First Watch makes doozy of a deal

UNIVERSITY PARK — In a year-plus of major growth moves, First Watch Restaurants now has a topper: The east Manatee County-based firm, already one of the leading breakfast, brunch and lunch concept chains in the country, has acquired another large chain, Centennial, Colo.-based The Egg & I Restaurants.

Terms of the deal weren't disclosed.

First Watch currently operates or franchises 153 restaurants in 17 states while The Egg & I operates or franchises 114 restaurants in 20 states, according to a release. Both concepts are a mix of company-owned and franchised restaurants.