First Watch to open new Tampa Bay location

BRADENTON — As part of its aggressive growth strategy, First Watch announced plans to open a new restaurant in the Tampa Bay area this summer. The breakfast-lunch chain says it will build a restaurant at 11305 Causeway Blvd., in Brandon. The new location will employ about 25 people, First Watch says in a release.

The Brandon restaurant will be one of two freestanding outparcel locations in Florida for the chain. According to a release, the new 3,400-square-foot eatery will be located in the Lake Brandon Village shopping center in a building previously occupied by Blinds To Go. The shopping center also includes Lowe's, Sports Authority and buybuy Baby.

“Over the years, we have received more requests to open a restaurant in Brandon than any other area,” Chris Tomasso, First Watch chief marketing officer, says in a release. “We have a long history in the Tampa Bay area and have been fortunate to have built a tremendously loyal following that we are confident will carry over to this new restaurant in Brandon.”

In addition to the Brandon location, the company plans to open its first restaurant in St. Petersburg and Winter Park during the first half of 2013.

Celebrating its 30th year, Bradenton-based First Watch has 37 restaurants in Florida and more than 100 in 15 states across the U.S.