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| “Being
named America’s #1 Most Loved Workplace for the second consecutive
year is a tremendous honor that reflects the heart of our company
– our people,” said Laura
Sorensen, Chief People Officer. “At First Watch, our employees are
the reason we exist, and we’re deeply committed to enhancing their lives
through meaningful benefits and impactful programs. But beyond that, it’s
the daily experience in our restaurants – the teamwork, the care and the
culture – that truly defines who we are. Guided by our ‘You First’ philosophy,
we strive to create amazing opportunities for our people, and we approach
that vision with unwavering dedication.”
 This year, First Watch was specifically recognized for maintaining its award-winning “You First” culture – originally modeled by its late co-founder Ken Pendery – as the company scales into new states and regions. Additionally, employee surveys conducted by Best Practice Institute celebrated First Watch’s work/life balance and industry-leading benefits, like back up child and elder care, free access to the Calm app, personal and professional coaching, free telemedicine services, plus free high school diploma and tuition reimbursement programs. When it comes to maintaining culture and meeting employees where they are, First Watch credits the company’s W.H.Y. (We Hear You) Tour, where Sorensen and CEO and President Chris Tomasso and COO Dan Jones host nationwide video conversations with servers, cooks, dishwashers and bussers to listen to and act upon their candid feedback. These conversations have prompted tangible and meaningful enhancements to the menu, operating systems, and employee compensation and benefit offerings. Since its inception in 2021, Sorensen, Tomasso and Jones have heard from more than 1,500 employees and logged more than 150 hours of critical conversations. For more than 40 years, First Watch has fostered a “You First” culture of putting its employees first, so they feel empowered to put their customers first. The restaurant’s one-shift “No Nights Ever” model across its more than 600 restaurants in 32 states allows teams to build deeper connections with each other and enjoy evenings with loved ones. Best Practice Institute’s annual Most Loved Workplaces® list – which is published as a custom content feature in The Wall Street Journal – is determined by surveying more than 2.8 million employees across companies of all sizes and industries. Hundreds of executives were also interviewed to provide context on culture, leadership, and strategy. Companies represented 50+ industries, from restaurants and financial services to healthcare, technology, construction and more. This independent validation ensures the rankings reflect both the lived experiences of employees and a rigorous external assessment of workplace practices. To see the complete 2025 America’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® list and company profiles, visit: www.MostLovedWorkplace.com/americas-top-most-loved-workplaces-2025. To view the feature in The Wall Street Journal, visit: partners.WSJ.com/most-loved-workplace/most-loved-workplaces-2025/Americas-top-100-most-loved-workplaces. For more information about First Watch and its career opportunities, visit careers.FirstWatch.com. About
First Watch
About
Most Loved Workplace®
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Best Practice Institute (BPI)
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