First Watch

Franchise Overview

First Watch operates a daytime café franchise open exclusively from 7:00AM to 2:30PM, serving fresh, ingredient-driven breakfast, brunch, and lunch menus that rotate seasonally — differentiating it from conventional diners and fast-food concepts across its U.S. locations.

Key Highlights

Daytime-only hours create a natural work-life balance for owners and staff
Seasonally rotating menus signal quality and keep the experience fresh for regulars
Warm, community-focused atmosphere drives a loyal base of repeat local diners
Comprehensive support covers site selection, real estate, training, and ongoing field operations

First Watch's daytime-only model simplifies scheduling and supply chain demands while upholding consistent quality standards, making it a well-structured opportunity for operators who value both lifestyle and community impact.

Just the Facts

For most current information, see Franchise Disclosure Documents

In Business Since1983

Number of Units474

Min Liquid Capital—

Required Networth—

$$$Total Investment$1.2M – $2.0M

First Watch Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD)

These official First Watch FDDs contain 23 sections of federally mandated disclosures such as franchisee obligations, franchisor litigation, and financial performance. FDD's are typically 100+ pages long and are critical to evaluate when researching a franchise.

Available Documents

First Watch FDD 2023

March 2023

$99.00

First Watch FDD 2022

March 2022

$99.00

First Watch FDD 2021

April 2021

$99.00

First Watch FDD 2019

April 2019

$99.00

First Watch Restaurants FDD 2017

June 2017

$99.00

First Watch Restaurants FDD 2015

August 2015

$99.00

Note: Purchased FDDs are available for immediate download. The $99 Document Processing Fee covers acquisition, storage, organization, and digital delivery of the FDD document.

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