Amid an economy that has cut into consumers’ ability to dine out, First Watch Restaurants Inc. is growing — aggressively.
In the past two years alone, the Lakewood Ranch-based breakfast-to-brunch chain has pushed into new markets in Indiana, Tennessee, Ohio and Oklahoma, and it is making further strides into Florida.
First Watch — which bills itself as “the largest and fastest-growing daytime-only restaurant chain in the United States” — intends to open 10 new restaurants next year, including one locally at the corner of Bee Ridge and Cattlemen roads.
In all, the chain currently operates operates 92 restaurants in 13 states, from Florida to Arizona to Wisconsin.