Louis CarterFounder and Chief Executive Officer, Best Practice Institute · Founder and CEO, Best Practice Institute - Most Loved Workplace® | Organizational Psychologist | Creator of AI Workplace Intelligence and Employer Branding Platform

Louis Carter on How First Watch Turned Culture into Kindness and Became Most Loved on CNBC

21 Dec 2025 · 1 min

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1:23

In this Business Minute segment, host Hillary Lane interviews Chris, a First Watch representative, about the restaurant chain’s distinctive operating model and employee‑first culture. First Watch, a 40‑year‑old full‑service breakfast‑and‑brunch chain with over 600 locations in 32 states, emphasizes fresh‑made food (no heat lamps, deep fryers, or microwaves) and a "no nights ever" policy that ensures staff can return home each evening, promoting work‑life balance. The company’s commitment to kindness toward employees and customers earned it the top spot on the Best Practice Institute’s Most Loved Workplace list for the second consecutive year. Chris also outlines an aggressive growth plan, targeting a 10 % annual increase to reach roughly 2,200 restaurants nationwide. The segment closes with a brief recap of these points.

I'm Hillary Lane, and today we're coming to you from First Watch, the fastest growing full-service restaurant company in America. Chris, tell me a little bit about First Watch and what sets it apart in the crowded restaurant industry.
Been around for over 40 years. We're open from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. We don't have heat lamps, deep fryers, or microwaves in our restaurants. We make everything fresh to order.
Chris, I can't believe it's almost 3 PM and there are no employees here. Tell me about your no nights ever philosophy.
The quality of life that we offer is incredible. We have folks that can be home every night with their families and, and have that work-life balance that everybody talks about and seeks.
And it's their commitment to their employees and customers that's landed First Watch at the top spot of the Most Loved Workplace list by the Best Practice Institute for the second year in a row.
When First Watch started with our two co-founders, I mean, that was just their, their kind of, you know, North Star was just, hey, we'll teach you how to flip eggs and do inventory and do schedules, but really when it comes down to it, we just need to be kind to each other and our customers.
There are more than 600 First Watch restaurants in 32 states. Looking ahead, First Watch plans to grow by an average of 10% per year to 2,200 restaurants nationwide. That was today's Business Minute. We'll see you next time.