Is First Watch a good company to work for?

First Watch has an overall rating of 3.7 out of 5, based on over 1,925 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has decreased by 3% over the last 12 months. 63% of employees would recommend working at First Watch to a friend and 61% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about First Watch have been left by employees working as Director of Operations , Black Apron and Cafe Manager .

Does First Watch pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, First Watch employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.2 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at First Watch. This rating has decreased by 6% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at First Watch?

63% of First Watch employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated First Watch 3.7 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.5 for culture and values and 3.4 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at First Watch?

Server (631) , Server/Waiter (294) , Operations Manager (124) , General Manager (70) , Line Cook (65) , Busser/Runner (46) , Server/Waitress (36) , Manager (34) , Director of Operations (30) , Dishwasher (27) , Cook (26) , Waitress (21) , Food Server (18) , Black Apron (16) , Busser (15)

What are the pros of working at First Watch according to real employee reviews?

"Money is Good and consistent." ((in 182 reviews)); "The pay is good and there's a program that pays for 20% of your college tuition." ((in 96 reviews)); "great food and people to work with were awesome" ((in 64 reviews)); "I loved my coworkers and the hours are great!" ((in 56 reviews)); "Great product and a culture I can be proud to represent." ((in 56 reviews))

What are the cons of working at First Watch according to real employee reviews?

"poor management and had managers try to make job difficult" ((in 139 reviews)); "Managers have a lot of responsibility and spend most of their time in the kitchen rather than being up front dealing with customers." ((in 74 reviews)); "long hours (serving shift is open to close because it is breakfast/lunch only)" ((in 39 reviews)); "Upper management is so completely out of touch it's almost as if they have never worked in a restaurant (spoiler: most of them haven't)" ((in 26 reviews)); "Also lots of favoritism" ((in 24 reviews))

What are the top reviewed First Watch locations?

Tampa , Orlando , Sarasota , Jacksonville , Raleigh , Louisville , Columbus , Houston , Cincinnati , Kansas City , Phoenix , Charlotte , Dallas , San Antonio , Atlanta , Saint Louis , Austin , Knoxville , Bradenton , Lexington-Fayette , Scottsdale , Naples , Tucson , Miami , Richmond , College Station , Fort Worth , Katy , Nashville , Overland Park

First Watch reviews

3.7

63% would recommend to a friend

(1,897 total reviews)

Chris Tomasso

69% approve of CEO

61% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

3.9

Diversity & inclusion

3.7

Work/Life balance

3.5

Culture & values

3.4

Career opportunities

3.2

Senior management

3.2

Compensation and benefits

First Watch has an employee rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars, based on 1,897 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The First Watch employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Restaurants & Food Service industry (3.4 stars).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

2K reviews

4.0

Jun 7, 2026

Morning Shifts get the Tips

Server

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Morning shifts only, individual tips rather than tip pool, only tip-out busser, fast service model

Cons

Management issues, support shifts as a server (especially on weekends making 11 instead of 20-40 per hour)

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 to re-evaluate our approach, and we're grateful for yours.

4.0

Jun 6, 2026

Great culture and management, but expect long hours

Server

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Having a morning work schedule and still having the rest of the day off. The culture and team I worked with were great. The general manager was the best GM I have worked with in the Food Industry.

Cons

Long hours, up to 10 hour shifts if opening. Little to no breaks on busy days. Early mornings (if you aren't a morning person)

First Watch Response

1mo

Thank you for sharing your positive experience while working at our North Chattanooga, TN restaurant. We realize the long hours can be tough, and we want you to know just how much we appreciate your dedication and hard work. We love you more than bacon!

3.0

Jun 5, 2026

First few months are good, but then….

Server/hostess

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.

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.

Viewing 13 - 15 of 1,897 Reviews

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Morning Shifts get the Tips

Great culture and management, but expect long hours

First few months are good, but then….

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