First Watch Named #1 Most Loved Workplace® in America for Second Consecutive Year
MWN-AI** Summary
First Watch, the prominent Daytime Dining restaurant chain specializing in breakfast, brunch, and lunch, has been recognized as the #1 Most Loved Workplace® in America for the second year running. This accolade, awarded by the Best Practice Institute (BPI), highlights First Watch's commitment to its “You First” culture, which prioritizes the well-being of its 15,000 employees. This year’s recognition also marks the first instance of a company achieving top placement consecutively.
Laura Sorensen, Chief People Officer of First Watch, expressed pride in the honor, emphasizing that the company's success is rooted in the dedication to its employees. The surveys conducted by BPI recognized the company for its strong work-life balance and an array of employee benefits, such as backup child and elder care, access to personal coaching, and educational support through tuition reimbursement and high school diploma programs.
First Watch's "W.H.Y. (We Hear You) Tour" has played a pivotal role in corporate culture enhancement, allowing executives to engage directly with employees and integrate their feedback into operations. This initiative has generated over 150 hours of discussions with more than 1,500 employees, resulting in significant improvements to the work environment and benefits.
For 40 years, the restaurant chain has upheld a “You First” philosophy, which allows employees to thrive in a supportive environment. Its unique "No Nights Ever" model across its 600+ restaurants enables staff to foster connections while enjoying their evenings with family.
Best Practice Institute’s annual rankings assess companies across diverse industries, evaluating their cultures and practices based on extensive employee feedback. As First Watch continues to grow, its focus on enhancing workplace culture remains a foundational aspect of its identity.
MWN-AI** Analysis
First Watch’s recent achievement as the #1 Most Loved Workplace in America for the second consecutive year highlights the strength of its corporate culture, which is critical in the competitive restaurant industry. This accolade, based on employee surveys, showcases effective leadership and a commitment to employee satisfaction, which can translate into robust operational performance and profitability.
From a market perspective, First Watch is well-positioned for growth. The company's unique focus on employee welfare, marked by its “You First” philosophy, not only attracts top talent but also enhances employee loyalty and reduces turnover. Such a culture is essential as the restaurant sector often faces labor shortages and high attrition rates. Additionally, with initiatives like the W.H.Y. (We Hear You) Tour that foster open communication with employees, First Watch can adapt quickly to both workforce and market demands, leading to better service and customer satisfaction.
Investors should also note the operational model of “No Nights Ever,” which allows employees to enjoy a work-life balance and increases their productivity during peak hours. The emphasis on quality food, sustainable practices, and community involvement, such as donations from kid’s meals, further strengthens brand appeal and customer loyalty.
Looking ahead, First Watch’s expansion into new regions signals ample opportunities for revenue growth. Maintaining a positive workplace environment while scaling operations can provide a competitive edge in the casual dining space.
In summary, First Watch represents a compelling investment opportunity. Pioneering a people-centric approach not only enhances workplace dynamics but also resonates with consumers, potentially driving higher sales and market share in the long run. Investors should closely monitor First Watch’s strategic growth initiatives and employee engagement programs as indicators of sustained performance.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
BRADENTON, Fla., Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Watch , the leading Daytime Dining restaurant serving breakfast, brunch and lunch, has been named the #1 Most Loved Workplace ® in America for the second year in a row . This is the fourth consecutive year First Watch has been recognized on the list – a demonstration of the company’s focus on championing its “You First” culture for its more than 15,000 employees. The recognition is a result of employee surveys and third-party research completed by Best Practice Institute – and marks the first time a company has ever received the top honor across two consecutive years.
“Being named America’s #1 Most Loved Workplace for the second consecutive year is a tremendous honor that reflects the heart of our company – our people,” said Laura Sorensen, Chief People Officer. “At First Watch, our employees are the reason we exist, and we’re deeply committed to enhancing their lives through meaningful benefits and impactful programs. But beyond that, it’s the daily experience in our restaurants – the teamwork, the care and the culture – that truly defines who we are. Guided by our ‘You First’ philosophy, we strive to create amazing opportunities for our people, and we approach that vision with unwavering dedication.”
This year, First Watch was specifically recognized for maintaining its award-winning “You First” culture – originally modeled by its late co-founder Ken Pendery – as the company scales into new states and regions. Additionally, employee surveys conducted by Best Practice Institute celebrated First Watch’s work/life balance and industry-leading benefits, like back up child and elder care, free access to the Calm app, personal and professional coaching, free telemedicine services, plus free high school diploma and tuition reimbursement programs.
