First Watch Opening In Cedar Park: New Details

CEDAR PARK, TX — Florida-based First Watch, Mac Haik Restaurant officials on Wednesday provided Patch with details on the imminent opening of their new Cedar Park restaurant opening next week — chiefly details related to their first bar program at the location.

Ahead of the official Monday, July 29, opening, residents are invited on a trial run of sorts to experience the new eatery. More on that later, but let's talk about first about its offerings and architectural aesthetics.

"When the new First Watch restaurant opens on Monday at 1320 E. Whitestone Blvd. in Cedar Park, fans of the breakfast, brunch and lunch concept in the Austin area will notice some things are a little different," officials wrote in an email.

Related story: Brunch Spot 'First Watch' Comes To Cedar Park

For one, officials added, the inaugural opening in Cedar Park is larger — 3,800 square feet, (an average First Watch is 3,300 square feet). Moreover, the Cedar Park site features elements not yet seen in other area First Watch restaurants including a bar/beverage counter serving unique alcoholic brunch signature cocktails like a Vodka and Kale Tonic — a variation of the restaurant’s popular Kale Tonic drink featuring gluten-free vodka. Classic brunch cocktails like Mimosas and Bloody Marys are also available, as is kombucha and beer on draft.

Photo courtesy of First Watch.

Here's how officials describe the design: "The interior brightly builds upon First Watch’s Urban Farm design prototype with the addition of warm blue tones, quartz countertops, a subway-tile backsplash, and a grab-and-go retail area showcasing Sweet Street’s new line of GMO-free, additive-free desserts for purchase and fresh ground Project Sunrise coffee, grown by an independent group of female farmers in Huila, Colombia, called Mujeres en Café."

Now back to that "practice session" for residents. The weekend event will serve not only as a sneak peek, but offer residents a chance to donate to the Cedar Park hockey team Texas Stars foundation that helps various area nonprofits. Representatives from the organization are scheduled to be on hand along with their mascot that will make an appearance on both days of the preview, Saturday, July 27, and Sunday, July 28. Register to attend the event (up to 4 per reservation) by clicking here.

The spokeswoman for the franchise provided a "fun fact" related to the local eatery: COO Dan Anfinson, was a resident of Cedar Park before moving to Houston to join the franchise. "His daughter was born at the hospital across the street from our new location," she added.

First Watch officials also plan to open another area location in Georgetown toward the beginning of 2020, officials said. The company is based in Sarasota, Florida.

ABOUT FIRST WATCH

The new restaurant is owned by Houston-based franchise group, MH(FW) RESTAURANTS LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of MAC HAIK ENTERPRISES LTD (MHE). Now Mac Haik, former wide receiver for the Houston Oilers, is one of First Watch’s fastest growing franchise groups. Haik was formerly The Egg & I’s largest franchisor when the Houston businessman sold his 30-restaurant entity to First Watch in May 2015. MH(FW) RESTAURANTS LLC presently owns and operates eleven First Watch locations, now in Cedar Park, throughout the greater Houston area and in College Station. The group plans to open a minimum of 18 First Watch restaurants throughout Texas and Southwestern Louisiana.

Ron Marshall, Vice President of MAC HAIK REALTY LLC, who oversees site selection for Mac Haik Enterprises, said, “We specifically chose to debut our investment at Cedar Park, not only because of its attraction for those visiting the charming Hill Country and surrounding Austin areas, but also because of the unique local community that has been so welcoming to us. It is an honor to build relationships here and we can’t wait to introduce this prototype to our friends and neighbors in the community we so gratefully serve.”

First Watch’s curated menu takes an elevated approach to traditional and innovative offerings made to order using farm fresh ingredients. It includes crave-able items such as Avocado Toast, Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict, Farm Stand Breakfast Tacos and Lemon Ricotta Pancakes. The new restaurant will offer healthy, flavorful favorites like house-made granola and pico de gallo, organic greens, house-roasted vegetables, cage-free eggs and 100% fresh-squeezed orange juice as well as more indulgent, traditional breakfast, brunch and lunch offerings. First Watch on Whitestone Boulevard will also offer options from the restaurant’s Juice Bar – including the best-selling Morning Meditation – juiced in-house daily using only the highest quality fruits and vegetables.

First Watch serves its entire menu seven days a week from 7 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The restaurant also offers customers complimentary newspapers and free Wi-Fi Internet access.
About First Watch First Watch specializes in award-winning, made-to-order Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch. A recipient of more than 200 “Best Breakfast” and “Best Brunch” accolades, First Watch offers traditional favorites, such as omelets, pancakes, sandwiches and salads, and unique specialty items like Quinoa Power Bowls, Avocado Toast and the Chickichanga.

First Watch was recognized as one of TripAdvisor’s Best Restaurant Chains for 2019, one of Business Intelligence Group’s Best Places to Work in 2018 and as one of Nation’s Restaurant News’ 2017 Second 100 restaurant brands. First Watch is the largest and fastest-growing daytime-only restaurant concept in the United States with more than 375 restaurants in 32 states, including more than 325 First Watch restaurants and 40 The Egg & I restaurants and one Sun & Fork restaurant.

For more information, visit firstwatch.com.

ABOUT MAC HAIK ENTERPRISES

Mac Haik Enterprises LTD (MHE) MHE includes commercial real estate development entities that develop, own and manage office buildings, medical buildings, retail centers, and hotels. The Mac Haik Automotive Group is the largest independent automotive group in the state of Texas and the 15th largest in the United States with 17 new car dealerships plus used car dealerships.

MHE subsidiaries also are majority owners in two rapidly expanding fast casual restaurant brands, Original ChopShop and Bellagreen. MH Outdoor Media LLC is an outdoor advertising media company with digital and static signs in Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Florida and Alabama.

MHE was one of the founding partners and maintains an interest in Acuity Healthcare Inc, the largest ESOP owned LTAC in the country with hospitals in New Jersey, West Virginia, and Ohio. The overall MHE companies employ over 3,000 employees nationwide.

For additional information regarding MHE, visit machaik-enterprises.com.