First Watch (FWRG) grows sales 17% but posts $2.7M Q1 2026 net loss

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

First Watch Restaurant Group, Inc. reported solid top-line growth but remained slightly unprofitable in the first quarter of 2026. Total revenues rose to $330.9 million, up 17.3% from $282.2 million a year earlier, driven by new restaurant openings and 2.8% same-restaurant sales growth.

System-wide sales reached $367.6 million, while restaurant-level operating profit margin improved to 18.5% from 16.5%, helped by lower food and beverage cost ratios and better labor leverage. However, higher general and administrative expenses, depreciation and interest costs led to a net loss of $2.7 million, or $0.04 per share, compared with a $0.8 million loss in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA increased to $27.8 million with an 8.4% margin. The company ended the quarter with 648 system-wide restaurants, including 572 company-owned locations, and generated $34.5 million of operating cash flow while continuing to invest heavily in new units.

Insights

Restaurant and consumer analyst

Strong revenue and unit growth, but higher overhead keeps results in modest loss.

First Watch delivered healthy expansion in Q1 2026, with total revenues of $330.9 million, up 17.3%. System-wide sales grew to $367.6 million, supported by 16 net new system-wide openings and 2.8% same-restaurant sales growth despite a ‑2.0% traffic decline.

Restaurant-level profitability improved meaningfully: restaurant level operating profit margin rose to 18.5% from 16.5%, helped by menu pricing and 1.6% commodity deflation in key items like eggs and avocados, plus more efficient labor at the store level. This shows the core unit economics are strengthening as the concept scales.

At the corporate level, higher general and administrative spending, including a $4.0 million leadership conference and increased compensation, plus higher depreciation and $4.8 million of interest expense, kept the company at a net loss of $2.7 million. Adjusted EBITDA of $27.8 million and strong operating cash flow of $34.5 million indicate the business is funding an aggressive $150–$160 million 2026 capex plan largely from internal cash and existing credit capacity.

Key Figures

Total revenues: $330.9 million System-wide sales: $367.6 million Net loss: $2.7 million +5 more

8 metrics

Total revenues $330.9 million Thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026

System-wide sales $367.6 million Thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026

Net loss $2.7 million Q1 2026 net result

Restaurant level operating profit margin 18.5% Q1 2026 vs 16.5% in Q1 2025

Adjusted EBITDA $27.8 million Q1 2026, 8.4% of total revenues

Cash from operating activities $34.5 million Thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026

System-wide restaurants 648 locations As of March 29, 2026; 572 company-owned, 76 franchised

Same-restaurant sales growth 2.8% Comparable base in Q1 2026

Key Terms

Adjusted EBITDA, same-restaurant sales growth, restaurant level operating profit margin, system-wide sales, +1 more

5 terms

Adjusted EBITDA financial

"Adjusted EBITDA* increased to $27.8 million in the first quarter of 2026 from $22.8 million in the first quarter of 2025"

Adjusted EBITDA is a way companies measure how much money they make from their core operations, like running a business, by removing certain costs or income that aren’t part of regular business activities. It helps investors see how well a company is doing without distractions from unusual expenses or gains, making it easier to compare companies or track performance over time.

same-restaurant sales growth financial

"Same-restaurant sales growth of 2.8%"

Same-restaurant sales growth measures how much sales changed at outlets that were open during both the current period and a comparable prior period, excluding revenue from newly opened or permanently closed locations. Investors watch it because it isolates underlying demand and operational performance at established sites—like checking whether items on a grocery shelf are selling more or less without counting new shelves—and helps assess profitability, management effectiveness, and the quality of growth.

restaurant level operating profit margin financial

"Restaurant level operating profit margin* increased to 18.5% in the first quarter of 2026 from 16.5% in the first quarter of 2025"

Restaurant level operating profit margin measures how much profit a single restaurant keeps from its sales after paying all day-to-day operating costs like food, labor, rent and utilities, but before corporate overhead, franchise fees or interest and taxes. Investors use it like a per-store profitability scorecard — similar to judging how well one shop runs before head office costs — to compare unit economics, spot efficiency improvements, and predict how new locations will contribute to overall earnings.

system-wide sales financial

"System-wide sales increased 13.8% to $367.6 million in the first quarter of 2026 from $323.0 million in the first quarter of 2025"

Total revenue generated by every outlet in a company’s network, including both company-owned and franchised locations, measured over a given period. Investors watch system-wide sales as a broad indicator of brand demand and growth—like checking the overall temperature of a chain rather than one store—because rising totals suggest the business model and customer base are expanding even if ownership mixes vary.

interest rate swaps financial

"On May 17, 2024, the Company entered into two additional variable-to-fixed interest rate swaps."

A contract between two parties to exchange streams of interest payments, typically swapping a fixed-rate payment for a floating-rate payment or vice versa. Think of it like two neighbors agreeing to trade the type of mortgage payments they make to reduce uncertainty or take advantage of expected rate moves; investors care because swaps change a company’s borrowing costs and risk exposure, which can materially affect cash flow, creditworthiness, and valuation.

