Breakfast, lunch chain to debut in Chicago area

MANATEE COUNTY — First Watch will bring its breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant concept to Chicago, beginning with a restaurant opening planned for late 2020 in Oak Brook, Il. 

Manatee County-based First Watch’s first Chicago-area restaurant opening will be at 2155 22nd St. in Oak Brook. The new 4,200-square-foot restaurant will have an urban farm interior design and a bar with communal dining options, according to a statement. 

First Watch is also considering additional restaurant openings in Schaumburg, Glenview and Kildeer.

“We could not be more excited to bring our fresh approach to breakfast, brunch and lunch to Chicago and its surrounding neighborhoods,” says Chris Tomasso, CEO of First Watch, in a statement. “This area is the melting pot of the Midwest, and it offers a diversity and culture that we believe are a perfect fit for First Watch.”

Surrounding Chicago, First Watch currently operates in Greater Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Columbus, Detroit and St. Louis.

The restaurant concept was founded in 1983 in Pacific Grove, Calif. There are more than 365 First Watch restaurants in 29 states. It is majority owned by private equity firm Advent International. It had $354 million in revenue in 2018.