First Watch Restaurant Group, Inc.
For the period ended Sep 28, 2025. Filed Nov 4, 2025.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Sep 28, 2025 · Filed Nov 4, 2025
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Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
| SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | DECEMBER 29, 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Assets | ||
| Current assets: | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $20,714 | $33,312 |
| Accounts receivable | 5,506 | 7,235 |
| Inventory | 6,486 | 6,117 |
| Prepaid expenses | 6,712 | 7,008 |
| Derivative assets, current | — | 20 |
| Other current assets | 4,298 | 2,184 |
| Total current assets | 43,716 | 55,876 |
| Goodwill | 420,208 | 398,565 |
| Intangible assets, net | 177,235 | 167,596 |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 609,820 | 527,674 |
| Property, fixtures and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $268,698 and $229,227, respectively | 464,593 | 361,394 |
| Other long-term assets | 4,657 | 3,251 |
| Total assets | $1,720,229 | $1,514,356 |
| Liabilities and Equity | ||
| Current liabilities: | ||
| Accounts payable | $7,231 | $6,961 |
| Accrued liabilities | 49,831 | 39,607 |
| Accrued compensation | 30,564 | 21,244 |
| Deferred revenues | 2,637 | 5,623 |
| Current portion of operating lease liabilities | 72,785 | 55,704 |
| Current portion of long-term debt | 13,123 | 9,228 |
| Derivative liabilities, current | 596 | 105 |
| Total current liabilities | 176,767 | 138,472 |
| Operating lease liabilities | 645,455 | 555,576 |
| Long-term debt, net | 250,988 | 189,043 |
| Deferred income taxes | 33,787 | 32,218 |
| Derivative liabilities | 912 | 503 |
| Other long-term liabilities | 5,009 | 3,155 |
| Total liabilities | 1,112,918 | 918,967 |
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 13) | ||
| Equity: | ||
| Preferred stock; $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding | — | — |
| Common stock; $0.01 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized; 61,032,105 and 60,700,090 shares issued and outstanding at September 28, 2025 and December 29, 2024, respectively | 610 | 607 |
| Additional paid-in capital | 657,387 | 649,045 |
| Accumulated deficit | (49,554) | (53,822) |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (1,132) | (441) |
| Total equity | 607,311 | 595,389 |
| Total liabilities and equity | $1,720,229 | $1,514,356 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
| THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED | THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 | SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 | |
| Revenues: | ||||
| Restaurant sales | $313,636 | $248,965 | $898,210 | $743,730 |
| Franchise revenues | 2,386 | 2,644 | 7,939 | 8,889 |
| Total revenues | 316,022 | 251,609 | 906,149 | 752,619 |
| Operating costs and expenses: | ||||
| Restaurant operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below): | ||||
| Food and beverage costs | 69,730 | 55,865 | 208,355 | 163,852 |
| Labor and other related expenses | 102,387 | 83,756 | 300,451 | 247,332 |
| Other restaurant operating expenses | 50,140 | 38,891 | 141,002 | 113,232 |
| Occupancy expenses | 25,891 | 21,075 | 73,849 | 60,733 |
| Pre-opening expenses | 3,813 | 2,387 | 9,980 | 5,782 |
| General and administrative expenses | 33,746 | 27,680 | 97,150 | 82,527 |
| Depreciation and amortization | 19,662 | 15,153 | 54,355 | 41,960 |
| Impairments and loss on disposal of assets | 175 | 114 | 311 | 386 |
| Transaction expenses, net | 428 | 375 | 2,220 | 1,769 |
| Total operating costs and expenses | 305,972 | 245,296 | 887,673 | 717,573 |
| Income from operations | 10,050 | 6,313 | 18,476 | 35,046 |
| Interest expense | (4,567) | (3,441) | (11,904) | (9,421) |
| Other income, net | 191 | 624 | 1,141 | 1,663 |
| Income before income taxes | 5,674 | 3,496 | 7,713 | 27,288 |
| Income tax expense | (2,683) | (1,384) | (3,445) | (9,062) |
| Net income | $2,991 | $2,112 | $4,268 | $18,226 |
| Net income | $2,991 | $2,112 | $4,268 | $18,226 |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | ||||
| Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives | 88 | (3,560) | (920) | (2,421) |
| Income tax related to other comprehensive income (loss) | (22) | 888 | 229 | 604 |
| Comprehensive income (loss) | $3,057 | $(560) | $3,577 | $16,409 |
| Net income per common share - basic | $0.05 | $0.03 | $0.07 | $0.30 |
| Net income per common share - diluted | $0.05 | $0.03 | $0.07 | $0.29 |
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic | 61,027,278 | 60,428,016 | 60,933,443 | 60,275,167 |
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted | 62,834,080 | 61,851,127 | 62,798,962 | 62,343,751 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
| Common Stock · AdditionalPaid-inCapital · AccumulatedDeficit · Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) · TotalEquity | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shares · Amount | ||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | 59,891,705 | $599 | $634,099 | $(72,747) | $(667) | $561,284 | ||
| Net income | — | — | — | 7,214 | — | 7,214 | ||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | 1,866 | — | — | 1,866 | ||
