After Meridian restaurant closes in conflict, this proven winner plans June opening
Time to wake up and rub those eyes, Meridian.
A brunch destination that circled the drain near the end of 2024 will rise and shine soon — reborn.
A new First Watch restaurant is on target for a mid- to late June opening at 6192 N. Linder Road in Orchard Park, Idaho franchisee Shawn Richards said.
Just off the intersection with Chinden Boulevard, it will be the third Idaho location for the Florida-based brand — all in Meridian. Focusing heavily on breakfast cuisine, First Watch is the fastest-growing sit-down chain in America, according to a recent Bloomberg article.
The newest store is a buildout of the former, and final, location of Idaho brand Biscuit & Hogs. That brand disappeared amid finger pointing and legal disagreements.
Expect no such egg on the face from First Watch.
Storming the Gem State with steel-cut oatmeal and multigrain pancakes, it has made an immediate positive impression.
A year ago, First Watch brought new life to an old Denny’s building at 3155 E. Fairview Ave. That restaurant was followed by another at 179 S. Ten Mile Road. Reviews for the restaurants? Glowing. Google ratings are 4.8 and 4.7 out of 5 stars. As one reviewer observed about First Watch on Ten Mile, “It’s got a mix of more traditional breakfast and things that are more modern such as: juice bar, fancy coffee, avocado toast and bowls.”
Fans of First Watch in the Treasure Valley can expect more locations, according to Richards, owner and operator of Rise and Smile, the restaurant franchise group that runs First Watch locations in Idaho and Utah. “We currently have five locations in the Salt Lake metro area,” he said. “We have plans to open at least two more in the Boise area as well as at least four more in Utah.”
First Watch operates more than 640 restaurants in 32 states, according to a press release. Calling itself “the leading daytime dining concept,” First Watch serves “made-to-order breakfast, brunch and lunch using the freshest ingredients available,” according to the release.
“Guided by its ‘Follow the Sun’ culinary philosophy, First Watch’s chef-driven menu rotates five times a year to feature the highest-quality flavors at their peak, offering elevated executions of classic favorites, fresh juices like the Kale Tonic, and fan favorites such as the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Quinoa Power Bowl and signature Million Dollar Bacon.
“... A recipient of hundreds of local ‘Best Breakfast’ and ‘Best Brunch’ awards, First Watch was voted 2025’s #1 Best Breakfast by Newsweek’s Readers’ Choice Awards and was also named 2025 and 2024’s #1 Most Loved Workplace in America by the Best Practice Institute (as seen in The Wall Street Journal), after appearing on the list in 2022 and 2023 as well.”