Tampa Bay-area favorite First Watch has announced plans to open a restaurant in Brandon at 11305 Causeway Blvd. The breakfast, brunch, and lunch restaurant is expected to open in the summer of 2013 and will employ approximately 25 people.
The new 3,400 sq. ft. restaurant will be located in the Lake Brandon Village shopping center in a freestanding building previously occupied by Blinds To Go and will feature an outdoor patio. Major anchors in the center include Lowe’s, Sports Authority, and buybuy Baby.
First Watch has 37 restaurants in Florida and more than 100 across the U.S., of which three are freestanding. When the Brandon First Watch opens, it will be the only Tampa Bay-area restaurant and one of only two in the state in a freestanding outparcel building.
An award-winning company, First Watch has taken home several accolades in the area over the years, including “Favorite Business Breakfast” in the Tampa Bay Business Journal Readers’ Choice Awards and “Best Brunch Spot” in the iHeart Tampa Bay Awards.
“Over the years, we have received more requests to open a restaurant in Brandon than any other area,” says Chris Tomasso, chief marketing officer for First Watch. “We have a long history in the Tampa Bay area and have been fortunate to have built a tremendously loyal following that we are confident will carry over to this new restaurant in Brandon.”
As the company celebrates its 30th year, its aggressive growth strategy continues in its home state. News of the Brandon restaurant comes on the heels of three other recent announcements impacting Florida – the opening of the first First Watch in Wellington and plans to open the first restaurant in St. Petersburg and Winter Park during the first half of this year.
The new restaurant in Brandon will feature an interior design that maximizes natural light provided during the restaurant’s daytime hours and incorporates color tones intended to convey the warm and inviting personality of the First Watch brand. The design also accentuates an open-kitchen concept, which reinforces First Watch’s honest approach to fresh food preparation.
A recipient of more than 200 “Best Of” accolades in markets across the country, the restaurant features traditional favorites including pancakes, omelets, salads and sandwiches, as well as signature specialties such as the Chickichanga, Healthy Turkey Omelet, and Fresh Fruit Crepes. All menu items are freshly prepared to order and the restaurant does not use deep fryers or heat lamps. First Watch also can accommodate those with food allergies and those who want healthy lifestyle options.
In addition to serving unique and fresh entrées, First Watch offers its exclusive Sunrise Select Premium Blend Coffee. The special blend is made from slow-roasted, hand-selected, high-grown Panamanian, Colombian and Mexican coffee beans.
First Watch serves its entire menu seven days a week from 7 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The restaurant also offers guests complimentary newspapers and free Wi-Fi Internet access.
