Tomasso also notes in the release that the retirement has been planned since early 2021. "I have greatly enjoyed my decadeslong journey at First Watch, and it truly has been a privilege to play a role in helping build First Watch into the great company that it is today," Pendery says. "I've spent over 16 years with Chris including the last four with him as CEO and know that he — along with the rest of the incredible executive team — will continue to provide strong leadership and direction for the company going forward into the next great chapter of the First Watch story." The breakfast, brunch and lunch concept went public last year, the first major company to do so in the Sarasota-Bradenton region in 15 years. The company's shares debuted on the Nasdaq on Oct. 1, under the symbol FWRG, for First Watch Restaurant Group. It posted $592.34 million in revenue in 2021, up 75.54% from $337.43 million in 2020.