10-Q Quarterly Reports: What Changes Quarter to Quarter →

0001789940falseDecember 272026Q1http://www.firstwatch.com/20260329#PortionOfLongTermDebtCurrenthttp://www.firstwatch.com/20260329#PortionOfLongTermDebtCurrenthttp://fasb.org/us-gaap/2025#LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationshttp://fasb.org/us-gaap/2025#LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations333333oneonexbrli:sharesiso4217:USDiso4217:USDxbrli:sharesfwrg:statefwrg:restaurantxbrli:purefwrg:derivativefwrg:segment00017899402025-12-292026-03-2900017899402026-05-0100017899402026-03-2900017899402025-12-280001789940us-gaap:FranchisorOwnedOutletMember2025-12-292026-03-290001789940us-gaap:FranchisorOwnedOutletMember2024-12-302025-03-300001789940us-gaap:FranchiseMember2025-12-292026-03-290001789940us-gaap:FranchiseMember2024-12-302025-03-3000017899402024-12-302025-03-300001789940us-gaap:CommonStockMember2024-12-290001789940us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember2024-12-290001789940us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember2024-12-290001789940us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember2024-12-2900017899402024-12-290001789940us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember2024-12-302025-03-300001789940us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember2024-12-302025-03-300001789940us-gaap:CommonStockMember2024-12-302025-03-300001789940us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember2024-12-302025-03-300001789940us-gaap:CommonStockMember2025-03-300001789940us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember2025-03-300001789940us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember2025-03-300001789940us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember2025-03-3000017899402025-03-300001789940us-gaap:CommonStockMember2025-12-280001789940us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember2025-12-280001789940us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember2025-12-280001789940us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember2025-12-280001789940us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember2025-12-292026-03-290001789940us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember2025-12-292026-03-290001789940us-gaap:CommonStockMember2025-12-292026-03-290001789940us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember2025-12-292026-03-290001789940us-gaap:CommonStockMember2026-03-290001789940us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember2026-03-290001789940us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember2026-03-290001789940us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember2026-03-290001789940us-gaap:EntityOperatedUnitsMember2026-03-290001789940us-gaap:FranchisedUnitsMember2026-03-290001789940fwrg:InRestaurantDiningSalesMember2025-12-292026-03-290001789940fwrg:InRestaurantDiningSalesMember2024-12-302025-03-300001789940fwrg:ThirdPartyDeliverySalesMember2025-12-292026-03-290001789940fwrg:ThirdPartyDeliverySalesMember2024-12-302025-03-300001789940fwrg:TakeOutSalesMember2025-12-292026-03-290001789940fwrg:TakeOutSalesMember2024-12-302025-03-300001789940fwrg:RoyaltyAndSystemFundContributionsMember2025-12-292026-03-290001789940fwrg:RoyaltyAndSystemFundContributionsMember2024-12-302025-03-300001789940fwrg:InitialFeesMember2025-12-292026-03-290001789940fwrg:InitialFeesMember2024-12-302025-03-300001789940fwrg:TermFacilityMemberfwrg:NewFacilitiesMemberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMember2026-03-290001789940fwrg:TermFacilityMemberfwrg:NewFacilitiesMemberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMember2025-12-280001789940us-gaap:RevolvingCreditFacilityMemberfwrg:NewFacilitiesMemberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMember2026-03-290001789940us-gaap:RevolvingCreditFacilityMemberfwrg:NewFacilitiesMemberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMember2025-12-280001789940fwrg:FinancingObligationsMemberfwrg:OtherDebtMember2026-03-290001789940fwrg:FinancingObligationsMemberfwrg:OtherDebtMember2025-12-280001789940fwrg:TermFacilityMemberfwrg:NewFacilitiesMemberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMember2024-01-050001789940fwrg:NewRevolvingCreditFacilityMemberfwrg:NewFacilitiesMemberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMember2024-01-050001789940fwrg:AdjustedLeverageRateMemberfwrg:NewFacilitiesMembersrt:MinimumMember2026-03-282026-03-280001789940fwrg:AdjustedLeverageRateMemberfwrg:NewFacilitiesMembersrt:MaximumMember2026-03-282026-03-280001789940fwrg:NewFacilitiesMemberus-gaap:SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrMember2026-03-282026-03-280001789940us-gaap:SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrMemberfwrg:NewFacilitiesMembersrt:MinimumMember2026-03-282026-03-280001789940us-gaap:SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrMemberfwrg:NewFacilitiesMembersrt:MaximumMember2026-03-282026-03-280001789940fwrg:TermFacilityMemberfwrg:NewFacilitiesMembersrt:MinimumMember2025-12-292026-03-290001789940fwrg:TermFacilityMemberfwrg:NewFacilitiesMembersrt:MaximumMember2025-12-292026-03-290001789940fwrg:TermFacilityMemberus-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Memberfwrg:NewFacilitiesMemberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMember2026-03-290001789940fwrg:TermFacilityMemberus-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Memberfwrg:NewFacilitiesMemberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMember2025-12-280001789940us-gaap:RevolvingCreditFacilityMemberus-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Memberfwrg:NewFacilitiesMemberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMember2026-03-290001789940us-gaap:RevolvingCreditFacilityMemberus-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Memberfwrg:NewFacilitiesMemberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMember2025-12-280001789940us-gaap:InterestRateSwapMember2023-06-230001789940us-gaap:InterestRateSwapMember2024-05-170001789940us-gaap:InterestRateSwapMember2025-12-292026-03-2900017899402024-12-302025-12-280001789940us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember2025-12-292026-03-290001789940us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMemberus-gaap:ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember2025-12-292026-03-290001789940us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMemberus-gaap:ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember2025-12-292026-03-290001789940us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMemberus-gaap:ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember2025-12-292026-03-290001789940us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMemberfwrg:ShareBasedPaymentArrangementTrancheFourMember2025-12-292026-03-290001789940us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMemberfwrg:ShareBasedPaymentArrangementTranche4.1Member2025-12-292026-03-290001789940us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMemberfwrg:ShareBasedPaymentArrangementTranche4.2Member2025-12-292026-03-290001789940us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMemberfwrg:ShareBasedPaymentArrangementTranche4.3Member2025-12-292026-03-290001789940us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember2025-12-280001789940us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember2026-03-2900017899402026-03-2700017899402025-12-260001789940fwrg:ShareBasedPaymentArrangementTranche1.1Member2025-12-292026-03-290001789940fwrg:ShareBasedPaymentArrangementTranche1.2Member2025-12-292026-03-290001789940fwrg:ShareBasedPaymentArrangementTranche1.3Member2025-12-292026-03-290001789940fwrg:ReportableSegmentMember2025-12-292026-03-290001789940fwrg:ReportableSegmentMember2024-12-302025-03-300001789940us-gaap:EmployeeStockOptionMember2025-12-292026-03-290001789940us-gaap:EmployeeStockOptionMember2024-12-302025-03-300001789940us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember2025-12-292026-03-290001789940us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember2024-12-302025-03-30

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 29, 2026

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ______ to _____

Commission file number 001-40866

First Watch Restaurant Group, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware						82-4271369
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)						(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
			8725 Pendery Place, Suite 201, Bradenton, FL 34201
			(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(941) 907-9800

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class			Trading Symbol(s)			Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value			FWRG			The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (Nasdaq Global Select Market)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports); and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer			x			Accelerated filer			☐
Non-accelerated filer			☐			Smaller reporting company			☐
						Emerging growth company			☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

The registrant had outstanding 61,644,885 shares of common stock as of May 1, 2026.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

						Page
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements						3
Part I - Financial Information
Item 1.			Financial Statements (Unaudited)			5
Item 2.			Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			19
Item 3.			Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk			30
Item 4.			Controls and Procedures			30
Part II - Other Information
Item 1.			Legal Proceedings			32
Item 1A.			Risk Factors			32
Item 2.			Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds			32
Item 3.			Defaults Upon Senior Securities			32
Item 4.			Mine Safety Disclosures			32
Item 5.			Other Information			32
Item 6.			Exhibits			33
Signatures						34

2

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Form 10-Q”) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from the statements made herein. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “future,” “intend,” “outlook,” “potential,” “project,” “projection,” “plan,” “seek,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “should,” “can,” “can have,” “likely,” the negatives thereof and other similar expressions. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make regarding the outlook for our future business and financial performance and statements discussing our current expectations and projections relating to our financial position, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business, such as those contained in the Part I. Item 2. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, by their nature, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include:

•our vulnerability to changes in consumer preferences and economic conditions such as inflation and recession;

•our inability to successfully open new restaurants or establish new markets;

•our inability to effectively manage our growth;

•potential negative impacts on sales at our and our franchisees’ restaurants as a result of our opening new restaurants in existing markets;

•a decline in visitors to any of the retail centers, lifestyle centers, or entertainment centers where our restaurants are located;

•lower than expected same-restaurant sales growth;

•unsuccessful marketing programs and limited time new offerings;

•changes in the cost of food;

•unprofitability or closure of new restaurants or lower than previously experienced performance in existing restaurants;

•our inability to compete effectively for customers;

•our vulnerability to food safety and food-borne illness concerns;

•unsuccessful financial performance of our franchisees;

•our limited control over our franchisees’ operations;

•our inability to maintain good relationships with our franchisees and conflicts of interest with our franchisees;

•the geographic concentration of our system-wide restaurant base in the southeast portion of the United States;

•damage to our reputation and negative publicity;

•our inability or failure to recognize, respond to and effectively manage the accelerated impact of social media and artificial intelligence;

•our limited number of suppliers and distributors for several of our frequently used ingredients and shortages or disruptions in the supply or delivery of such ingredients;

•information technology system failures or breaches of our network security;

•our failure to comply with federal and state laws and regulations relating to privacy, data protection, advertising and consumer protection, or the expansion of current or the enactment of new laws or regulations relating to privacy, data protection, advertising and consumer protection;

•our potential liability with our gift cards under the property laws of some states;

•our failure to enforce and maintain our trademarks and protect our other intellectual property;

•litigation with respect to intellectual property assets;

•our dependence on our executive officers and certain other key employees;

•our inability to identify, hire, train and retain qualified individuals for our workforce;

•our failure to obtain or to properly verify the employment eligibility of our employees;

•our failure to maintain our corporate culture as we grow;

•unionization activities among our employees;

•employment and labor law proceedings;

•labor shortages or increased labor costs or health care costs;

•risks associated with leasing property subject to long-term and non-cancelable leases;

•risks related to our sale of alcoholic beverages;

3

•costly and complex compliance with federal, state and local laws, including trade and tax policies;

•changes in accounting principles applicable to us;

•our vulnerability to natural disasters, unusual weather conditions, pandemic outbreaks, political events, war and terrorism;

•our inability to secure additional capital to support business growth;

•our level of indebtedness;

•failure to comply with covenants under our credit facility; and

•uncertainty regarding the Russia and Ukraine war, war and unrest in the Middle East and the related impact on macroeconomic conditions, including inflation, as a result of such conflicts or other related events.

