First Watch Restaurants, Inc. the privately-owned daytime-only restaurant chain, solidified its involvement with the University of Central Florida with a $25,000 endowed scholarship to the Rosen College of Hospitality Management. The gift, payable over five years, will be available to students majoring in Restaurant and Foodservice Management.
“First Watch is a terrific partner for Rosen College as we’re both experiencing aggressive growth,” states Jennifer Rickmann, Rosen College development officer. ” This is their 80th store opening and Rosen College is the nation’s largest hospitality program in terms of student credit hours. The timing is perfect since several of our loyal donors have pulled back due to the economy, but an endowed scholarship will go on forever.”
Coinciding with the beginning of the fall semester, First Watch presented the check and celebrated the grand opening of its newest restaurant on August 24th at 3402 Technological Ave. near the main campus of the University of Central Florida. “This entire grand opening program…resulted in a record-setting opening in terms of sales for First Watch in our 26 year history,” said Chris Tomasso, UCF alumnus and chief marketing officer with First Watch.
In addition to the endowment, UCF graduates are being recruited to join the First Watch management program, where they will use the skills learned in the classroom on a daily basis. For more information, please visit www.firstwatch.com.