Worst place to work at if you need a consistent income - Server/Waiter First Watch Employee Review

2.0
Sep 24, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

1- During the high season they’ll need you to work as much as possible. 2- Morning shift, out by 4 the latest. 3- if full time will make decent money. 4- closed Christmas and thanksgiving.

Cons

They only give full time schedules to black aprons. EXCESSIVE amounts of side work, includes scrubbing floors/walls and doing things a cleaning company should be doing but they rather not pay anyone else to do. This place(management)doesn’t care for their employees, whatever they taught you during the training throw it out the window because there’s one thing they’re good at and that is inconsistency. Constantly change of management. They’ll blame kitchen and you for anything, when they decide to crash down the kitchen for sitting the whole restaurant at once while having dozens and dozens of Togo’s but won’t turn off because ALL THEY CARE about its NUMBERS. No benefits here unless you’re a full time employee and at my location, they would rather have 50 employees than to have 20 full time and committed. When it comes to any issues even the higher ups don’t care, they’ll shorten your hours and make you want to quit because then you won’t be able to make enough. Toxic environment to work at, managers don’t even listen or care. Get ready to roll and polish because it’s all we do whenever we have no tables or also during, (if the walls are clean enough) it’s a whole bucket and sometimes two per person We help dishwasher unload dishes, it’s apparently a servers side work now. I could go and on, about the cons of working here, but that YOU FIRST is a big lie.

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First Watch Response
9mo
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re firm believers that when you know better, you do better…so we really appreciate your feedback. We pride ourselves on our “You First” culture and are disappointed to hear your experience wasn’t a positive one. Every day we strive to show appreciation for our teams and listen to their concerns. Would you mind providing us with more information by calling our anonymous employee hotline at 844-484-8963? Thanks again, and we hope to hear from you soon.

Explore other reviews about First Watch

5.0
Jul 5, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great Place with Great People

Cons

None really. Everyone was nice to work with and respectable

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First Watch Response
2w
Thanks for your 5-Star review. We’re so happy you chose First Watch as your employer and enjoy the environment and people you work with! Thanks again for the review – we appreciate you.
3.0
Jun 5, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The store is only open until 2:30 so you’re guaranteed your nights off. The menu is fairly easy to learn and the seasonal menu doesn’t change that often.

Cons

Could be my stores location, but we are constantly fighting for hours and tables. There’s not enough income for all here. And when it’s brought up to management they say it’s our “slow season” but turn around and hired three more servers. Also the meanest clientele that I have ever worked with. Very demanding with little patience, and either bad tips ($2-$4) or no tips at all. Especially on large parties. I have spoke to many employees who have worked 3+ years for the company and many of them want to leave. Too often those that don’t do their work are rewarded and it’s put on the shoulders of those that do.

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First Watch Response
1mo
We appreciate your feedback here. While we're glad you enjoy the daytime-only hours, it's helpful to understand your concerns too. If you wouldn't mind calling our anonymous employee hotline at 844-484-8963, we'd love to follow up and better understand and address your concerns where possible. Any feedback helps us, and we're grateful for yours.
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