First Watch CEO Chris Tomasso Awarded Foodservice Industry Recognition
Tomasso received the Silver Plate Award from the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association
BRADENTON, Fla. – March 12, 2024 – First Watch Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FWRG) (“First Watch” or the “Company”) President and CEO Chris Tomasso has been awarded the Silver Plate Award by the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA). Tomasso will represent the Chain Full Service category in the 70th class of Silver Plate Award recipients and will be one of nine considered for the prestigious Gold Plate Award, which will be announced at the 70th Annual IFMA Gold & Silver Plate Awards Celebration in Chicago this May.
“This recognition goes out to all our servers, cooks, bussers, dishwashers, managers and Home Office teams who wake up at the crack of dawn ready to serve with intention and, above all else, kindness,” said Chris Tomasso, President and CEO of First Watch. “It’s because of these dedicated team members and how they’ve championed our ‘You First’ culture that our brand has been able to offer unparalleled hospitality and connection within our restaurants. This award is as much for them as it is because of them, and I couldn’t be prouder to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them in this moment – and always.”
Highly regarded in the foodservice industry, IFMA’s Silver Plate Award is selected by a jury of trade press editors and previous award winners and celebrates nominees representing nine foodservice categories. For more on the IFMA Silver Plate Award, visit www.ifmaworld.com.
About First Watch
First Watch is an award-winning Daytime Dining concept serving made-to-order breakfast, brunch and lunch using fresh ingredients across its network of neighborhood restaurants. 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 specialties such as the Quinoa Power Bowl®, Farm Stand Breakfast Tacos, Avocado Toast, Chickichanga, Morning Meditation, Spiked Lavender Lemonade and its signature Million Dollar Bacon. In 2023, First Watch was recognized as the top restaurant brand in Yelp’s inaugural list of the top 50 most-loved brands in the U.S. In 2023 and 2022, First Watch was named a Top 100 Most Loved Workplace® in Newsweek by the Best Practice Institute. In 2022, First Watch was awarded a sought-after MenuMasters honor by Nation's Restaurant News for its seasonal Braised Short Rib Omelet and recognized with ADP's coveted Culture at Work Award. First Watch operates more than 520 restaurants in 29 states and employs more than 15,000 team members nationwide. For more information, visit www.firstwatch.com.
# # #
Media Contact: