First Watch Acquires 21 Franchise Restaurants in North Carolina

Purchase of Largest Franchisee Underscores Long-term Growth Strategy

BRADENTON, Fla., April 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Watch Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FWRG) (together with its subsidiaries “First Watch” or the “Company”), the leading Daytime Dining concept serving breakfast, brunch and lunch, today announced the completion of its previously-announced acquisition of 21 of its franchise-owned restaurants and corresponding development rights in North Carolina for an aggregate purchase price of $75 million on a cash-free, debt-free basis.

“This acquisition, which represents our largest First Watch franchise acquisition to date, is an important part of our long-term growth and value creation strategy,” said Chris Tomasso, First Watch CEO & President. “These 21 restaurants are expected to generate average unit volumes and restaurant level operating profit margins in line with our Company-owned restaurants, and the associated development rights represent white space in this key market area for us to grow organically for years to come. Further, this acquisition fortifies our organization and strengthens our ranks as we welcome more than 600 new employees into our corporate-owned system and You First culture–a responsibility that’s very important to us.”

First Watch has acquired 44 total franchised restaurants in 17 DMAs across six acquisitions since May 2023.

About First Watch

First Watch is an award-winning Daytime Dining concept serving made-to-order breakfast, brunch and lunch using fresh ingredients across its network of neighborhood restaurants. A recipient of hundreds of local “Best Breakfast” and “Best Brunch” accolades, First Watch's chef-driven menu includes elevated executions of classic favorites along with specialties such as the Quinoa Power Bowl, Farm Stand Breakfast Tacos, Avocado Toast, Chickichanga, Morning Meditation, Spiked Lavender Lemonade and its signature Million Dollar Bacon. In 2023, First Watch was recognized as the top restaurant brand in Yelp’s inaugural list of the top 50 most-loved brands in the U.S. In 2023 and 2022, First Watch was named a Top 100 Most Loved Workplace in Newsweek by the Best Practice Institute. In 2022, First Watch was awarded a sought-after MenuMasters honor by Nation's Restaurant News for its seasonal Braised Short Rib Omelet and recognized with ADP's coveted Culture at Work Award. First Watch operates more than 520 restaurants in 29 states and employs more than 15,000 team members nationwide. For more information, visit www.firstwatch.com.