When it comes to maintaining culture and meeting employees where they are, First Watch credits the company’s W.H.Y. (We Hear You) Tour, where Sorensen and CEO and President Chris Tomasso and COO Dan Jones host nationwide video conversations with servers, cooks, dishwashers and bussers to listen to and act upon their candid feedback. These conversations have prompted tangible and meaningful enhancements to the menu, operating systems, and employee compensation and benefit offerings. Since its inception in 2021, Sorensen, Tomasso and Jones have heard from more than 1,500 employees and logged more than 150 hours of critical conversations.
For more than 40 years, First Watch has fostered a “You First” culture of putting its employees first, so they feel empowered to put their customers first. The restaurant’s one-shift “No Nights Ever” model across its more than 600 restaurants in 32 states allows teams to build deeper connections with each other and enjoy evenings with loved ones.
Best Practice Institute’s annual Most Loved Workplaces ® list – which is published as a custom content feature in The Wall Street Journal – is determined by surveying more than 2.8 million employees across companies of all sizes and industries. Hundreds of executives were also interviewed to provide context on culture, leadership, and strategy. Companies represented 50+ industries, from restaurants and financial services to healthcare, technology, construction and more. This independent validation ensures the rankings reflect both the lived experiences of employees and a rigorous external assessment of workplace practices.
To see the complete 2025 America’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces ® list and company profiles, visit: https://mostlovedworkplace.com/americas-top-most-loved-workplaces-2025 .
To view the feature in The Wall Street Journal , visit: https://partners.wsj.com/most-loved-workplace/most-loved-workplaces-2025/Americas-top-100-most-loved-workplaces .
For more information about First Watch and its career opportunities, visit careers.firstwatch.com .
About First Watch
First Watch is the leading Daytime Dining concept serving made-to-order breakfast, brunch and lunch using the freshest ingredients available. Guided by its “Follow the Sun” culinary philosophy, First Watch's chef-driven menu rotates five times a year to feature the highest-quality flavors at their peak, offering elevated executions of classic favorites, fresh juices like the Kale Tonic, and fan favorites such as the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Quinoa Power Bowl and signature Million Dollar Bacon. For every kid’s meal served, First Watch proudly donates a portion to organizations and causes making a positive impact in our communities – raising more than $1.7 million to date. A recipient of hundreds of local “Best Breakfast” and “Best Brunch” awards, First Watch was voted 2025’s #1 Best Breakfast by Newsweek’s Readers’ Choice Awards and was also named 2025 and 2024’s #1 Most Loved Workplace ® in America by the Best Practice Institute (as seen in The Wall Street Journal ), after appearing on the list in 2022 and 2023 as well. With a commitment to quality, hospitality and community, First Watch is redefining Daytime Dining across more than 600 restaurants in 32 states. For more information, visit www.firstwatch.com .
About Most Loved Workplace ®
Most Loved Workplace ® is a global certification and recognition platform powered by Best Practice Institute. Organizations certified as Most Loved Workplaces ® outperform peers in retention, productivity, and customer satisfaction. Based on the Love of Workplace Index ® , the model is featured in the bestselling book In Great Company (McGraw-Hill, 2019).
About Best Practice Institute (BPI)
Best Practice Institute (BPI) is a leadership development and benchmark research organization that partners with corporations worldwide to optimize culture, performance, and talent strategy. BPI is the exclusive certifier and research body behind Most Loved Workplace ® .
Investor Relations Contact
Steven L. Marotta
941-500-1918
investors@firstwatch.com
Media Relations Contact
Jenni Glester
407-864-5823
jglester@firstwatch.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b38f55c8-b5a5-4a18-baef-8458bad8cc54
FAQ**
How does the recognition as the #1 Most Loved Workplace impact First Watch Restaurant Group Inc. (FWRG)'s employee retention and recruitment strategies in the competitive restaurant industry?
What specific initiatives has First Watch Restaurant Group Inc. (FWRG) implemented to uphold its "You First" culture as it expands into new regions?
Can First Watch Restaurant Group Inc. (FWRG) elaborate on the measurable outcomes from the W.H.Y. (We Hear You) Tour and how employee feedback has influenced decision-making?
How does First Watch Restaurant Group Inc. (FWRG) plan to leverage its recent accolades to further drive customer loyalty and brand awareness in the crowded market of Daytime Dining?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about First Watch Restaurant Group Inc. (NASDAQ: FWRG).
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