Advent’s other investments include The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.
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