See Part I. Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the year ended December 28, 2025 (“2025 Form 10-K”) and Part II. Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a further description of these and other factors. For the reasons described above, we caution you against relying on any forward-looking statements, which should also be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Any forward-looking statement made by us in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q speaks only as of the date hereof and is expressly qualified in its entirety by these cautionary statements. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

4

Table of Contents

Part I - Financial Information

Item 1.    Financial Statements (Unaudited)

FIRST WATCH RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

(Unaudited)

			MARCH 29, 2026						DECEMBER 28, 2025
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents			$	23,565					$	21,246
Accounts receivable			6,031						6,859
Inventory			7,137						7,174
Prepaid expenses			12,370						7,945
Deposits and other current assets			2,463						5,856
Total current assets			51,566						49,080
Goodwill			420,208						420,208
Intangible assets, net			172,576						174,908
Operating lease right-of-use assets			631,458						614,548
Property, fixtures and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $303,086 and $285,706, respectively			493,246						478,451
Other long-term assets			5,001						4,834
Total assets			$	1,774,055					$	1,742,029
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable			$	9,766					$	8,701
Accrued liabilities			43,584						38,496
Accrued compensation			29,943						24,281
Deferred revenues			4,314						6,778
Current portion of operating lease liabilities			76,004						75,034
Current portion of long-term debt			13,359						13,309
Interest rate swap liabilities, current			520						900
Total current liabilities			177,490						167,499
Operating lease liabilities			672,562						651,254
Long-term debt, net			268,744						269,071
Deferred income taxes			20,782						21,972
Derivative liabilities			201						557
Other long-term liabilities			6,619						5,397
Total liabilities			1,146,398						1,115,750
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
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; 61,625,155 and 61,131,978 shares issued and outstanding at March 29, 2026 and December 28, 2025, respectively			616						611
Additional paid-in capital			664,657						661,153
Accumulated deficit			(37,075)						(34,390)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(541)						(1,095)
Total equity			627,657						626,279
Total liabilities and equity			$	1,774,055					$	1,742,029

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5

Table of Contents

FIRST WATCH RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)

(Unaudited)

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025
Revenues
Restaurant sales			$	328,148					$	279,591
Franchise revenues			2,811						2,649
Total revenues			330,959						282,240
Operating costs and expenses
Restaurant operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below):
Food and beverage costs			74,310						66,647
Labor and other related expenses			110,609						96,754
Other restaurant operating expenses			51,904						44,259
Occupancy expenses			27,410						23,149
Pre-opening expenses			3,057						2,660
General and administrative expenses			39,945						30,219
Depreciation and amortization			21,396						16,557
Impairments and loss on disposal of assets			153						9
Transaction and restructuring expenses, net			1,176						873
Total operating costs and expenses			329,960						281,127
Income from operations			999						1,113
Interest expense			(4,778)						(3,334)
Other income, net			345						684
Loss before income taxes			(3,434)						(1,537)
Income tax benefit			749						708
Net loss			$	(2,685)					$	(829)
Net loss			$	(2,685)					$	(829)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives			736						(883)
Income tax related to other comprehensive income (loss)			(182)						220
Comprehensive loss			$	(2,131)					$	(1,492)
Net loss per common share - basic			$	(0.04)					$	(0.01)
Net loss per common share - diluted			$	(0.04)					$	(0.01)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic			61,243,494						60,767,401
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted			61,243,494						60,767,401

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

6

Table of Contents

FIRST WATCH RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)

(Unaudited)

						Common Stock												Additional Paid-in Capital						Accumulated Deficit						Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss						Total Equity
						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

						Common Stock												Additional Paid-in Capital						Accumulated Deficit						Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss						Total Equity
						Shares						Amount
Balance at December 28, 2025						61,131,978						$	611					$	661,153					$	(34,390)					$	(1,095)					$	626,279
Net loss						—						—						—						(2,685)						—						(2,685)
Stock-based compensation						—						—						3,420						—						—						3,420
Common stock issued under stock-based compensation plans, net						493,177						5						84						—						—						89
Other comprehensive income, net of tax						—						—						—						—						554						554
Balance at March 29, 2026						61,625,155						$	616					$	664,657					$	(37,075)					$	(541)					$	627,657

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

7

Table of Contents

FIRST WATCH RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(IN THOUSANDS)

(Unaudited)

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss			$	(2,685)					$	(829)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			21,396						16,557
Stock-based compensation, net of amounts capitalized			3,352						2,259
Non-cash operating lease costs			8,919						7,679
Deferred income taxes			(1,372)						(1,197)
Amortization of debt discount and deferred issuance costs			170						154
Impairments and loss on disposal of assets			153						9
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of business combinations:
Accounts receivable			828						1,275
Inventory			37						(83)
Prepaid expenses			(4,425)						(3,675)
Deposits and other assets, current and long-term			2,960						88
Accounts payable			1,065						732
Accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities			4,387						1,996
Accrued compensation			5,662						1,853
Deferred revenues, current and long-term			(2,440)						(2,258)
Operating lease liabilities			(3,551)						(4,422)
Net cash provided by operating activities			34,456						20,138
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures			(29,346)						(36,544)
Acquisitions			(171)						(10)
Purchase of intangible assets			(15)						(51)
Net cash used in investing activities			(29,532)						(36,605)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings on revolving credit facility			174,500						6,000
Repayments of borrowings on revolving credit facility			(174,000)						(3,000)
Repayments of long-term debt, including finance lease liabilities			(3,194)						(1,371)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, net of employee taxes paid			89						133
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities			(2,605)						1,762
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			2,319						(14,705)
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period			21,246						33,312
End of period			$	23,565					$	18,607

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

8

Table of Contents

FIRST WATCH RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - continued

(IN THOUSANDS)

(Unaudited)

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025
Supplemental cash flow information
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized			$	4,603					$	3,072
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds			$	—					$	101
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities
Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities			$	24,837					$	26,821
Leased assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities			$	2,455					$	922
Remeasurements and terminations of operating lease assets and lease liabilities			$	992					$	1,732
Remeasurements and terminations of finance lease assets and lease liabilities			$	(16)					$	(97)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities from acquisition of property, fixtures and equipment			$	2,070					$	(550)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

9

Table of Contents

FIRST WATCH RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1.    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 restaurants in 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 March 29, 2026, the Company operated 572 company-owned restaurants and had 76 franchise-owned restaurants.

2.    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 March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025 were 13-week periods. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements (“these financial statements”) include only the information and notes required for interim financial statements by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and 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 28, 2025 (“2025 Form 10‑K”).

These financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as those presented in the 2025 Form 10-K and include all adjustments necessary for fair presentation of the quarterly periods presented. The quarterly results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the expected results for other quarters or the entire fiscal year. Preparation of financial statements requires Management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting periods. Actual results could differ materially from the estimates.

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, deposits and other current assets, and other current 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 consolidated balance sheets 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 November 2024, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“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

10

Table of Contents

FIRST WATCH RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Unaudited)

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.

In November 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-09, Derivatives and Hedging: Hedge Accounting Improvements, which includes amendments to more closely align hedge accounting with the economics of the Company’s risk management activities. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard.

In December 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-11, Interim Reporting: Narrow-Scope Improvements, which makes targeted, narrow scope improvements to interim reporting to clarify application and improve consistency in practice. The amendments in this update are effective for interim reporting periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard.

Recent accounting guidance not discussed herein is not applicable or did not have, or is not expected to have, a material impact to the Company.

