Company prepares for continued growth in 2013
Award-winning Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch restaurant First Watch today announced the appointment of Kevin Hall as vice president of franchising, a new position for the company.
Hall is a First Watch veteran, having started with the company in 1992 as an assistant manager and working his way up to regional vice president and then vice president of brand standards in 2004. As vice president of franchising, Hall will be responsible for managing franchise expansion plans and assisting current franchise partners with development and operations.
The company’s aggressive growth strategy calls for more than 300 restaurants by 2017 with roughly one third of those being franchises.
“Having been with First Watch for more than 20 years now, Kevin has an in-depth understanding of our operations from the ground up,” said Ken Pendery, chief executive officer for First Watch. “He truly is a brand advocate and will be a major asset in our efforts to attract new franchise partners and grow our relationship with existing ones.”
While First Watch has been operating for more than 30 years, the restaurant company only recently started franchising to prepare for accelerated growth. News of Hall’s promotion comes on the heels of several recent announcements for expansion in new and current markets, as well as a new multi-unit franchise agreement with Capstone Concepts to open eight restaurants over the next five years in Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina.
Hall is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America.
For First Watch franchise information, visit
http://www.firstwatch.com/franchise-overview.htm.
Celebrating its 30th year in 2013, First Watch specializes in award-winning, made-to-order Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch. A recipient of more than 200 “Best Breakfast” and “Best Brunch” accolades, First Watch offers traditional favorites such as omelets, pancakes, sandwiches and salads, to unique specialty items like the fan-favorite Chickichanga and Fresh Fruit Crepes. It is currently the largest and fastest-growing daytime-only restaurant concept in the U.S. with more than 100 restaurants in 15 states and additional units under development as part of the Bradenton, Fla.-based company’s aggressive growth strategy. For more information, visit www.firstwatch.com.
