Company continues record-breaking expansion with dozens of new locations planned nationwide through 2026
(UCBJ) – According to a post, First Watch, an award-winning breakfast, brunch and lunch concept that continues to grow its presence in Tennessee, is opening a new location in Cookeville.
A post on the company’s website shows that the restaurant is seeking a Restaurant Operations Manager for its Cookeville location at 1115 Interstate Drive. Tennessee remains one of First Watch’s active growth markets as the company continues its Southeastern and national expansion strategy. First Watch operates 648 restaurants across 32 states as of the end of the first quarter of 2026, including 572 company-owned locations and 76 franchise-owned locations.
As reported in the UCBJ, the IHOP currently operating at that location is set to close in the coming weeks. Employees at the IHOP were recently told the restaurant would close following the sale of the property to Verlaine Capital.
According to sources, the new owners informed employees the restaurant was shutting down “ASAP.” The all-cash deal includes both the property and the building.
Individuals interested in the Restaurant Operations Manager position, which will be responsible for overseeing restaurant operations, team leadership and guest experience at the Cookeville location, can check it out at First Watch’s online career portal.
The company opened 16 new restaurants in 11 states in the first quarter of 2026. That is a record for the company and what you call “rapid expansion,” expansion that has paid off for the breakfast favorite. Total revenue increased 17.3% year-over-year to $331 million. System-wide sales increased 13.8% to $367.6 million, while same-restaurant sales increased 2.8%.
Company CEO Chris Tomasso remains confident in its growth strategy, according to reports.
“We remain the fastest-growing full-service restaurant brand in the United States and are exceptionally well-positioned to build on our record performance.” … “Our priorities for the year include deepening our presence in newly entered markets as we shift from market entry to market densification, while continuing to strategically fill in core and emerging markets,” said Chris Tomasso, CEO of First Watch, to Yahoo Finance.
The company expects continued expansion, including the Cookeville location, and plans to add 59 to 63 net new restaurants during 2026, including:
- 55 new company-owned restaurants
- 9 to 11 new franchise restaurants
First Watch has also been named Newsweek’s No. 1 Best Breakfast chain and has earned multiple workplace awards in recent years.
Check back for updates.
Image via First Watch.
Copyright 2026 The Upper Cumberland Business Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Other stories you may want to check out:
