Restaurant chain targets 110 new locations

BRADENTON — Breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant chain First Watch announced it plans to open a minimum of 110 franchise restaurants with new and existing franchise partners by 2022.

The Bradenton-based company finalized development agreements with franchise operators including RAS LLC, TFW Licensing, Quail Ridge Enterprises and National and Battlefield Investments LLC.

RAS LLC plans to develop seven First Watch restaurants in Charleston, S.C., Augusta, Ga., and Savannah, Ga. TFW Licensing LLC will open at least six First Watch restaurants in and around Greensboro and Winston-Salem, N.C. Quail Ridge Enterprises plans 10 openings in northern Louisiana and Mississippi. National and Battlefield Investments LLC will open at least five restaurants in southwest Mississippi and northwest Arkansas. A Miami-based franchise group also plans at least 10 First Watch restaurants in and around Miami.

“At First Watch, our main priority has been quality, measured growth while maintaining a focus on our values, our unique menu philosophies and strengthening our culture,” says First Watch President Chris Tomasso in a statement.

The new First Watch franchise locations are in addition to 150 planned company-owned First Watch restaurant openings. The company has more than 300 restaurants in 26 states, including more than 200 First Watch restaurants, 95 The Egg & I restaurants, one The Good Egg restaurant and one Bread & Company restaurant.