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UNIVERSITY PARK — Fast-growing First Watch, one of the leading breakfast-brunch-lunch chains in the country, added two restaurant industry veterans to its leadership team.
The new hires are David Gonzalez, named vice president of franchising, and Danny Foster, named vice president of design and construction.
Gonzalez joins University Park-based First Watch after serving as vice president of franchising at Le Duff America, where he was responsible for franchise recruitment for La Madeleine and Bruegger's Bagels, according to a release. Gonzalez was also previously an executive vice president of outsourcing firm Franchise Dynamics. Foster has spent the past 15 years in purchasing, construction and development roles at several restaurant chains, including Outback Steakhouse and Bonefish Grill, the release adds. Foster will lead First Watch's construction team and oversee design and development for both remodels and new restaurant openings.
“We couldn't have asked for two better candidates to join the First Watch team during a period of incredible change and growth for the company,” First Watch president and CEO Ken Pendery says in the statement. “Danny and David bring extensive experience to our team and will undoubtedly be valuable assets to our organization going forward.”
First Watch has 153 restaurants in 17 states. Late last month the company acquired Centennial, Colo.-based The Egg & I Restaurants, which added 114 locations. The deal created a 267-restaurant chain across 26 states.
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