3.    Revenues

Revenues recognized, disaggregated by type, were as follows:

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025
Restaurant sales:
In-restaurant dining sales			$	265,722					$	226,727
Third-party delivery sales			39,692						32,005
Take-out sales			22,734						20,859
Total restaurant sales			328,148						279,591
Franchise revenues:
Royalty and system fund contributions			2,755						2,587
Initial fees			56						62
Total franchise revenues			2,811						2,649
Total revenues			$	330,959					$	282,240

The following tables include a detail of liabilities from contracts with customers:

(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						DECEMBER 28, 2025
Deferred revenues:
Deferred gift card revenue			$	4,092					$	6,548
Deferred franchise fee revenue - current			222						230
Total current deferred revenues			$	4,314					$	6,778
Other long-term liabilities:
Deferred franchise fee revenue - non-current			$	1,250					$	1,226

11

Table of Contents

FIRST WATCH RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Unaudited)

Changes in deferred gift card contract liabilities were as follows:

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025
Deferred gift card revenue:
Balance, beginning of period			$	6,548					$	5,385
Gift card sales			1,846						1,548
Gift card redemptions			(3,837)						(3,374)
Gift card breakage			(465)						(405)
Balance, end of period			$	4,092					$	3,154

Changes in deferred franchise fee contract liabilities were as follows:

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025
Deferred franchise fee revenue:
Balance, beginning of period			$	1,456					$	1,929
Cash received			72						35
Franchise revenues recognized			(56)						(62)
Balance, end of period			$	1,472					$	1,902

4.    Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consisted of the following:

(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						DECEMBER 28, 2025
Receivables from third-party delivery providers			$	2,685					$	2,068
Receivables from vendors			1,413						1,337
Receivables from franchisees			1,200						907
Receivables related to gift card sales			430						2,091
Other receivables			303						456
Total accounts receivable			$	6,031					$	6,859

5.    Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consisted of the following:

(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						DECEMBER 28, 2025
Construction liabilities			$	13,658					$	11,588
Sales tax			9,866						8,806
Insurance liabilities			4,350						4,047
Utilities			2,874						2,892
Credit card fees			2,465						2,110
Property tax			1,852						1,453
Contingent rent			762						1,239
Other			7,757						6,361
Total accrued liabilities			$	43,584					$	38,496

12

Table of Contents

FIRST WATCH RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Unaudited)

6.    Debt

Long-term debt, net consisted of the following:

			MARCH 29, 2026												DECEMBER 28, 2025
(in thousands)			Balance						Interest Rate						Balance						Interest Rate
Term Facilities			$	208,813					6.56%						$	211,625					6.54%
Revolving Credit Facility			56,500						7.02%						56,000						7.17%
Finance lease liabilities			14,843												12,906
Financing obligation			3,050												3,050
Less: Unamortized debt discount and deferred issuance costs			(1,103)												(1,201)
Total debt, net			282,103												282,380
Less: Current portion of long-term debt			(13,359)												(13,309)
Long-term debt, net			$	268,744											$	269,071

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, 2024, 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, collectively with the Term Facilities, the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility matures on January 5, 2029.

As of March 29, 2026, 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) the secured overnight financing rate (“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. Additionally, an unused commitment fee of between 37.5 and 50 basis points is paid on the undrawn commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility, also depending on the Total Rent Adjusted Net Leverage Ratio. Refer to Note 7, 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:

			MARCH 29, 2026												DECEMBER 28, 2025
(in thousands)			Carrying Value						Fair Value						Carrying Value						Fair Value
Term Facilities			$	208,813					$	207,051					$	211,625					$	210,860
Revolving Credit Facility			$	56,500					$	55,957					$	56,000					$	55,761

Debt Covenants

The Credit Facility is guaranteed by all of FWR’s wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries, subject to customary exceptions, 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 intangible assets, in each case, subject to customary exceptions.

Under the Credit Agreement, FWR (and in certain circumstances, Holdings) and its restricted subsidiaries are subject to customary 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 the covenants under the Credit Agreement as of March 29, 2026.

7.    Interest Rate Swaps

Interest rate swaps are utilized to hedge a portion of the cash flows of the Company’s variable rate debt.

13

Table of Contents

FIRST WATCH RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Unaudited)

On June 23, 2023, the Company entered into two 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 these 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, the Company entered into two 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 these 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 used observable 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 Company has determined that the impact of the credit valuation adjustments was not significant to the overall valuation. As a result, the derivatives were classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Amounts reported in Other comprehensive income (loss) related to the interest rate swaps will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate debt. During the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026, a total of $0.2 million was reclassified from Other comprehensive income (loss) as an increase to interest expense. Over the next 12 months, Management estimates that $0.6 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.

8.    Leases

The following table includes detail of lease assets and liabilities:

(in thousands)			Consolidated Balance Sheet Classification						MARCH 29, 2026						DECEMBER 28, 2025
Finance lease assets - current			Deposits and other current assets						$	—					$	120
Operating lease right-of-use assets			Operating lease right-of-use assets						631,458						614,548
Finance lease assets			Property, fixtures and equipment, net						12,675						10,730
Total lease assets									$	644,133					$	625,398
Operating lease liabilities - current(1)			Current portion of operating lease liabilities						$	76,004					$	75,034
Operating lease liabilities - non-current			Operating lease liabilities						672,562						651,254
Finance lease liabilities - current(1)			Current portion of long-term debt						2,109						2,059
Finance lease liabilities - non-current			Long-term debt, net						12,734						10,847
Total lease liabilities									$	763,409					$	739,194

_____________

(1) Excludes all variable lease expense.

14

Table of Contents

FIRST WATCH RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Unaudited)

The components of lease expense were as follows:

(in thousands)			Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss Classification						THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
									MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025
Operating lease expense			Other restaurant operating expenses Occupancy expenses Pre-opening expenses General and administrative expenses						$	22,975					$	19,630
Variable lease expense			Food and beverage costs Occupancy expenses General and administrative expenses						5,966						5,234
Finance lease expense:
Amortization of leased assets			Depreciation and amortization						493						193
Interest on lease liabilities			Interest expense						210						44
Total lease expense (1)									$	29,644					$	25,101

_____________

(1) Includes contingent rent expense of $0.5 million during the thirteen week periods ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025.

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:

(in thousands)			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows - operating leases			$	17,607					$	16,373
Operating cash flows - finance leases			$	210					$	44
Financing cash flows - finance leases			$	382					$	136

Supplemental information related to leases was as follows:

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years)
Operating leases			12.6						13.1
Finance leases			11.8						13.1
Weighted-average discount rate (1)
Operating leases			7.7		%				7.7		%
Finance leases			6.5		%				6.0		%

____________

(1) Based on the Company’s incremental borrowing rate.

15

Table of Contents

FIRST WATCH RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Unaudited)

9.     Equity and Stock-Based Compensation

Stock option awards

There were no stock option awards granted during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026. A summary of stock option activity during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 was as follows:

			NUMBER OF OPTIONS						WEIGHTED AVERAGE EXERCISE PRICE PER SHARE						AGGREGATE INTRINSIC VALUE (in thousands)						WEIGHTED AVERAGE REMAINING CONTRACTUAL LIFE (in years)
Outstanding, December 28, 2025			3,577,374						$	10.15					$	20,614					3.2
Exercised			(9,051)						$	9.77
Outstanding, March 29, 2026			3,568,323						$	10.16					$	3,993					2.8
Exercisable, March 29, 2026			3,568,323						$	10.16					$	3,993					2.8

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 the Nasdaq Global Select Market on the last trading day of the period.

A summary of the non-vested stock option activity during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 is as follows:

			NUMBER OF OPTIONS						WEIGHTED AVERAGE GRANT DATE FAIR VALUE PER SHARE
Nonvested, December 28, 2025			3,946						$	5.22
Vested			(3,946)						$	5.22
Nonvested, March 29, 2026			—						$	—

Restricted stock units

During the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026, a total of 1,005,581 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) were granted. Of these RSUs, 896,026 will vest ratably over a period of three years, with one-third vesting on each anniversary of the grant date; 9,302 will vest in full one year from the grant date; and 94,636 will vest in full three years from the grant date. Of the remaining 5,617 RSUs, 25% of such RSUs will vest one year from the grant date, 25% will vest two years from the grant date and 50% will vest three years from the grant date.

A summary of the Company’s RSU activity during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 is as follows:

			RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS						WEIGHTED AVERAGE GRANT DATE FAIR VALUE PER SHARE						AGGREGATE INTRINSIC VALUE (in thousands)
Outstanding, December 28, 2025			2,010,917						$	17.60					$	31,994
Granted			1,005,581						$	12.48
Forfeited			(79,553)						$	16.09
Vested			(484,126)						$	18.61
Outstanding, March 29, 2026			2,452,819						$	15.35					$	25,289

The aggregate intrinsic value is based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on Nasdaq of $10.31 and $15.91 on March 27, 2026 and December 26, 2025, the last trading days of the periods, respectively.

Stock-based compensation expense, net of amounts capitalized, was $3.4 million and $2.3 million during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025, respectively. Capitalized stock-based compensation included in property, fixtures and equipment totaled $0.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026.

