April 06, 2009 // Franchising.com // Bradenton, Fla. – First Watch, the nation's fastest-growing daytime-only restaurant company, expanded its presence in Northern Ohio today with the opening of its fourth area restaurant, conveniently located at the Summit Mall Shopping Center on West Market Street in Fairlawn. The opening marks the company's 20th restaurant in the state of Ohio.
To commemorate the Grand Opening, First Watch, together with the Fairlawn Chamber of Commerce, will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8.
"We are pleased to be able to expand our presence in the Northern Ohio market and bring our unique Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch offering to the residents of Fairlawn," said Chris Tomasso, Chief Marketing Officer of First Watch Restaurants, Inc. "The Summit Mall Shopping Center provides an ideal mix of retail and entertainment options for First Watch guests, and our restaurants are perfectly suited for great neighborhoods like Fairlawn."
First Watch opened its first restaurant in Ohio, in 1991, at Kenwood Galleria in Cincinnati. Today, the company currently operates three restaurants in the northern Ohio/Cleveland market including:
Founded in 1983 on the simple concept of putting customers first, First Watch Restaurants, Inc. is now one of the largest, privately owned, daytime-only restaurant companies in the United States.
Headquartered in Bradenton, Fla., First Watch has set the standard for quality daytime dining since its inception 25 years ago. The company recently announced expansion plans that include selling multi-unit franchises in 35 states. First Watch offers something for everyone from traditional breakfast, brunch and lunch favorites to its signature freshly prepared-to-order specialty items such as Crepeggs™ and the popular Chickichanga®.
First Watch is the frequent recipient of "Best Of" accolades in cities where it operates. Most recently, First Watch President and CEO Kenneth Pendery received the coveted Golden Chain Award at the 49th Annual Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators Conference (MUFSO). The Golden Chain Award is one of the most prestigious in foodservice and celebrates both recent accomplishments and career achievements.
The company currently operates 78 restaurants in 11 states. Each new restaurant creates between 25 and 30 jobs, and First Watch currently employs approximately 2,000 people.
First Watch specializes in award-winning, made-to-order Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch.