America’s fastest-growing sit-down chain opens 3rd Idaho restaurant: Meridian again
A brunch chain that debuted in Idaho last year just unveiled its third Gem State location.
And you can probably guess where.
First Watch opened to the public Monday at 6192 N. Linder Road. It’s the latest tenant at Orchard Park in Meridian. “First Watch joins an impressive lineup of co-tenants at Orchard Park,” bragged a press release from Summit Commercial Real Estate Group, “including WinCo Foods, Chipotle, Kneaders, Mo’ Bettahs, Wendy’s, Olive Garden and a mix of other local, regional and national retailers and restaurants.”
Located just off the intersection with Chinden Boulevard, it's 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 — and breakfast — chain in America, according to a recent Bloomberg article.
The newest store is a buildout of the former, and final, location of now-defunct Idaho brunch brand Biscuit & Hogs.
Invading the Treasure Valley with steel-cut oatmeal and multigrain pancakes, First Watch has made a fast impact. A year ago, the chain 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.
Even with a third First Watch open in the valley, fans can expect more to come, said Shawn Richard, owner and operator of Rise and Smile, the franchise group that runs restaurants in Idaho and Utah. “We currently have five locations in the Salt Lake metro area,” he told the Statesman in May. “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 recent 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.”
This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 12:50 PM.