First Watch to expand in North Port

NORTH PORT — The fast growth for new locations continues at First Watch, with the latest expansion coming in the breakfast-brunch-lunch chain's home territory.

That location, according to a release, will be on Tamiami Trail in North Port, in south Sarasota County. First Watch, with a corporate headquarters in east Manatee County, plans to open the restaurant later this summer. The restaurant, a 3,000-square-foot location in the Cocoplum Village shopping center, will have about 25 employees, company officials say. It's a freestanding building and will feature a patio for outdoor dining.

“The First Watch brand has grown tremendously since we relocated our headquarters to Sarasota 27 years ago,” First Watch Chief Marketing Officer Chris Tomasso says in a release. “It seems only natural that we continue to expand our presence and bring our unique offerings, fresh flavorful ingredients and relaxed atmosphere to the North Port community.”