| Common stock issued under stock-based compensation plans, net | 480,826 | 5 | 3,142 | — | — | 3,147 | ||
| Other comprehensive income, net of tax | — | — | — | — | 929 | 929 | ||
| Balance at March 31. 2024 | 60,372,531 | 604 | 639,107 | (65,533) | 262 | 574,440 | ||
| Net income | — | — | — | 8,900 | — | 8,900 | ||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | 2,452 | — | — | 2,452 | ||
| Common stock issued under stock-based compensation plans, net | 30,307 | — | 66 | — | — | 66 | ||
| Other comprehensive loss, net of tax | — | — | — | — | (74) | (74) | ||
| Balance at June 30, 2024 | 60,402,838 | 604 | 641,625 | (56,633) | 188 | 585,784 | ||
| Net income | — | — | — | 2,112 | — | 2,112 | ||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | 2,076 | — | — | 2,076 | ||
| Common stock issued under stock-based compensation plans, net | 149,255 | 2 | 1,829 | — | 1,831 | |||
| Other comprehensive loss, net of tax | — | — | — | — | (2,672) | (2,672) | ||
| Balance at September 29, 2024 | 60,552,093 | $606 | $645,530 | $(54,521) | $(2,484) | $589,131 | ||
| Common Stock · AdditionalPaid-inCapital · AccumulatedDeficit · Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) · TotalEquity | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shares · Amount | ||||||
| Balance at December 29, 2024 | 60,700,090 | $607 | $649,045 | $(53,822) | $(441) | $595,389 |
| Net loss | — | — | — | (829) | — | (829) |
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | 2,259 | — | — | 2,259 |
| Common stock issued under stock-based compensation plans, net | 274,453 | 3 | 130 | — | — | 133 |
| Other comprehensive loss, net of tax | — | — | — | — | (663) | (663) |
| Balance at March 30, 2025 | 60,974,543 | 610 | 651,434 | (54,651) | (1,104) | 596,289 |
| Net income | — | — | — | 2,106 | — | 2,106 |
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | 2,842 | — | — | 2,842 |
| Common stock issued under stock-based compensation plans, net | 49,428 | — | 170 | — | — | 170 |
| Other comprehensive loss, net of tax | — | — | — | — | (94) | (94) |
| Balance at June 29, 2025 | 61,023,971 | 610 | 654,446 | (52,545) | (1,198) | 601,313 |
| Net income | — | — | — | 2,991 | — | 2,991 |
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | 2,941 | — | — | 2,941 |
| Common stock issued under stock-based compensation plans, net | 8,134 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Other comprehensive income, net of tax | — | — | — | — | 66 | 66 |
| Balance at September 28, 2025 | 61,032,105 | $610 | $657,387 | $(49,554) | $(1,132) | $607,311 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
| THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED | ||
|---|---|---|
| SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 | |
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||
| Net income | $4,268 | $18,226 |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||
| Depreciation and amortization | 54,355 | 41,960 |
| Stock-based compensation, net of amounts capitalized | 7,926 | 6,394 |
| Non-cash operating lease costs | 24,167 | 19,241 |
| Non-cash loss on extinguishments and modifications of debt | — | 358 |
| Deferred income taxes | 1,798 | 7,497 |
| Amortization of debt discount and deferred issuance costs | 493 | 412 |
| Impairments and loss on disposal of assets | 311 | 386 |
| Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of business combinations: | ||
| Accounts receivable | 1,729 | 600 |
| Inventory | (179) | 280 |
| Prepaid expenses | 365 | 78 |
| Other assets, current and long-term | (2,590) | (1,912) |
| Accounts payable | 270 | 550 |
| Accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities | 11,546 | 6,567 |
| Accrued compensation and deferred payroll taxes | 9,320 | 3,486 |
| Deferred revenues, current and long-term | (3,570) | (3,441) |
| Other liabilities | — | (259) |
| Operating lease liabilities | (2,757) | (7,674) |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 107,452 | 92,749 |
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||
| Capital expenditures | (120,108) | (87,272) |
| Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | (54,833) | (78,547) |
| Purchase of intangible assets | (830) | (100) |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (175,771) | (165,919) |
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||
| Proceeds from borrowings on revolving credit facility | 261,500 | 22,500 |
| Repayments of borrowings on revolving credit facility | (226,500) | (52,500) |
| Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | 27,500 | 197,500 |
| Repayments of long-term debt, including finance lease liabilities | (7,082) | (95,401) |
| Payment of debt discount and deferred issuance costs | — | (2,430) |
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options, net of employee taxes paid | 303 | 5,044 |
| Contingent consideration payment | — | (375) |
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 55,721 | 74,338 |
| Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (12,598) | 1,168 |
| Cash and cash equivalents: | ||
| Beginning of period | 33,312 | 49,961 |
| End of period | $20,714 | $51,129 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - continued
(IN THOUSANDS)
| THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED | ||
|---|---|---|
| SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 | |