16

Table of Contents

FIRST WATCH RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Unaudited)

Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense

The following represents unrecognized stock-based compensation expense and the remaining weighted average vesting period as of March 29, 2026:

			UNRECOGNIZED STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE (in thousands)						REMAINING WEIGHTED AVERAGE RECOGNITION PERIOD (in years)
Restricted stock units			$	33,737					2.8

As of March 29, 2026, all stock options were fully vested and there were no unvested stock options outstanding.

10.    Income Taxes

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025
Loss before income taxes			$	(3,434)					$	(1,537)
Income tax benefit			$	749					$	708
Effective income tax rate			21.8		%				46.1		%

Management accounts for income taxes in interim periods using an estimated annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items recognized during the period. For the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 the Company recorded an income tax benefit. The income tax benefit reflects the application of the estimated annual effective tax rate to the Company’s loss before income taxes for the period, partially offset by discrete tax items, which include the impact of executive stock-based

compensation. Discrete items recorded during the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2025 were immaterial.

The effective income tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 differed from the prior year period primarily due to the changes in loss before income taxes, the benefit of federal tax credits for FICA taxes paid on certain employee tips, and the impact of executive compensation.

Valuation allowance

Management routinely assess the realizability of deferred tax assets, and may record a valuation allowance if, based on all available positive and negative evidence, the determination is reached that some portion of the deferred tax assets may not be realized prior to expiration. If we determine that the Company may be able to realize the deferred tax assets in the future, we would make an adjustment to the deferred tax assets valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes during the period in which the determination was made. As of the period ended March 29, 2026 based upon all available evidence, Management has maintained a valuation allowance against a portion of the deferred tax assets.

As the Company’s future taxable earnings increase and the 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.

11.    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 March 29, 2026. In the event any litigation losses become probable and estimable, the Company will recognize anticipated losses.

12.    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 (loss) 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.

17

Table of Contents

FIRST WATCH RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Unaudited)

Revenue is derived from sales of food and beverage, net of discounts, by our 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 as total assets. The measure of capital expenditures for the reporting segment is reported on the consolidated statements of cash flows as total capital expenditures.

The following table details consolidated net loss for the segment for the periods indicated:

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025
Total revenues			$	330,959					$	282,240
Less:
Food and beverage costs			74,310						66,647
Labor and other related expenses			110,609						96,754
Other restaurant operating expenses			51,904						44,259
Occupancy expenses			27,410						23,149
Pre-opening expenses			3,057						2,660
Stock-based compensation, net of amounts capitalized			3,352						2,259
General and administrative expenses (1)			36,593						27,960
Depreciation and amortization			21,396						16,557
Other segment items (2)			1,329						882
Interest expense			4,778						3,334
Other income, net			(345)						(684)
Income tax benefit			(749)						(708)
Net loss			$	(2,685)					$	(829)

(1) General and administrative expenses excludes stock-based compensation, net of amounts capitalized, which is presented separately.

(2) Other segment items included in segment net loss include transaction and restructuring expenses, net and impairments and loss on disposal of assets.

13.    Net Loss Per Common Share

The following table sets forth the computations of basic and diluted net loss per common share:

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands, except share and per share data)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025
Numerator:
Net loss			$	(2,685)					$	(829)
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic			61,243,494						60,767,401
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted			61,243,494						60,767,401
Net loss per common share - basic			$	(0.04)					$	(0.01)
Net loss per common share - diluted			$	(0.04)					$	(0.01)
Stock options outstanding not included in diluted net loss per common share as their effect is anti-dilutive			12,552						12,552
Restricted stock units outstanding not included in diluted net loss per share as their effect is anti-dilutive			543,535						—

Diluted net loss 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.

18

Table of Contents

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Cautionary Statement

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with these consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q and our audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in our 2025 Form 10-K. As discussed in the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” the following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may materially differ from those discussed in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to, those identified in our 2025 Form 10-K, including under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and in “Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Form 10-Q.

Overview

First Watch is an award-winning Daytime Dining concept serving made-to-order breakfast, brunch and lunch using fresh ingredients. Our common stock trades on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “FWRG”. A recipient of many local “Best Breakfast” and “Best Brunch” accolades, First Watch’s award-winning chef-driven menu includes elevated executions of classic favorites for breakfast, brunch and lunch. For four consecutive years, First Watch has been named a Top 100 Most Loved Workplace® by the Best Practice Institute, and in 2025, was named the #1 Most Loved Workplace for the second year in a row, as featured in The Wall Street Journal.

We operate and franchise restaurants in 32 states under the “First Watch” trade name and as of March 29, 2026, the Company had 572 company-owned restaurants and 76 franchise-owned restaurants.

Recent Developments

Financial highlights for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 (“first quarter of 2026”) as compared, unless otherwise indicated below, to the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2025 (“first quarter of 2025”) reflect the continued momentum of our operating performance and include the following:

•Opened 16 system-wide restaurants in 11 states, with 1 planned closure, resulting in a total of 648 system-wide restaurants (572 company-owned and 76 franchise-owned) across 32 states as of March 29, 2026

•Total revenues increased 17.3% to $331.0 million in the first quarter of 2026 from $282.2 million in the first quarter of 2025

•System-wide sales increased 13.8% to $367.6 million in the first quarter of 2026 from $323.0 million in the first quarter of 2025

•Same-restaurant sales growth of 2.8%

•Same-restaurant traffic growth of negative 2.0%

•Income from operations margin decreased to 0.3% during the first quarter of 2026 from 0.4% in the first quarter of 2025

•Restaurant level operating profit margin* increased to 18.5% in the first quarter of 2026 from 16.5% in the first quarter of 2025

•Net loss increased to $(2.7) million, or $(0.04) per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2026 from net loss of $(0.8) million, or $(0.01) per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2025

•Adjusted EBITDA* increased to $27.8 million in the first quarter of 2026 from $22.8 million in the first quarter of 2025

___________________

* See Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliations section below.

19

Table of Contents

Business Trends

In the first quarter of 2026, we experienced same-restaurant sales growth of 2.8% and same-restaurant traffic growth of negative 2.0%. We expect annual same-restaurant sales growth to be between 1% to 3%.

We experienced commodity deflation of 1.6% in the first quarter of 2026, primarily due to lower costs of eggs, avocados, and bacon, partially offset by an increase in the cost of coffee. We expect our full year commodity inflation to be approximately 1% to 3%.

Restaurant-level wage inflation during the first quarter of 2026 was 3.7% and full year inflation is expected to be approximately 3% to 5%.

Key Performance Indicators

Throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” we discuss the following key operating metrics that we believe will drive our financial results and long-term growth model. We believe these metrics are useful to investors because management uses these metrics to evaluate performance and assess the growth of our business as well as the effectiveness of our marketing and operational strategies.

New Restaurant Openings (“NROs”): the number of new company-owned First Watch restaurants commencing operations during the period. Management reviews the number of new restaurants to assess new restaurant growth and company-owned restaurant sales.

Franchise-owned New Restaurant Openings (“Franchise-owned NROs”): the number of new franchise-owned First Watch restaurants commencing operations during the period.

Same-Restaurant Sales Growth: the percentage change in year-over-year restaurant sales (excluding gift card breakage) for the comparable restaurant base, which we define as the number of company-owned First Watch branded restaurants open for 18 months or longer as of the beginning of the fiscal year (“Comparable Restaurant Base”). For the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025, there were 454 restaurants and 383 restaurants, respectively, in our Comparable Restaurant Base. Measuring our same-restaurant sales growth allows management to evaluate the performance of our existing restaurant base. We believe this measure is useful for investors to provide a consistent comparison of restaurant sales results and trends across periods within our core, established restaurant base, unaffected by results of store openings, closings, and other transitional changes.

Same-Restaurant Traffic Growth: the percentage change in year-over-year traffic counts using the Comparable Restaurant Base. Measuring our same-restaurant traffic growth allows Management to evaluate the performance of our existing restaurant base. We believe this measure is useful for investors because same-restaurant traffic provides an indicator as to the development of our brand and the effectiveness of our marketing strategy.

System-wide restaurants: the total number of restaurants, including all company-owned and franchise-owned restaurants.

System-wide sales: consists of restaurant sales from our company-owned restaurants and franchise-owned restaurants. We do not recognize the restaurant sales from our franchise-owned restaurants as revenue.

