First Watch opening in CEO's hometown

First Watch Restaurants Inc., the Manatee County-based chain that is the nation's largest breakfast and lunch eatery, will debut a new offering later this month in Florence, Ky.

And while First Watch's expansion is hardly new — the chain counts more than 260 restaurants in its portfolio — its latest location represents a sort of homecoming for company president and CEO Ken Pendery Jr.

That's because the new 3,500-square-foot Florence Square location, scheduled to open Oct. 24, will be but a few miles away from Fort Thomas, Ky., where Pendery grew up.