| Supplemental cash flow information: | ||
| Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized | $6,918 | $5,943 |
| Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds | $2,061 | $2,952 |
| Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||
| Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities (1) | $104,097 | $104,433 |
| Leased assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities | $9,536 | $195 |
| Remeasurements and terminations of operating lease assets and lease liabilities | $5,620 | $3,084 |
| Remeasurements and terminations of finance lease assets and lease liabilities | $(520) | $(13) |
| (Decrease) Increase in liabilities from acquisition of property, fixtures and equipment | $(391) | $3,044 |
(1) Leased assets and liabilities obtained during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2025 and September 29, 2024 include $23.6 million and $28.1 million from business acquisitions, respectively.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- Nature of Business and Organization
First Watch Restaurant Group, Inc. (collectively with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, “the Company,” or “Management”) is a Delaware holding company. The Company operates and franchises restaurantsin 32 states operating under the “First Watch” trade name, which are focused on made-to-order breakfast, brunch and lunch. The Company does not operate outside of the United States and all of its assets are located in the United States. As of September 28, 2025, the Company operated 548 company-owned restaurants and had 72 franchise-owned restaurants.
- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The Company reports financial information on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Sunday of each calendar year. The quarters ended September 28, 2025 and September 29, 2024 were 13-week periods. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the year ended December 29, 2024 (“2024 Form 10-K”).
The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements included in the 2024 Form 10-K and include all adjustments necessary for the fair statement of the consolidated financial statements for the quarterly periods presented. The results of operations for quarterly periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for other quarterly periods or the entire fiscal year.
Use of Estimates
Preparation of the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires Management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from the estimates and such differences could be material.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Certain assets and liabilities are carried at fair value. Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current assets and liabilities approximate their fair values due to their short-term maturities.
Interest Rate Swaps
As an element of the Company’s interest rate risk management strategy, Management uses interest rate swaps. The intent of these instruments is to reduce cash flow exposure to variability in future interest rates on the Company’s debt. Management has elected to designate and qualify the interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges. As such, the instruments are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. Thereafter, gains or losses on the instruments are recognized in equity as changes to Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and subsequently reclassified into earnings at the time of the Company’s debt interest payments.
Summary of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which establishes new income tax disclosure requirements including disaggregated information about a reporting entity’s effective tax rate reconciliation as well as disaggregated information on income taxes paid. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and should be applied on a prospective basis, however, retrospective application is permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard and anticipates an expansion in the Company’s annual income tax disclosures.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures, which establishes new disclosure requirements related to purchases of inventory, employee compensation, selling expenses, depreciation and intangible amortization. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027 and should be applied on a prospective basis with the option to apply the standard retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard.
In September 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-06, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software, which updates the accounting for internal-use software by replacing stage-based rules with a principles-based framework, clarifying the criteria for capitalization and merging website development cost guidance. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2027, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. The update may be applied prospectively, retrospectively, or on a modified transition basis based on the status of the project and whether software costs were capitalized before the date of adoption. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard.
Recent accounting guidance not discussed herein is not applicable, did not have, or is not expected to have a material impact to the Company.
