First Watch

First Watch views its limitations as its greatest asset

By Joe Guszkowski on Oct. 01, 2021

The newly public chain continues to innovate within its “daytime dining” framework, adding alcohol and developing a prototype designed to drive more top-line sales.

Financing

First Watch raises $170M in IPO

By Joe Guszkowski on Sep. 30, 2021

The breakfast-and-lunch chain priced shares at $18 with trading set to begin Friday.

Financing

First Watch to raise up to $218M in its IPO

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 22, 2021

The breakfast-and-lunch chain plans to sell shares at $17 to $20 and could get a valuation of more than $1 billion.

Premium

Financing

Upcoming IPOs highlight new industry ideas

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 08, 2021

Dutch Bros’ drive-thru coffee and First Watch’s “daytime dining” have upended their sectors and won over fans as investors looked in other directions, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Breakfast-and-lunch chain First Watch is going public

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 07, 2021

The 423-unit chain has seen a quick recovery from the pandemic and would be the industry’s third offering of 2021.

Premium

Financing

These are all the companies planning or considering IPOs

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 20, 2021

Three restaurant chains have confidentially filed documents for an initial public offering and others are considering it, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Premium

Operations

First Watch adjusts for life after COVID

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