First Watch lassos its biggest franchise deal

UNIVERSITY PARK — Fast-growing breakfast-brunch-lunch chain First Watch has signed the largest franchise agreement in its history, a deal for at least 15 restaurants in the Dallas/Fort Worth area over the next five years.

First Watch, according to a release, signed a franchise development agreement with Best Choice Restaurants LLC, a newly formed subsidiary of Sun Holdings, one of the largest franchise organizations in the country. Dallas-based Sun Holdings, founded in 1997, operates more than 400 multi-brand restaurants in multiple states and has nearly $450 million in annual revenues. Brands in the Sun Holdings portfolio include Burger King, Popeye's and Golden Corral.

The first restaurant under the agreement, the debut for University Park-based First Watch in Texas, is expected to open in late 2015.