- Business Acquisitions
During the second quarter of 2025, the Company acquired, intwo separate transactions, substantially all the assets associated with 19 franchise-operated First Watch restaurants. For both transactions, the purchase price was allocated to the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. The allocations were based on preliminary valuations and are subject to adjustment as additional information is available. The Company expects to finalize the valuations of these assets no later than one year from the respective acquisition dates.
| DATE OF ACQUISITION | ||
|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except number of acquired restaurants) | APRIL 14, 2025 | APRIL 28, 2025 |
| Number of acquired restaurants | 3 | 16 |
| Purchase price (cash) | $6,985 | $49,247 |
| Transaction costs incurred | $416 | $1,005 |
| Deferred franchise fees recognized as a result of termination of pre-existing franchise agreement | $— | $398 |
| Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed: | ||
| Cash | $5 | $24 |
| Inventory | $31 | $159 |
| Other assets | $9 | $124 |
| Property, fixtures and equipment | $2,998 | $19,800 |
| Reacquired rights | $1,920 | $13,060 |
| Goodwill | $2,876 | $18,767 |
| Operating right-of-use assets, net of lease positions and prepaid rent | $2,922 | $17,305 |
| Operating lease liabilities | $(3,735) | $(19,896) |
| Accounts payable | $(2) | $— |
| Deferred revenues - gift card liabilities assumed | $(39) | $(96) |
Goodwill reflects the value of expected synergies and assembled workforce, and was assigned to the Company’s single reporting unit. The Company will treat the transactions as asset acquisitions for income tax purposes, which allows for any goodwill recognized to be tax deductible and amortized over a 15-year statutory life.
The weighted average estimated useful life of the reacquired rights is 6.1 years.
Pro-forma financial information of the acquired restaurants for periods prior to the acquisition dates is not presented due to the immaterial impact on the consolidated financial statements.
- Revenues
Revenues recognized disaggregated by type were as follows:
| THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED | THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 | SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 |
| Restaurant sales: | ||||
| In-restaurant dining sales | $254,155 | $207,047 | $728,282 | $613,422 |
| Third-party delivery sales | 37,163 | 22,372 | 103,633 | 72,682 |
| Take-out sales | 22,318 | 19,546 | 66,295 | 57,626 |
| Total restaurant sales | 313,636 | 248,965 | 898,210 | 743,730 |
| Franchise revenues: | ||||
| Royalty and system fund contributions | 2,333 | 2,587 | 7,371 | 8,257 |
| Initial fees | 53 | 57 | 170 | 219 |
| Business combinations - revenues recognized | — | — | 398 | 413 |
| Total franchise revenues | 2,386 | 2,644 | 7,939 | 8,889 |
| Total revenues | $316,022 | $251,609 | $906,149 | $752,619 |
The following tables include a detail of liabilities from contracts with customers:
| (in thousands) | SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | DECEMBER 29, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Deferred revenues: | ||
| Deferred gift card revenue | $2,423 | $5,385 |
| Deferred franchise fee revenue - current | 214 | 238 |
| Total current deferred revenues | $2,637 | $5,623 |
| Other long-term liabilities: | ||
| Deferred franchise fee revenue - non-current | $1,242 | $1,691 |
Changes in deferred gift card contract liabilities were as follows:
| THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED | THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 | SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 |
| Deferred gift card revenue: | ||||
| Balance, beginning of period | $3,301 | $3,022 | $5,385 | $5,224 |
| Gift card sales | 1,455 | 1,271 | 6,305 | 5,518 |
| Gift card redemptions | (2,073) | (1,915) | (8,422) | (7,766) |
| Gift card breakage | (260) | (237) | (980) | (1,000) |
| Gift card liabilities assumed through acquisitions | — | — | 135 | 165 |
| Balance, end of period | $2,423 | $2,141 | $2,423 | $2,141 |
Changes in deferred franchise fee contract liabilities were as follows:
| THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED | THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 | SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 |
| Deferred franchise fee revenue: | ||||
| Balance, beginning of period | $1,489 | $1,893 | $1,929 | $2,061 |
| Cash received | 20 | 32 | 95 | 439 |
| Franchise revenues recognized | (53) | (57) | (170) | (219) |
| Business combinations - franchise revenues recognized | — | — | (398) | (413) |
| Balance, end of period | $1,456 | $1,868 | $1,456 | $1,868 |
- Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable consisted of the following:
| (in thousands) | SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | DECEMBER 29, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Receivable rebates from vendors | $1,332 | $1,657 |
| Receivables from third-party delivery providers | 2,354 | 1,445 |
| Receivables from franchisees | 934 | 987 |