20

Table of Contents

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement the consolidated financial statements, which are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), we use the following non-GAAP measures, which present operating results on an adjusted basis: (i) Adjusted EBITDA, (ii) Adjusted EBITDA margin, (iii) Restaurant level operating profit and (iv) Restaurant level operating profit margin. Our presentation of these non-GAAP measures includes isolating the effects of some items that are either nonrecurring in nature or have no meaningful correlation to our ongoing core operating performance. These supplemental measures of performance are not required by or presented in accordance with GAAP. Management believes these non-GAAP measures provide investors with additional visibility into our operations, facilitate analysis and comparisons of our ongoing business operations because they exclude items that may not be indicative of our ongoing operating performance, help to identify operational trends and allow for greater transparency with respect to metrics used by Management in our financial and operational decision making. Our non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and have important limitations as analytical tools. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP as they may not provide a complete understanding of our performance. These non-GAAP measures should be reviewed in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.

We use Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin (i) as factors in evaluating management’s performance when determining incentive compensation, (ii) to evaluate our operating results and the effectiveness of our business strategies and (iii) internally as benchmarks to compare our performance to that of our competitors.

We use Restaurant level operating profit and Restaurant level operating profit margin (i) to evaluate the performance and profitability of operating restaurants, individually and in the aggregate, and (ii) to make decisions regarding future spending and other operational decisions.

Adjusted EBITDA: represents Net income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, income taxes, and items that we do not consider in our evaluation of ongoing core operating performance as identified in the reconciliation of Net loss, the most directly comparable measure in accordance with GAAP, to Adjusted EBITDA, included in the section Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliations below.

Adjusted EBITDA Margin: represents Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total revenues. See Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliations below for a reconciliation to Net loss margin, the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Restaurant Level Operating Profit: represents restaurant sales, less restaurant operating expenses, which include food and beverage costs, labor and other related expenses, other restaurant operating expenses, pre-opening expenses and occupancy expenses. Restaurant level operating profit excludes corporate-level expenses and other items that we do not consider in the evaluation of the ongoing core operating performance of our restaurants as identified in the reconciliation of Income from operations, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to Restaurant level operating profit, included in the section Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliations below.

Restaurant Level Operating Profit Margin: represents Restaurant level operating profit as a percentage of restaurant sales. See Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliations below for a reconciliation to Income from operations margin, the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Selected Operating Data

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED MARCH 29, 2026
			COMPANY-OWNED						FRANCHISE-OWNED						TOTAL
Beginning of period			560						73						633
New restaurant openings			13						3						16
Closures			(1)						—						(1)
End of period			572						76						648

21

Table of Contents

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025
System-wide sales (in thousands)			$	367,566					$	322,999
Same-restaurant sales growth			2.8		%				0.7		%
Same-restaurant traffic growth			(2.0)		%				(0.7)		%
Income from operations (in thousands)			$	999					$	1,113
Income from operations margin			0.3		%				0.4		%
Restaurant level operating profit (in thousands) (1)			$	60,858					$	46,122
Restaurant level operating profit margin (1)			18.5		%				16.5		%
Net loss (in thousands)			$	(2,685)					$	(829)
Net loss margin			(0.8)		%				(0.3)		%
Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands) (2)			$	27,797					$	22,753
Adjusted EBITDA margin (2)			8.4		%				8.1		%

________________

(1) Reconciliations from Income from operations and Income from operations margin, the most comparable GAAP measures to Restaurant level operating profit and Restaurant level operating profit margin, respectively, are set forth in the schedules within the Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliations section below.

(2) Reconciliations from Net loss and Net loss margin, the most comparable GAAP measures to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin, respectively, are set forth in the schedules within the Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliations section below.

22

Table of Contents

Results of Operations

The following table summarizes our results of operations and the percentages of items in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss in relation to Total revenues or, where indicated, Restaurant sales for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025:

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026												MARCH 30, 2025
Revenues
Restaurant sales			$	328,148					99.2		%				$	279,591					99.1		%
Franchise revenues			2,811						0.8		%				2,649						0.9		%
Total revenues			330,959						100.0		%				282,240						100.0		%
Operating costs and expenses
Restaurant operating expenses (1) (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below):
Food and beverage costs			74,310						22.6		%				66,647						23.8		%
Labor and other related expenses			110,609						33.7		%				96,754						34.6		%
Other restaurant operating expenses			51,904						15.8		%				44,259						15.8		%
Occupancy expenses			27,410						8.4		%				23,149						8.3		%
Pre-opening expenses			3,057						0.9		%				2,660						1.0		%
General and administrative expenses			39,945						12.1		%				30,219						10.7		%
Depreciation and amortization			21,396						6.5		%				16,557						5.9		%
Impairments and loss on disposal of assets			153						—		%				9						—		%
Transaction and restructuring expenses, net			1,176						0.4		%				873						0.3		%
Total operating costs and expenses			329,960						99.7		%				281,127						99.6		%
Income from operations (1)			999						0.3		%				1,113						0.4		%
Interest expense			(4,778)						(1.4)		%				(3,334)						(1.2)		%
Other income, net			345						0.1		%				684						0.2		%
Loss before income taxes			(3,434)						(1.0)		%				(1,537)						(0.5)		%
Income tax benefit			749						0.2		%				708						0.3		%
Net loss			$	(2,685)					(0.8)		%				$	(829)					(0.3)		%

_____________

(1) As a percentage of restaurant sales.

Restaurant Sales

Restaurant sales represent the aggregate sales of food and beverages, net of discounts, at company-owned restaurants. Restaurant sales in any period are directly influenced by the number of operating weeks in the period, the number of open restaurants, customer traffic and average check. Average check growth is the combined result of our menu price increases and changes to our menu mix.

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025						Change
Restaurant sales:
In-restaurant dining sales			$	265,722					$	226,727					17.2		%
Third-party delivery sales			39,692						32,005						24.0		%
Take-out sales			22,734						20,859						9.0		%
Total restaurant sales			$	328,148					$	279,591					17.4		%

The increase in total restaurant sales as compared to the same period in the prior year was due principally to (i) a higher number of restaurants from new openings and 2025 franchise acquisitions and (ii) positive same-restaurant sales growth of 2.8%.

23

Table of Contents

Franchise Revenues

Franchise revenues are comprised of sales-based royalty fees, system fund contributions and the amortization of upfront initial franchise fees, which are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the franchise agreement. Franchise revenues in any period are directly influenced by the number of open franchise-owned restaurants.

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025						Change
Franchise revenues:
Royalty and system fund contributions			$	2,755					$	2,587					6.5		%
Initial fees			56						62						(9.7)		%
Total Franchise revenues			$	2,811					$	2,649					6.1		%

The increase in franchise revenues during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 as compared to the same period in the prior year was due to an increase in the system fund contribution rate, partially offset by a decrease in franchise-owned restaurants from 86 to 76.

Food and Beverage Costs

Food and beverage costs at company-owned restaurants vary with sales volume and are subject to increases and declines in commodity costs.

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025						Change
Food and beverage costs			$	74,310					$	66,647					11.5		%
As a percentage of restaurant sales			22.6		%				23.8		%				(1.2)		%

Food and beverage costs as a percent of restaurant sales decreased during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 as compared to the same period in the prior year primarily as a result of (i) menu price increases and (ii) commodity deflation due to a decrease in the cost of eggs, avocados, and bacon, partially offset by an increase in the cost of coffee.

Food and beverage costs increased during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 as compared to the same period in the prior year primarily as a result of the 58 new restaurant openings and 19 restaurants acquired from franchisees between March 30, 2025 and March 29, 2026. This increase was partially offset by commodity deflation.

Labor and Other Related Expenses

Labor and other related expenses include hourly and management wages, bonuses, payroll taxes, workers’ compensation expense and employee benefits. Factors that influence labor costs include minimum wage and payroll tax legislation, health care costs, the number and performance of our company-owned restaurants and competition for qualified staff.

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025						Change
Labor and other related expenses			$	110,609					$	96,754					14.3		%
As a percentage of restaurant sales			33.7		%				34.6		%				(0.9)		%

Labor and other related expenses as a percentage of restaurant sales decreased during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 as compared to the same period in the prior year primarily as a result of the leverage associated with menu price increases, partially offset by wage increases.

