Popular brunch chain First Watch to open first Fort Wayne location early next year

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - First Watch, a restaurant chain known for its brunch offerings, is set to open its first Fort Wayne location in early 2025, officials say.

The daytime dining concept serves breakfast, brunch, and lunch with rotating menus to offer in-season ingredients.

First Watch spokesperson Mackenzie Garrett says its first-ever Fort Wayne restaurant will open in early 2025 in Jefferson Pointe.

The chain is set to move into the former Tilted Kilt location, at 4541 Illinois Road. The 3,900-square-foot building will feature an indoor/outdoor bar with a total of 172 seats, Garrett says.

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When the Fort Wayne location opens, it will feature the core First Watch menu, which offers made-to-order dishes without the use of heat lamps, microwaves, or deep fryers.

Fan favorites include avocado toast, lemon ricotta pancakes, and their "Million Dollar Bacon". The restaurant offers health-conscious choices, like superfood bowls, wraps, and omelets, along with freshly squeezed juice, iced coffee, and cocktails. You can view their menu here .

Menus change five times a year to ensure the sourcing of fresh ingredients, Garrett says.

The store's opening will create about 30 new jobs in the community. Garrett says they typically start hiring about one month out from opening, and there are currently no Fort Wayne openings listed on the First Watch website.

The Fort Wayne restaurant will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Summit City eatery marks the company's 8th location in the Hoosier state.

Overall, First Watch operates more than 540 locations in 29 states.