| Receivables related to gift card sales | 362 | 1,683 |
| Other receivables | 524 | 1,463 |
| Total accounts receivable | $5,506 | $7,235 |
- Accrued Liabilities
Accrued liabilities consisted of the following:
| (in thousands) | SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | DECEMBER 29, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Construction liabilities | $16,378 | $16,769 |
| Sales tax | 8,973 | 7,919 |
| Interest payable | 4,663 | 267 |
| Insurance liabilities | 3,499 | 2,521 |
| Utilities | 3,011 | 2,156 |
| Credit card fees | 2,090 | 1,973 |
| Property tax | 2,262 | 830 |
| Contingent rent | 1,241 | 1,058 |
| Other | 7,714 | 6,114 |
| Total accrued liabilities | $49,831 | $39,607 |
- Debt
Long-term debt, net consisted of the following:
| SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 · DECEMBER 29, 2024 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) · Balance · Interest Rate · Balance · Interest Rate | ||||||
| Term Facilities | $214,438 | 7.15% | $193,797 | 6.93% | ||
| Revolving Credit Facility | 35,000 | 7.49% | — | |||
| Finance lease liabilities | 12,924 | 2,766 | ||||
| Financing obligation | 3,050 | 3,050 | ||||
| Less: Unamortized debt discount and deferred issuance costs | (1,301) | (1,342) | ||||
| Total debt, net | 264,111 | 198,271 | ||||
| Less: Current portion of long-term debt | (13,123) | (9,228) | ||||
| Long-term debt, net | $250,988 | $189,043 | ||||
Credit Facility
FWR Holding Corporation (“FWR”), a subsidiary of the Company, is the borrower under the credit agreement dated October 6, 2021, the terms of which were amended on February 24, 2023 and January 5, 2025, which provides for (i) a $225.0 million term loan A facility and delayed draw facility (the “Term Facilities”) and (ii) a $125.0 million revolving credit facility, (“the Revolving Credit Facility”), and together with the Term Facilities, (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility matures on January 5, 2029.
During the second quarter of 2025, the Company drew $27.5 million on the delayed draw facility and $32.5 million on the Revolving Credit Facility, primarily to fund the business acquisitions referenced in Note 3, Business Acquisitions. As of September 28, 2025, the delayed draw facility was fully drawn with the same servicing and repayment terms as the term loan A facility.
As of September 28, 2025, borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at the option of FWR at either (i) the alternate base rate plus a margin of between 150 and 225 basis points depending on the total rent adjusted net leverage ratio of FWR and its restricted subsidiaries on a consolidated basis (the “Total Rent Adjusted Net Leverage Ratio”) or (ii) SOFR plus a credit spread adjustment of 10 basis points plus a margin of between 250 and 325 basis points depending on the Total Rent Adjusted Net Leverage Ratio. Refer to Note 8, Interest Rate Swaps, for information about the Company’s variable-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements.
Fair Value of Debt
The estimated fair value of the outstanding debt, excluding finance lease obligations and financing obligations, is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy and was estimated using discounted cash flow models, market yield and yield volatility. The following table includes the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s debt as of the dates indicated:
| SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | DECEMBER 29, 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | Carrying Value | Fair Value | Carrying Value | Fair Value |
| Term Facilities | $214,438 | $214,322 | $193,797 | $193,417 |
| Revolving Credit Facility | $35,000 | $34,980 | $— | $— |
Debt Covenants
The Credit Facility is guaranteed by all of FWR’s wholly-owned subsidiaries and by AI Fresh Parent, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the direct parent company of FWR (“Holdings”), and is secured by associated collateral agreements that pledge a lien on substantially all of FWR’s and each guarantor’s assets, including fixed assets and intangibles, in each case, subject to customary exceptions.
Under the credit agreement, FWR (and in certain circumstances, Holdings) and its subsidiaries are subject to affirmative, negative and financial covenants, maintenance of certain ratios, restrictions on additional indebtedness and events of default for facilities of this type (with customary grace periods, as applicable, and lender remedies). FWR was in compliance with its covenants under the credit agreement as of September 28, 2025.
- Interest Rate Swaps
Interest rate swaps are utilized to hedge a portion of the cash flows of the Company’s variable rate debt.
On June 23, 2023, Management entered intotwo variable-to-fixed interest rate swaps. These interest rate swaps have an aggregate notional amount of $90.0 million and mature on October 6, 2026. Under the terms of the interest rate swaps, the Company will pay a weighted average fixed rate of 4.16% on the notional amount and will receive payments from, or make payments to, the counterparties based on the three-month SOFR rate.
