First Watch just opened its first downtown Boston location at 777 Boylston Street on January 7, 2026

The Details: Occupying 3,100 SF in one of the most competitive retail blocks in the country, the restaurant features 130 seats, a full interior bar, and—crucially—an outdoor patio. This is the brand's second Massachusetts location, following a successful suburban proof-of-concept in Hanover.

TENANT EXPANSION PROFILE

Quick Stats:

2025 Performance: Opened a record-breaking 64 new restaurants across 23 states.

2026 Growth Target: Targeting 10% annual unit growth; currently halfway to a long-term goal of 2,200 locations.

Sweet Spot: 3,500 – 4,500 SF (though urban formats like Boylston work at 3,100 SF).

Site Selection "Must-Haves":

The Second-Gen Strategy: They are the industry leader in acquiring "second-gen" restaurant spaces (former banks or pharmacy divested sites). This allows them to build out in ~9 months vs. 12+ for ground-up.

Micro-Locations: Premier end-caps with multi-directional visibility or freestanding pads.

Co-Tenancy: "Daily Needs" anchors are non-negotiable (Whole Foods, Equinox, or high-volume drugstores).

Demographics: 90,000+ people within a 4-mile radius; $75k+ Median HH Income.

The Edge: Landlords love First Watch because they dominate the 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM window, leaving parking and infrastructure wide open for evening-centric neighbors. They are the ultimate "parking-friendly" co-tenant for high-density mixed-use projects.

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/restaurant-recap/first-watch-continues-new-england-expansion-with-first-location-in-boston/3873910/