First Watch Restaurant Group Inc logo

First Watch Restaurant Group Inc(FWRG)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL RECENCY
1-STAR RATING
Consider higher Upturn Star rating
BUY for 9 days
PROFIT SINCE LAST BUY
+6.43% ▲
LAST CLOSE
$12.74
10/30/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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  • BUY Advisory
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Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for FWRG

10/30/2026: FWRG (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.

First Watch Restaurant Group Inc is a growth-focused restaurant operator known for its 'daytime-only' breakfast, brunch, and lunch model. The company's key strengths include a distinct brand identity, high-quality, scratch-made food, and operational efficiencies resulting from limited service hours. Its investment story centers on the successful, scalable expansion of its unit count across the U.S. market. However, investors must consider risks such as high sensitivity to labor and commodity costs, intense industry competition, and the inherent volatility of a growth stock. First Watch may suit growth-oriented investors, though it is not a fit for those seeking income, and development should be monitored for consistent margin performance.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorStrong fitThe company offers a clear, repeatable expansion story in the under-penetrated BBL restaurant segment.
Momentum investorMixed fitFit is conditional on the stock maintaining a positive technical uptrend amidst broader market volatility.
Value investorWeak fitAs a growth-oriented restaurant stock, it typically trades at higher multiples than mature, slow-growth peers.
Dividend investorWeak fitThe company currently does not pay a dividend, prioritizing capital allocation toward unit growth.
Low-risk investorWeak fitRestaurant stocks are inherently subject to consumer spending cycles, commodity cost fluctuations, and operational risks.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMedium / highSmall-cap growth stocks in the restaurant sector often experience significant price swings based on quarterly sales trends.
Valuation riskMedium / highHigh P/E multiples relative to sector averages require sustained high growth to justify the current stock price.
Competition risk (casual dining)MediumThe competitive nature of breakfast dining means the company must continually innovate to maintain its brand differentiation.
Business qualityMediumWhile the brand has a strong following, it relies on successful execution of a labor-intensive restaurant model at scale.
Dividend incomeLow / noneThe company does not provide income through dividends, which is a consideration for income-focused portfolios.
Execution riskMediumRapidly opening new locations requires consistent management of labor, supply chains, and training to preserve brand standards.

Price Behavior

Downtrend
PRICE PATH

Downtrend

The stock has experienced a sustained decline in price over recent periods.

Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Choppy

The stock has experienced frequent reversals and pronounced short-term price swings.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -63.91%
Avg. Invested days 24
Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 2.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/30/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
FWRG receives a 3-star rating, supported by strong analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by weak unit economics, and weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
FWRG has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with moderate financial health, moderate growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, moderate earnings growth (+2.7%) and solid revenue growth (+20.3%) are partially offset by weak cash generation (FCF margin -2.5%), soft profitability (net margin 1.6%), modest insider ownership of 1.85%.

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
FWRG's financial health is supported by moderate efficiency, including operating-expense and cost-of-revenue discipline (opex 10.3% of revenue). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Revenue growth is FWRG's strongest growth driver at +20.3% FY2025 versus FY2024 (solid, 4 stars). By comparison, while free-cash-flow growth (-152.5%, negative) holds the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 108.8% and approximately 98.3% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 1.85% provides only moderate management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 7.35%
Manufacturers Life Insurance Co 6.20%
Bank of New York Mellon Corp 6.03%
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. 4.21%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 3.98%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
FWRG generates approximately $130 of gross profit, $28 of operating income, and $-25 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Negative free cash flow explains the 1-star rating, with weak cash conversion and weak capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: -60.16% (Tax Credit)

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
FWRG has a liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while valuation that is moderately attractive rather than deeply discounted.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Small / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Small-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 772.02M USD
Price to earnings Ratio 44.68
1Y Target Price 18.3
Price to earnings Ratio 44.68
1Y Target Price 18.3
Volume (30-day avg) 1.6M shares
Beta 1.05
52 Weeks Range 9.88 - 18.77
Updated Date 10/30/2026
52 Weeks Range 9.88 - 18.77
Updated Date 10/30/2026
Dividends yield (FY) -
Basic EPS (TTM) 0.28

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Company-Owned RestaurantsDirect sales of food and beverages at company-operated locations.This is the primary driver of revenue, representing direct operational performance and customer demand.
Franchised RestaurantsRoyalties and franchise fees from independently operated First Watch locations.This provides a higher-margin revenue stream with lower capital intensity than company-owned stores.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Earnings Date

Report Date 2026-11-03
When Before Market
Estimate 0.03
Actual -

Profitability

Profit Margin 1.35%
Operating Margin (TTM) 2.48%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 1.18%
Return on Equity (TTM) 2.88%

Valuation

Trailing PE 44.68
Forward PE 63.69
Enterprise Value 1.77B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.59
Enterprise Value 1.77B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.59
Enterprise Value to Revenue 1.34
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 15.68
Shares Outstanding 61.71M
Shares Floating 60.65M
Shares Outstanding 61.71M
Shares Floating 60.65M
Percent Insiders 1.85
Percent Institutions 108.78

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

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