First Watch adding another Bradenton restaurant as chain expands on its home turf

James A. Jones Jr.
·2 min read

First Watch, a Bradenton-based daytime restaurant chain, has been rapidly spreading its brand across the United States with more than 490 restaurants in 29 states.

Growth has been slower on the chain’s home turf with only three restaurants in the Bradenton area. But that’s changing.

First Watch has now confirmed plans to open restaurants No. 4 and No. 5 in Manatee County.

The newest would go into the former Nancy’s Bar-B-Q space at 14475 State Road 70 E., Lakewood Ranch, also known as Lorraine Corners.

“We anticipate opening our restaurant on S.R. 70 and Lorraine Road in the summer of 2024. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome more of our neighbors around the table with our award-winning breakfast, brunch and lunch experience in the coming year,” a company spokesman confirmed in an email Wednesday.

Prior to First Watch opening there, a full renovation of the space is planned, including new heating and air conditioning, new commercial kitchen equipment, new interior furnishings and more, according to paperwork filed with Manatee County Development Services.

Taking part in the egg-cracking ceremony at the new corporate headquarters of Bradenton-based First Watch restaurants on 7/15/2021, were, from left, Chris Tomasso, Sharon Hillstrom, George Kruse, Jacki Dezelski and Scott Hopes.
Taking part in the egg-cracking ceremony at the new corporate headquarters of Bradenton-based First Watch restaurants on 7/15/2021, were, from left, Chris Tomasso, Sharon Hillstrom, George Kruse, Jacki Dezelski and Scott Hopes.

Previously, First Watch confirmed that it has taken over space formerly occupied by Panera Bread in the Lowe’s shopping center in Bradenton’s urban core.

“We anticipate opening our new Bradenton restaurant at 1520 Cortez Road W. in winter 2023-2024,” a company spokesman said in August. “We’re thrilled to be expanding in our own hometown.”

Ken Pendery founded the company in Pacific Grove, Calif., in 1983, and moved company headquarters to Bradenton in 1986.

First Watch opened its first Manatee County restaurant in 2000 at 8306 Market St. in Lakewood Ranch’s Market Square shopping center. At the time, the chain had only 39 restaurants.

7/15/2021--First Watch restaurant group has grown rapidly across the nation but slower on its home turf in Bradenton. That’s beginning to change.
7/15/2021--First Watch restaurant group has grown rapidly across the nation but slower on its home turf in Bradenton. That’s beginning to change.

In 2005, First Watch opened its second Manatee County restaurant at 7118 Cortez Road in the Shoppes of Paradise Bay shopping center. It was the company’s 56th restaurant.

The third Bradenton area First Watch opened in 2016 at 4324 53rd Ave. E. in the Lockwood Commons shopping center.

First Watch opened its new 39,000-square-foot corporate headquarters in 2021 with an egg-cracking ceremony. Egg crackings are the way that First Watch opens its new restaurants, company CEO and President Chris Tomasso said at the time.

That same year, First Watch had its initial public stock offering, which brought in $195.8 million.

First Watch is majority owned by private-equity firm Advent International.

First Watch serves breakfast, brunch and lunch seven days a week from 7 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.