Casual Dining / Sit-Down Restaurants
Franchise ID: 81RkUoYkv49g3yrlCUVjq9

First Watch

The Daytime Café

Franchise Overview

Overview

First Watch is a leader in the breakfast, brunch, and lunch restaurant category. Known for its focus on fresh ingredients and made-to-order menu items, First Watch offers a unique sit-down dining experience that caters exclusively to the daytime crowd. With an innovative approach to casual dining, the brand combines healthy menu options with traditional favorites, earning a loyal customer base over the years.

Key Features

  • Fresh, innovative daytime menu
  • Chef-driven culinary teams and seasonal specialties
  • No fryers or heat lamps, with a clean, welcoming design
  • Daytime-only hours (typically 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM)

User Experience

Customers at First Watch enjoy a vibrant and comfortable atmosphere, with staff focused on exceptional service. By specializing in breakfast, brunch, and lunch, the restaurant mitigates the stress of evening hours for both franchisees and staff, cultivating a productive and positive environment. The brand's commitment to transparency in nutrition and ingredient sourcing appeals to health-conscious diners seeking quality and flexibility.

Market Opportunity

The daytime dining segment continues to grow, as more consumers seek out experiences centered on wellness, convenience, and social interaction during daylight hours. First Watch is ideally positioned to benefit from these trends due to its well-defined niche and operational model. As a franchisee, you join an established brand with decades of proven success and continued room for expansion in both existing and new markets.

Franchise Requirements

Initial Franchise Fee$40,000
Total Investment$681,000 - $1,126,000
Royalty Fee4%
Marketing Fee2%
Contract Term10 years, renewable
Net Worth Requirement$1,000,000 minimum
Liquid Capital Required$350,000 minimum
ExperienceMulti-unit restaurant experience required
Financial Highlights
Average Unit Volume
$1,600,000
Average Profit Margin
15-20% EBITDA
Typical Break Even
18-24 months
ROI (after 3 years)
18-22% (after 3 years)
Quick Facts

Established

1983

Total Units

470+ locations

Headquarters

Bradenton, Florida, USA

Staffing

25-35 employees per restaurant

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