On May 17, 2024, Management entered intotwo additional variable-to-fixed interest rate swaps. These interest rate swaps have an aggregate notional amount of $60.0 million and mature on June 30, 2027. Under the terms of the interest rate swaps, the Company will pay a weighted average fixed rate of 4.42% on the notional amount and will receive payments from, or make payments to, the counterparties based on the three-month SOFR rate.
The fair value measurement of the interest rate swaps was based on the contractual terms and market-based inputs. The interest rate swaps were valued using a discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows using observable inputs including interest rate curves and credit spreads. Although the majority of the inputs used to value the instruments fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments utilized Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by the Company and the counterparties. The impact of the credit valuation adjustments was not determined to be significant to the overall valuation. As a result, the derivative was classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
Amounts reported in Other comprehensive income (loss) related to the interest rate swaps are reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate debt. During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2025, a total of $0.1 million was reclassified from Other comprehensive income (loss) as a reduction to Interest expense. Over the next 12 months, Management estimates that $0.9 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.
- Leases
The following table includes detail of lease assets and liabilities:
| (in thousands) | Consolidated Balance Sheet Classification | SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | DECEMBER 29, 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance lease assets - current | Other current assets | $1,365 | $— |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | Operating lease right-of-use assets | 609,820 | 527,674 |
| Finance lease assets | Property, fixtures and equipment, net | 10,962 | 2,724 |
| Total lease assets | $622,147 | $530,398 | |
| Operating lease liabilities - current(1) | Current portion of operating lease liabilities | $72,785 | $55,704 |
| Operating lease liabilities - non-current | Operating lease liabilities | 645,455 | 555,576 |
| Finance lease liabilities - current(1) | Current portion of long-term debt | 1,873 | 587 |
| Finance lease liabilities - non-current | Long-term debt, net | 11,051 | 2,179 |
| Total lease liabilities | $731,164 | $614,046 |
(1) Excludes all variable lease expense for real estate leases.
The components of lease expense were as follows:
| (in thousands) · Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) Classification · THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED · THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 · SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 · SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 · SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 | |||||
| Operating lease expense | Other restaurant operating expensesOccupancy expensesPre-opening expensesGeneral and administrative expenses | $21,905 | $18,269 | $62,449 | $51,021 |
| Variable lease expense | Food and beverage costsOccupancy expensesGeneral and administrative expenses | 5,953 | 4,816 | 16,997 | 14,242 |
| Finance lease expense: | |||||
| Amortization of leased assets | Depreciation and amortization | 342 | 134 | 760 | 395 |
| Interest on lease liabilities | Interest expense | 155 | 15 | 286 | 51 |
| Total lease expense (1) | $28,355 | $23,234 | $80,492 | $65,709 | |
(1) Includes contingent rent expense of $0.5 million and $0.4 million during the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2025 and September 29, 2024, respectively, and $1.5 million and $1.3 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2025 and September 29, 2024, respectively.
Supp lemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
| (in thousands) | THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED | |
|---|---|---|
| SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 | |
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | ||
| Operating cash flows - operating leases | $41,044 | $39,450 |
| Operating cash flows - finance leases | $286 | $51 |
| Financing cash flows - finance leases | $223 | $431 |
Supplemental information related to leases was as follows:
| THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED | ||
|---|---|---|
| SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 | |
| Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years) | ||
| Operating leases | 12.9 | 13.4 |
| Finance leases | 9.4 | 3.5 |
| Weighted-average discount rate (1) | ||
| Operating leases | 7.8% | 7.8% |
| Finance leases | 6.2% | 6.4% |
(1) Based on the Company’s incremental borrowing rate.
- Deferred Compensation
The First Watch Deferred Compensation Plan was adopted by the Company effective January 1, 2025. The First Watch Deferred Compensation Plan allows officers and other key employees to defer their compensation within designated annual limits. Discretionary matching and other credits may be made to the accounts of active participants, which vest based on an employee’s years of service or vest in full upon an active participant’s death, disability or a Company change in control event, as defined in the plan. Participants’ earnings on contributions fluctuate with the actual earnings and losses of available investment choices selected by the participants.
While the First Watch Deferred Compensation Plan is unsecured, Management has elected to fund certain of these obligations through a rabbi trust, the assets of which consist of Company-owned life insurance policies. The assets held in the rabbi trust are not available for general corporate purposes and are subject to creditor claims in the event of insolvency.
The cash surrender value of the life insurance policies held in the rabbi trust is recorded in other long-term assets. As of September 28, 2025, rabbi trust assets totaled $1.4 million. Changes to the cash surrender value and any increases or decreases to deferred compensation liabilities incurred under the First Watch Deferred Compensation Plan are recorded as general and administrative expenses. As of September 28, 2025, the deferred compensation obligation included in other long-term liabilities totaled $1.5 million.