The increase in labor and other related expenses during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 as compared to the same period in the prior year was primarily due to (i) the increase in the number of company-owned restaurants and related headcount and (ii) wage increases.

24

Table of Contents

Other Restaurant Operating Expenses

Other restaurant operating expenses consist of marketing and advertising expenses, utilities, insurance and other variable expenses incidental to operating company-owned restaurants, such as operating supplies (including paper products, menus and to-go supplies), credit card fees, repairs and maintenance, and third-party delivery services fees.

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025						Change
Other restaurant operating expenses			$	51,904					$	44,259					17.3		%
As a percentage of restaurant sales			15.8		%				15.8		%				—		%

The increase in other restaurant operating expenses during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 as compared to the same period in the prior year was primarily due to the increase in the number of company-owned restaurants driving increased expenses, including (i) $2.6 million related to utilities, repair and maintenance expenses, (ii) $2.2 million in operating supplies, (iii) $1.6 million in third-party delivery fees and (iv) $1.0 million in credit card fees.

Occupancy Expenses

Occupancy expenses primarily consist of rent expense, property insurance, common area expenses and property taxes.

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025						Change
Occupancy expenses			$	27,410					$	23,149					18.4		%
As a percentage of restaurant sales			8.4		%				8.3		%				0.1		%

The increase in occupancy expenses as a percentage of restaurant sales for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 as compared to the same period in the prior year was primarily due to an increase in company-owned restaurants.

The increase in occupancy expenses during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 as compared to the same period in the prior year was primarily due to the increase in the number of company-owned restaurants.

Pre-opening Expenses

Pre-opening expenses are costs incurred to open new company-owned restaurants. Pre-opening expenses include rent expense, manager salaries, recruiting expenses, employee payroll and training costs. Pre-opening expenses can fluctuate from period to period, based on the number and timing of new company-owned restaurant openings.

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025						Change
Pre-opening expenses			$	3,057					$	2,660					14.9		%

The increase in pre-opening expenses during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 as compared to the same period in the prior year was primarily due to the higher number of new restaurants opened during the period.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses primarily consist of costs associated with our corporate and administrative functions that support restaurant development and operations including marketing and advertising costs incurred as well as legal fees, professional fees, stock-based compensation and expenses associated with being a public company, including costs associated with our compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. General and administrative expenses are impacted by changes in our employee headcount and costs related to strategic and growth initiatives.

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025						Change
General and administrative expenses			$	39,945					$	30,219					32.2		%

25

Table of Contents

The increase in general and administrative expenses during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 as compared to the same period in the prior year was mainly due to (i) a $4.0 million increase related to 2026 leadership conference expenses, (ii) a $3.5 million increase in compensation expenses related to stock compensation, bonus expenses and additional employee headcount to support growth, (iii) a $1.7 million increase in marketing expenses and (iv) a $0.5 million increase in licenses and fees including information technology related expenses for an increased number of restaurants.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization consists of the depreciation of fixed assets, including leasehold improvements, fixtures and equipment and the amortization of definite-lived intangible assets, which are primarily comprised of franchise rights.

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025						Change
Depreciation and amortization			$	21,396					$	16,557					29.2		%

The increase in depreciation and amortization during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 as compared to the same period in the prior year was primarily related to depreciating and amortizing the assets of NROs and of acquired restaurants, including reacquired rights from franchisees.

Transaction and Restructuring Expenses, Net

Transaction and restructuring expenses, net principally include (i) incremental severance costs resulting from organizational optimization, (ii) costs incurred in connection with the acquisition of franchise-owned restaurants and (iii) costs related to secondary equity offerings completed in 2025.

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025						Change
Transaction and restructuring expenses, net			$	1,176					$	873					34.7		%

The increase in transaction and restructuring expenses, net during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 as compared to the same period in the prior year was mainly due to a $1.1 million increase in incremental severance costs resulting from organizational optimization. The increase was partially offset by (i) a $0.4 million decrease in costs incurred in connection with acquisitions and (ii) a $0.4 million reduction in secondary equity offering costs.

Income from Operations

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025						Change
Income from operations			$	999					$	1,113					(10.2)		%
As a percentage of restaurant sales			0.3		%				0.4		%				(0.1)		%

Income from operations and income from operations margin decreased during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 compared to the same period in the prior year, as revenue increases were exceeded by increases in (i) general and administrative expenses, (ii) depreciation and amortization expense and (iii) occupancy expenses.

Interest Expense

Interest expense primarily consists of interest and fees on our outstanding debt and the amortization expense for debt discount and deferred issuance costs.

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025						Change
Interest expense			$	4,778					$	3,334					43.3		%

26

Table of Contents

The increase in interest expense during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 as compared to the same period in the prior year was primarily due to increased borrowing associated with 2025 franchise acquisitions, partially offset by lower interest rates.

Other Income, Net

Other income, net includes items deemed to be non-operating based on Management’s assessment of the nature of the item in relation to our core operations.

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025						Change
Other income, net			$	345					$	684					(49.6)		%

Other income, net decreased during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 as compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to a decrease in insurance proceeds.

Income Tax

Income tax consists of federal and state taxes.

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025						Change
Income tax benefit			$	749					$	708					5.8		%
Effective income tax rate			21.8		%				46.1		%				(24.3)		%

The change in the effective income tax rate and provision for income taxes for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 as compared to the same period in the prior year was primarily due to (i) the changes in the loss before taxes, (ii) the benefit of FICA tax credits and (iii) the impact of executive compensation.

Net Loss

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025						Change
Net loss			$	(2,685)					$	(829)					223.9		%
As a percentage of total revenues			(0.8)		%				(0.3)		%				(0.5)		%

Net loss and net loss margin during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 increased as compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to (i) the decrease in income from operations as expenses increased at a higher rate than revenue and (ii) an increase in interest expense associated with increased borrowings to fund 2025 franchise acquisitions.

Restaurant Level Operating Profit and Restaurant Level Operating Profit Margin

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025						Change
Restaurant level operating profit			$	60,858					$	46,122					32.0		%
Restaurant level operating profit margin			18.5		%				16.5		%				2.0		%

Restaurant level operating profit margin during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 increased as compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to (i) favorable labor and other related expenses as a percent of sales and (ii) favorable food and beverage costs as a percent of sales.

Restaurant level operating profit for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 increased as compared to the same period in the prior year due to sales growth driven by increases in (i) restaurant locations and (ii) same-restaurant sales. This was partially offset by increases in expenses associated primarily with an increase in the number of company-owned restaurants, including (i) labor and other related expenses, (ii) food and beverage costs, (iii) other restaurant operating expenses, (iv) occupancy expenses and (v) pre-opening expenses.

27

Table of Contents

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025						Change
Adjusted EBITDA			$	27,797					$	22,753					22.2		%
Adjusted EBITDA margin			8.4		%				8.1		%				0.3		%

Adjusted EBITDA margin increased during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to an increase in restaurant level operating profit margin, partially offset by an increase in general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues.

Adjusted EBITDA increased during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to an increase in restaurant level operating profit, partially offset by an increase in general and administrative expenses including (i) expenses related to the leadership conference held in the first quarter of 2026 and (ii) an increase in compensation expenses.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliations

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin - The following table reconciles Net loss and Net loss margin, the most directly comparable GAAP measures to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin, respectively, for the periods indicated:

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025
Net loss			$	(2,685)					$	(829)
Depreciation and amortization			21,396						16,557
Interest expense			4,778						3,334
Income tax benefit			(749)						(708)
EBITDA			22,740						18,354
Strategic transition costs (1)			376						1,234
Stock-based compensation, net of amounts capitalized (2)			3,352						2,259
Delaware Voluntary Disclosure Agreement Program (3)			—						24
Transaction and restructuring expenses, net (4)			1,176						873
Impairments and loss on disposal of assets (5)			153						9
Adjusted EBITDA			$	27,797					$	22,753
Total revenues			$	330,959					$	282,240
Net loss margin			(0.8)		%				(0.3)		%
Adjusted EBITDA margin			8.4		%				8.1		%
Additional information
Deferred rent (6)			$	(155)					$	185

_____________________________

(1) Represents costs related to process improvements and strategic initiatives. These costs are recorded within General and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

(2) Represents non-cash, stock-based compensation expense, net of amounts capitalized, which is recorded within General and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

(3) Represents professional service costs incurred in connection with the Delaware Voluntary Disclosure Agreement Program related to unclaimed or abandoned property. These costs are recorded in General and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

(4) Represents severance costs resulting from organizational optimization, costs incurred in connection with the acquisition of franchise-owned restaurants, secondary equity offering costs and costs related to restaurant closures.

