First Watch (FWRG) Q2 Sales Rise 19%

Core Insights - First Watch Restaurant Group reported Q2 2025 revenue of $307.9 million, slightly exceeding analyst expectations of $306.6 million, but diluted EPS of $0.03 fell short of the $0.05 estimate and declined from $0.14 in the prior year [1][2][5] Financial Performance - Revenue increased by 19.1% year-over-year from $258.6 million in Q2 2024 [2][5] - Same-restaurant sales growth was 3.5%, with a 2.0% rise in same-restaurant guest count [2][5] - Adjusted EBITDA was $30.4 million, down 13.9% from $35.3 million in Q2 2024 [2] - Restaurant-level operating profit margin decreased from 21.9% to 18.6% [2][7] Company Overview - First Watch operates a chain of sit-down restaurants focusing on breakfast, brunch, and lunch, with 600 locations across 31 states [3] - The company emphasizes fresh, made-to-order dishes and avoids microwaves and deep fryers [3] Strategic Initiatives - The company is pursuing aggressive growth through new restaurant openings and franchise acquisitions, aiming for over 2,200 locations in the U.S. [4][6] - Key strategies include a "Follow the Sun" menu philosophy, investment in digital ordering, and a culture focused on employee retention and guest satisfaction [4] Market Dynamics - Despite strong sales growth, the company faced significant cost inflation, leading to a drop in income from operations margin to 2.4% from 6.4% in the prior year [7] - High prices for commodity ingredients and increased labor costs contributed to margin pressures [7][10] Future Outlook - Management raised full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance to $119–123 million, anticipating revenue growth of about 20% for fiscal 2025 [11] - Same-restaurant sales growth is expected to be in the low single digits, with cost inflation anticipated to peak in Q2 and moderate thereafter [12]