- Equity and Stock-Based Compensation
Stock option awards
There were no stock option awards granted during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2025. A summary of stock option activity during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2025 was as follows:
| NUMBER OF OPTIONS | WEIGHTED AVERAGEEXERCISE PRICE PER SHARE | AGGREGATE INTRINSIC VALUE (in thousands) | WEIGHTED AVERAGEREMAINING CONTRACTUAL LIFE (in years) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outstanding, December 29, 2024 | 3,701,017 | $10.14 | $31,676 | 4.1 |
| Forfeited | (964) | $12.58 | ||
| Exercised | (30,959) | $9.79 | ||
| Outstanding, September 28, 2025 | 3,669,094 | $10.14 | $21,512 | 3.4 |
| Exercisable, September 28, 2025 | 3,659,622 | $10.14 | $21,480 | 3.4 |
The aggregate intrinsic value is based on the difference between the exercise price of the stock option and the closing price of the Company’s common stock on Nasdaq on the last trading day of the period.
A summary of the non-vested stock option activity during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2025 is as follows:
| NUMBER OF OPTIONS | WEIGHTED AVERAGE GRANT DATE FAIR VALUE PER SHARE | |
|---|---|---|
| Nonvested, December 29, 2024 | 324,245 | $6.55 |
| Forfeited | (963) | $6.76 |
| Vested | (313,810) | $6.66 |
| Nonvested, September 28, 2025 | 9,472 | $2.88 |
Restricted stock units
During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2025, a total of 1,028,509 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) were granted. Of the total RSUs granted,597,737 will vest ratably over a period ofthree years from grant date,65,364 will vestone year from the grant date, and the remaining 365,408 will vest four years from the grant date. A summary of the Company’s RSU activity during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2025 is as follows:
| RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS | WEIGHTED AVERAGE GRANT DATE FAIR VALUE PER SHARE | AGGREGATE INTRINSIC VALUE (in thousands) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outstanding, December 29, 2024 | 759,721 | $20.67 | $14,207 |
| Granted | 1,028,509 | $16.75 | |
| Forfeited | (8,846) | $19.95 | |
| Vested | (301,056) | $19.36 | |
| Outstanding, September 28, 2025 | 1,478,328 | $18.22 | $23,653 |
The aggregate intrinsic value is based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on Nasdaq of $16.00 and $18.70 on September 26, 2025 and December 27, 2024, the last trading days of the periods, respectively.
Stock-based compensation expense, net of amounts capitalized, was $2.9 million and $2.1 million during the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2025 and September 29, 2024, respectively, and $7.9 million and $6.4 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2025 and September 29, 2024, respectively. Capitalized stock-based compensation included in property, fixtures and equipment totaled $0.1 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2025. The total related income tax benefit for stock-based compensation expense was $0.1 million during the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2025 and September 29, 2024, respectively, and $1.3 million and $1.6 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2025 and September 29, 2024, respectively.
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense
The following represents unrecognized stock-based compensation expense and the remaining weighted average vesting period as of September 28, 2025:
| UNRECOGNIZED STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE (in thousands) | REMAINING WEIGHTED AVERAGE VESTING PERIOD (in years) | |
|---|---|---|
| Stock options | $1 | 0.2 |
| Restricted stock units | $20,160 | 2.2 |
- Income Taxes
| THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED | THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 | SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 |
| Income before income taxes | $5,674 | $3,496 | $7,713 | $27,288 |
| Income tax expense | $(2,683) | $(1,384) | $(3,445) | $(9,062) |
| Effective income tax rate | 47.3% | 39.6% | 44.7% | 33.2% |
The Company’s income tax expense for interim periods is determined using an estimate of its annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items arising during interim periods. For both the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2025, and the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2024, there were no significant discrete items recorded.
In the United States, a restaurant company employer may claim a credit against its federal income taxes for FICA taxes paid on certain tipped wages (the “FICA tax credit”). The amount of FICA tax credits generated is primarily driven by restaurant sales.
The effective income tax rates for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2025 increased as compared to the same periods in the prior year primarily due to the changes in income before income taxes, the increase in FICA tax credits and the corresponding change in the valuation allowance, and the impact of executive compensation.
For the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2025 and September 29, 2024, the income tax expense includes the impact of changes to the estimate of forecasted annual income before taxes relative to the prior period in each respective year.