(5) Represents impairment charges and costs related to the disposal of assets due to retirements, replacements and restaurant closures.

(6) Represents the non-cash portion of straight-line rent recorded within both Occupancy expenses and General and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

28

Table of Contents

Restaurant level operating profit and Restaurant level operating profit margin - The following table reconciles Income from operations and Income from operations margin, the most comparable GAAP measures to Restaurant level operating profit and Restaurant level operating profit margin, for the periods indicated:

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025
Income from operations			$	999					$	1,113
Less: Franchise revenues			(2,811)						(2,649)
Add:
General and administrative expenses			39,945						30,219
Depreciation and amortization			21,396						16,557
Transaction and restructuring expenses, net (1)			1,176						873
Impairments and loss on disposal of assets (2)			153						9
Restaurant level operating profit			$	60,858					$	46,122
Restaurant sales			$	328,148					$	279,591
Income from operations margin			0.3		%				0.4		%
Restaurant level operating profit margin			18.5		%				16.5		%
Additional information
Deferred rent(3)			$	(171)					$	135

_____________________________

(1) Represents severance costs resulting from organizational optimization, costs incurred in connection with the acquisition of franchise-owned restaurants, secondary equity offering costs and costs related to restaurant closures.

(2) Represents impairment charges and costs related to the disposal of assets due to retirements, replacements and restaurant closures.

(3) Represents the non-cash portion of straight-line rent recorded within Occupancy expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of March 29, 2026, we had cash and cash equivalents of $23.6 million and outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility of $265.3 million, excluding unamortized debt discount and deferred issuance costs. We had availability of $66.0 million under our revolving credit facility of $125.0 million, of which $2.5 million is reserved under letters of credit pursuant to our credit agreement, dated as of October 6, 2021 as amended (“Credit Agreement”). Our principal uses of cash include capital expenditures for the development, acquisition or remodeling of restaurants, lease obligations, debt service payments and strategic infrastructure investments. Our working capital requirements are low due to our restaurants storing minimal inventory and customers pay for their purchases at the time of the sale, which frequently precedes our payment terms with suppliers.

We believe that our cash flow from operations combined with our availability under the Credit Facility and our cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to meet our liquidity needs for at least the next 12 months. We anticipate that to the extent that we require additional liquidity, or should we decide to pursue one or more significant acquisitions, the funds would be furnished first through additional indebtedness and thereafter through the issuance of equity. Although we believe that our current level of total available liquidity is sufficient to meet our short-term and long-term liquidity requirements, we regularly evaluate opportunities to improve our liquidity position in order to enhance financial flexibility.

We estimate that our capital expenditures will total approximately $150.0 million to $160.0 million in 2026. This capital is invested primarily in new restaurant projects and planned remodels. We intend to fund the capital expenditures primarily with cash generated from our operating activities as well as with borrowings pursuant to our Credit Agreement.

29

Table of Contents

Summary of Cash Flows

The following table presents a summary of our cash provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025:

			THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
(in thousands)			MARCH 29, 2026						MARCH 30, 2025
Cash provided by operating activities			$	34,456					$	20,138
Cash used in investing activities			(29,532)						(36,605)
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities			(2,605)						1,762
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			$	2,319					$	(14,705)

Cash provided by operations is our typical source of liquidity used (i) to fund capital expenditures for new restaurants, (ii) to maintain and remodel existing restaurants and (iii) for debt service. While there was a higher net loss during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 as compared to the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2025, there was an increase in cash provided by operations primarily due to (i) higher net earnings and (ii) the timing of operational payments.

Cash used in investing activities decreased during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 from the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2025 due principally to the timing and amounts paid for new restaurants and capital projects into which we are investing.

Cash (used in) provided by financing activities includes borrowing from and repayments of the Company’s Credit Facility.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements and related notes requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. Certain of our accounting policies require the application of significant judgment by management in selecting the appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates. By their nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. These judgments are based on our historical experience, terms of existing contracts, our evaluation of trends in the industry and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. We evaluate our estimates and judgments on an on-going basis. Our actual results may differ from these estimates. Judgments and uncertainties affecting the application of those policies may result in materially different amounts being reported under different conditions or using different assumptions. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies as disclosed in “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in the 2025 Form 10-K.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

For a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements, see Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes to our exposure to market risks as disclosed in the 2025 Form 10-K.

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We have established and maintain disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act, such as this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

30

Table of Contents

Disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to ensure that information allowing for timely disclosure decisions is accumulated and communicated to Management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate.

Management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of March 29, 2026, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter ended March 29, 2026 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

31

Table of Contents

Part II - Other Information

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

We are involved in various claims and legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that the ultimate resolution of any of these actions, individually or taken in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, liquidity or capital resources. A significant increase in the number of claims or an increase in amounts owing under successful claims could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. See Note 11, Commitments and Contingencies, in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information discussed in this Form 10-Q, please consider the factors described in Part I, Item 1A., “Risk Factors” in our 2025 Form 10-K, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our 2025 Form 10-K.

Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5.    Other Information

Insider Adoption or Termination of Trading Arrangements:

During the fiscal quarter ended March 29, 2026, none of our directors or officers adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as those terms are defined in Regulation S-K, Item 408.

32

Table of Contents

Item 6.    Exhibits

The exhibits listed in the Exhibits index to this Form 10-Q are incorporated herein by reference.

Exhibit No.

Description

FILINGS REFERENCED FOR INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

10.1*

Form of 2026 Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement

Filed herewith

31.1

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Filed herewith

31.2

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Filed herewith

32.1**

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Furnished herewith

101

The financial information from First Watch Restaurant Group, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first fiscal quarter ended March 29, 2026, filed on May 5, 2026, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (“iXBRL”)

Filed herewith

104

Cover Page Interactive Date File (formatted as iXBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

Filed herewith

_____________

* Denotes a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

** This certification is not deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. This certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference.

33

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on May 5, 2026.

			FIRST WATCH RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.
			By:			/s/ Christopher A. Tomasso
			Name:			Christopher A. Tomasso
			Title:			President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
			By:			/s/ Mel Hope
			Name			Mel Hope
			Title:			Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

34

FAQ

How did First Watch (FWRG) perform financially in Q1 2026?

First Watch generated total revenues of $330.9 million in Q1 2026, up 17.3% year over year. System-wide sales reached $367.6 million, but higher overhead and interest kept the company at a modest net loss of $2.7 million for the quarter.

What were First Watch (FWRG) same-restaurant sales and traffic trends?

In Q1 2026, First Watch reported 2.8% same-restaurant sales growth and ‑2.0% same-restaurant traffic growth. The gap reflects higher average check from menu pricing and mix, which offset lower guest counts across the comparable restaurant base.

How profitable were First Watch restaurants at the unit level in Q1 2026?

Restaurant-level operating profit was $60.9 million with an 18.5% margin in Q1 2026, up from 16.5% a year earlier. Lower food and beverage cost ratios and better labor leverage supported this improvement despite higher occupancy and operating expenses.

What was First Watch (FWRG) net income and EPS for Q1 2026?

First Watch recorded a net loss of $2.7 million in Q1 2026, compared with a $0.8 million loss in Q1 2025. Basic and diluted net loss per common share were both $0.04, versus $0.01 in the prior-year quarter.

How many restaurants does First Watch operate and franchise?

As of March 29, 2026, First Watch operated 572 company-owned restaurants and had 76 franchise-owned restaurants, for a total of 648 system-wide locations across 32 U.S. states. The company opened 16 system-wide restaurants in the quarter, with one planned closure.

What is First Watch’s Adjusted EBITDA and margin for Q1 2026?

Adjusted EBITDA was $27.8 million in Q1 2026, up from $22.8 million a year earlier. Adjusted EBITDA margin improved slightly to 8.4% of total revenues, reflecting better restaurant-level profitability partially offset by higher general and administrative expenses.