Popular Breakfast Chain Expanding, Opening New Location In Tucson

A popular breakfast restaurant is opening a new location in Tucson.Photo byJoseph GonzalezonUnsplash

Nothing hits the spot like a well-made breakfast. Once upon a time, breakfast restaurant chains spread like wildfire in the country, with businesses like Denny’s and IHOP popping up everywhere. Fast forward to today, and while there is still a smattering of those chains around greater Tucson, it isn’t like it once was. Casual breakfast restaurants began to close, and those that remain are few and far between. But now, a national chain is expanding in the Old Pueblo with a wide range of breakfast dishes ranging from “wake-up” juices to scrambled eggs, breakfast quesadillas, and hash brown skillet meals. 

There are ten First Watch breakfast restaurants to the north of us in metro Phoenix. In short order, it has become one of the fastest-growing breakfast destinations in the Valley. The breakfast chain then moved to Tucson and it has continued to grow, with the most recent opening taking place here in January of this year at 2943 North Campbell Avenue. Now, a second location is currently in the works, as an acre of land close to the University was purchased for $4 million. 

According to the restaurant’s press release announcing the land sale, the restaurants in Tucson are some of the strongest-performing First Watch locations in the country, with six of the eight restaurants in the top 10 to 20 percent of all 444 restaurants. 

There is no word yet as to when the new restaurant will open. The building still needs to be constructed, so the eventual opening is months away. Chances are, it will not open to the public until the very end of the year, if not the beginning of 2025. There will be a drive-through window though, so if you are in a rush and need your morning breakfast (or beverage) you can order through the window. 

The menu is packed full of unique takes on old classics. Several menu items help breathe fresh life into old breakfast menu items. Some of the most popular items include Shishito Brisket Hash, Carnitas Breakfast Quesadilla, Blueberry Lemon Cornbread, and Strawberry Tres Leches French Toast. The morning wake-up juice bar also comes with a shot of antioxidant vitamins (and often caffeine) to help perk you up. Some of the most ordered flavors include Watermelon Wake-Up, Morning Meditation Fresh Juice, and Kale Tonic Fresh Juice.

Iced coffee beverages include Honey Caramel Crunch Iced Coffee, Mint Mocha Iced Coffee, and Cold Brew coffee.