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First Watch Opens Doors
of New
Corporate Headquarters
in Bradenton, Florida
|
Leading daytime dining
restaurant brand plants deeper roots
in the Sunshine State
as it celebrates 35 years in the region
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Bradenton,
FL – July 2021 / Newsmaker Alert /
First
Watch, Manatee and Sarasota Counties’ award-winning hometown brunch
concept, announces that it has opened the doors to its new corporate headquarters
in the University Town Center area. The newly constructed 39,000-square-foot
standalone building is located just off Cooper Creek Boulevard behind the
BJ’s shopping center at 8725 Pendery Place, a new street named for the
company’s beloved Chairman Emeritus and former CEO, Kenneth L. Pendery,
Jr.
“For
decades, First Watch has had the distinct privilege and pleasure of calling
the Suncoast our home. Ever since our founders made the decision to relocate
from Pacific Grove, California, to sunny Sarasota, this vibrant beach community
has not only welcomed us with open arms but embraced us as their go-to
brunch destination,” said Chris
Tomasso, First Watch President and CEO. “It is safe to say that we
would not be the successful high-growth company we are today without having
planted roots here and building our company behind the great people in
this region, and we look forward to continuing to call Bradenton home for
many, many more years to come.”
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Built
by Benderson Development,
the new two-story office will serve as home base for approximately 100
employees who support First Watch’s national operations in critical functional
areas such as accounting, finance, marketing, development and IT. To further
expand on First Watch’s “You First” ethos, which places the individual
needs of its customers and employees at the forefront of all the daytime
café does, the new corporate headquarters features:
-
A state-of-the-art
fitness center featuring a Mirror gym system from lululemon, a Peloton,
free weights and locker rooms with showers
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A high-tech
training room and recreational area to support the First Watch Academy
of Restaurant Management (FARM) which brings managers from across the country
to the area for one week of immersive training
-
A culinary
suite for development of First Watch’s various seasonal menus, as well
as core menu developments and innovations
-
A “Mother’s
Room” for nursing moms and Wellness Room that provides a quiet space with
low lighting and comfortable reclining furniture for mental health breaks
-
Several
Huddle Rooms with comfortable seating to help team members across departments
gather for meetings and breakout work sessions
-
An employee
café with second-story patio that overlooks a scenic lake
-
Expansive
windows that allow for ample natural light
-
One-of-a-kind
murals created by local artist Angela Delaplane
First
Watch has led its operation out of Manatee and Sarasota Counties since
the organization moved to Florida in 1986, when it opened its first Sunshine
State restaurant in South Sarasota on South Tamiami Trail, which still
serves the local community seven days a week. The company then opened its
second local restaurant later that year in downtown Sarasota, which was
also home to the original corporate office – a 250-square-foot back room
with two desks that has since been transformed into a space for private
meetings and food photoshoots. Today, First Watch operates 9 restaurants
in Sarasota and Manatee Counties and has grown its national footprint to
more than 420 restaurants across 29 states.
First
Watch is open for breakfast, brunch and lunch seven days a week from 7
a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
About
First Watch
First
Watch is a high-growth daytime restaurant concept serving made-to-order
breakfast, brunch and lunch using fresh ingredients. A recipient of more
than 300 local “Best Breakfast” and “Best Brunch” accolades, First Watch
offers traditional favorites, such as pancakes, omelets, sandwiches and
salads, alongside specialty items like Quinoa Power Bowls, Avocado Toast
and the Chickichanga. First Watch was recognized as FSR Magazine’s Best
Menu in 2021 and Nation’s Restaurant News’ top Consumer Pick in the breakfast
category as well as the coffee category for its Project Sunrise coffee
program in 2019. There are more than 420 First Watch restaurants in 29
states, and the restaurant concept is majority owned by Advent International,
one of the world’s largest private-equity firms. For more information,
like First Watch on Facebook,
connect with us on Instagram,
and visit
www.FirstWatch.com.
Media
Contact:
Eleni
Pierce
941-907-9800
ext. 218
Public
Relations & Communications Manager
First
Watch Restaurants, Inc. |