Bradenton, Fla.-based First Watch, a daytime-only restaurant chain that only serves breakfast, brunch and lunch, plans to open five locations in the Milwaukee area during the next 3-5 years.
The first location will be opened this year in the Brownstones Shopping Center at Bluemound and Calhoun roads in Brookfield.
VMB Sunrise Hospitality Inc., operated by Michael Busalacchi and his son, Vincent, will own and operate the five First Watch restaurants planned for the Milwaukee area.
First Watch has 83 restaurants in 11 states and plans to grow to 115 restaurants by the end of 2012.
“We’re confident that First Watch will do well in this market, especially with Michael’s great experience in the industry and his knowledge of Milwaukee,” said Chris Tomasso, chief marketing officer for First Watch. “We’ve been looking to expand into the Milwaukee market for a while and believe the market will really enjoy everything First Watch has to offer.”
Michael Busalacchi has more than 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry and he currently owns and operates three Culver’s restaurants in the Milwaukee area.
“We started eating at First Watch in Naples, Fla. and the concept really got our attention since we are in the restaurant business ourselves. I knew I wanted to bring more restaurants to the Milwaukee area and First Watch was the perfect choice,” Michael Busalacchi said. “We are really looking forward to growing the brand not just in Milwaukee, but also in the whole state of Wisconsin. We’re ready to follow the great job First Watch has been doing since they started.”
