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First Watch Restaurants Jobs (NOW HIRING)

First Watch Restaurants, Inc.

Restaurant Operations Manager

KY · On-site

$65K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

With a commitment to quality, hospitality and community, First Watch is redefining Daytime Dining across more than 630 First Watch restaurants in 32 states. For more information, visit www.firstwatch ...

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$31.5K

$71.6K

$115K

How much do first watch restaurants jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for first watch restaurants in the United States is $71,627.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,500.00 and $92,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a First Watch Restaurant employee, and why are they important?

To thrive as a First Watch Restaurant employee, you need strong customer service skills, attention to detail, and basic food safety knowledge, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems and basic kitchen equipment is typically required, and obtaining a food handler’s certificate may be necessary. Excellent teamwork, communication, and a positive attitude help employees stand out in a fast-paced, guest-focused environment. These skills ensure efficient operations, high-quality guest experiences, and a supportive workplace culture.

What is the difference between First Watch Restaurants Servers vs Cooks?

AspectFirst Watch Restaurants ServersFirst Watch Restaurants Cooks
Primary RoleTake orders, serve food, provide customer servicePrepare and cook menu items according to recipes and standards
Required SkillsCommunication, customer service, multitaskingCooking skills, food safety, attention to detail
Work EnvironmentFront-of-house, customer interactionBack-of-house, kitchen setting
Common CertificationsFood Handler’s Permit, TIPS (if applicable)Food Safety Certification, Kitchen Safety

Servers at First Watch Restaurants focus on customer service and order management, working directly with guests. Cooks handle food preparation and cooking, ensuring quality and safety. Both roles are essential in the restaurant industry, but they differ in responsibilities and work environment.

What are some common challenges faced by team members at First Watch Restaurants, and how are they supported in overcoming them?

Team members at First Watch Restaurants often encounter challenges such as managing a high volume of guests during peak breakfast and brunch hours and maintaining a fast-paced workflow without compromising service quality. To support staff, First Watch provides thorough onboarding, ongoing training, and a strong team-oriented environment. Managers are proactive in offering guidance and ensuring open communication, while flexible scheduling and opportunities for cross-training help team members adapt and grow within the restaurant. Collaboration and mutual support are key to overcoming daily challenges and achieving excellent guest experiences.

What is First Watch Restaurants?

First Watch Restaurants is a popular American daytime café chain known for serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Founded in 1983, First Watch focuses on fresh, made-to-order meals using high-quality ingredients. The menu features classic breakfast dishes, healthier options, and seasonal specialties. With a commitment to hospitality and community, First Watch has expanded to hundreds of locations across the United States. Their restaurants are typically open from early morning until mid-afternoon.

What cities are hiring for First Watch Restaurants jobs?

Cities with the most First Watch Restaurants job openings:

What states have the most First Watch Restaurants jobs?

States with the most job openings for First Watch Restaurants jobs include:

First Watch Restaurants jobs near you
Infographic showing various First Watch Restaurants job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,627 per year, or $34.4 per hour.

Director of Operations

First Watch Restaurants, Inc.

Durham, NC • On-site

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago

First Watch rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 128 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

35th of 88 rated restaurants

Job description

Overview
The Director of Operations is responsible for supporting the mission, vision and values of First Watch through all that he/she does in their role every day. The DO's primary purpose is to develop General Managers and restaurant management teams to build and increase sales over the previous year and improve profitability, while ensuring employee and guest satisfaction, without compromising the integrity or You First culture of the concept. The Director of Operations is responsible for the success of all First Watch operations within their span of control (5-8 direct reports and 200-300 employees).
Responsibilities
  • Leads operational activities for a group of First Watch Restaurants by performing the following in accordance with Company guidelines regarding management development, sales, and profitability, planning and customer and employee relations
  • Trains, coaches and develops General Managers and Operations Managers, through timely performance and observation feedback and evaluations
  • Follows up on training of MIT's/CAFE's and hourly employees. Works closely with the Training General Manager to monitor progress
  • Ensures development of Operations Managers within compliance of the FW management development programs
  • Through effective manpower planning executes the continuous development of the management team and ensures timely and cost effective recruitment of restaurant level management and their training within First Watch
  • Ensures the maintenance of a safe and harassment free workplace in all restaurants
  • Takes quick and responsible action in solving problems and able to uses reason when dealing with individual or staff performance based issues to include personality conflicts
  • Develops for prior approval and then meets or exceeds the area's budget, including capital investments, General and Administrative expenses
  • Promotes First Watch outside the restaurant

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent - concentration in food & beverage, business, marketing or management is preferred
  • Five to seven years of progressive leadership experience in multi unit restaurant industry operations
  • Proven track record of achieving results and building & maintaining successful teams
  • Passion for providing excellent service and quality
  • Ability to partner and build relationships while demonstrating leadership and integrity and promoting team success
  • Extensive knowledge of the principles, procedures, and best practices in the industry
  • Ability to work well under pressure in a fast paced, dynamic environment
  • Valid driver's license and ability to travel frequently within assigned market

Who We Are
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 multiple times per 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 to our communities - raising approximately $2.0 million to date. A recipient of many "Best Breakfast" and "Best Brunch" awards, First Watch was voted #1 Best Breakfast by Newsweek's Readers' Choice Awards 2025, and also named 2025 and 2024's #1 Most Loved Workplace in America by the Best Practice Institute - an accolade most recently featured 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 630 First Watch restaurants in 32 states. For more information, visit www.firstwatch.com.
First Watch is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, First Watch will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

What First Watch employees say

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About First Watch

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

First Watch is an award-winning Daytime Dining concept serving made-to-order breakfast, brunch and lunch using fresh ingredients. A recipient of hundreds of local "Best Breakfast" and "Best Brunch" accolades, First Watch's chef-driven menu includes elevated executions of classic favorites along with First Watch specialties such as the protein-packed Quinoa Power Bowl®, Farmstand Breakfast Tacos, Avocado Toast, Chickichanga, Morning Meditation (juiced in-house daily), Vodka Kale Tonic and its famous Million Dollar Bacon. In 2022, First Watch was awarded a sought-after MenuMasters honor by Nation's Restaurant News for its seasonal Braised Short Rib Omelet, recognized with ADP's coveted Culture at Work award and named a Top 100 Most Loved Workplace® by Newsweek and the Best Practice Institute. In 2021, First Watch was recognized as FSR Magazine's Best Menu and as the fastest-growing full-service restaurant chain based on unit growth. There are more than 470 First Watch restaurants in 29 states and the restaurant concept is majority owned by Advent International, one of the world's largest private-equity firms.

Industry

Food and beverage stores

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Bradenton, FL, US

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