To say that First Watchhas been on an expansion tearlately would be a major understatement.

Now that 2024 has arrived, the company has no intention of slowing down its rapid growth pipeline.

That means the chain should end the year with around 580 locations.

First Watch Belgian waffle on a plate

First Watch

First Watch’s expansion announcement comes on the heels of a successful year for the chain.

This year’s openings will include 43 to 47 new company-owned restaurants and nine to 11 franchise restaurants.

First Watch also plans to shutter one company-owned restaurant, though it didn’t reveal which one.

First Watch restaurant

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Hope said that the openings will be “heavily weighted” in the second half of 2024.

He said that the long-term potential for restaurant openings in both markets is “significant.”