Management applied the relevant provisions of H.R. 1 –One Big Beautiful Billin the third quarter of 2025 following its enactment on July 4, 2025, including provisions related to research and development. The impact on our consolidated financial statements was immaterial.
Valuation allowance
Management evaluates quarterly whether the resulting deferred tax assets are realizable given the Company’s earnings history. Based on the available evidence, the Company does not meet the more likely than not standard related to the realization of a portion of the deferred tax assets as of September 28, 2025. Accordingly, the Company has established a valuation allowance on the portion of deferred tax assets deemed not realizable, including state charitable contribution carryovers, various state loss carryforwards and various federal tax credit carryforwards.
Management continues to assess the rationale for recording a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. As the Company’s future taxable earnings increase and deferred tax assets are utilized, it is possible that a portion of the valuation allowance will no longer be needed. Release of any valuation allowance would result in the recognition of certain deferred tax assets and a decrease to income tax expense in the period of the release. The timing and amount of any release related to future taxable income is currently indeterminable.
- Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
The Company is subject to legal proceedings, claims and liabilities that arise in the ordinary course of business. The amount of the anticipated liability with respect to these matters was not material as of September 28, 2025. In the event any litigation losses become probable and estimable, the Company will recognize anticipated losses.
- Segment Information
Management determined the Company’s single operating segment on the basis that the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (the “CODM”), the Chief Executive Officer, assesses performance and allocates resources at the Company’s consolidated level. The Company’s CODM uses consolidated net income to evaluate performance and make key operating decisions, such as investments in our long-term growth strategy. This measure is also used to monitor budget against actual results.
Revenue is derived from sales of food and beverage, net of discounts, by Company-owned restaurants as well as franchise royalty, system fund and initial franchise fees. The measure of total assets for the reporting segment is reported on the consolidated balance sheets. The measure of capital expenditures for the reporting segment is reported on the consolidated statements of cash flows.
The following table details consolidated net income for the segment for the periods indicated:
| THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED | THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 | SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 |
| Total revenues | $316,022 | $251,609 | $906,149 | $752,619 |
| Less: | ||||
| Food and beverage costs | 69,730 | 55,865 | 208,355 | 163,852 |
| Labor and other related expenses | 102,387 | 83,756 | 300,451 | 247,332 |
| Other restaurant operating expenses | 50,140 | 38,891 | 141,002 | 113,232 |
| Occupancy expenses | 25,891 | 21,075 | 73,849 | 60,733 |
| Pre-opening expenses | 3,813 | 2,387 | 9,980 | 5,782 |
| Stock-based compensation, net of amounts capitalized | 2,877 | 2,076 | 7,926 | 6,394 |
| General and administrative expenses (1) | 30,869 | 25,604 | 89,224 | 76,133 |
| Depreciation and amortization | 19,662 | 15,153 | 54,355 | 41,960 |
| Other segment items (2) | 603 | 489 | 2,531 | 2,155 |
| Interest expense | 4,567 | 3,441 | 11,904 | 9,421 |
| Other income, net | (191) | (624) | (1,141) | (1,663) |
| Income tax expense | 2,683 | 1,384 | 3,445 | 9,062 |
| Net income | $2,991 | $2,112 | $4,268 | $18,226 |
(1) General and administrative expenses excludes stock-based compensation, net of amounts capitalized presented separately.
(2) Other segment items included in segment net income are primarily transaction expenses, and impairments and loss on disposal of assets.
- Net Income Per Common Share
The following table sets forth the computations of basic and diluted net income per common share:
| THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED | THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except share and per share data) | SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 | SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 |
| Numerator: | ||||
| Net income | $2,991 | $2,112 | $4,268 | $18,226 |
| Denominator: | ||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic | 61,027,278 | 60,428,016 | 60,933,443 | 60,275,167 |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted | 62,834,080 | 61,851,127 | 62,798,962 | 62,343,751 |
| Net income per common share - basic | $0.05 | $0.03 | $0.07 | $0.30 |
| Net income per common share - diluted | $0.05 | $0.03 | $0.07 | $0.29 |
| Stock options outstanding not included in diluted net income per common share as their effect is anti-dilutive | 12,552 | 14,584 | 12,552 | 12,552 |
| Restricted stock units outstanding not included in diluted net income per share as their effect is anti-dilutive | 222,055 | 419,863 | 9 | 317,530 |
Diluted net income per common share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average shares outstanding for the theoretical effect of potential common shares that would be issued for stock awards outstanding and unvested as of the respective periods using the treasury method.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.