Not the best - Server/Waiter First Watch Employee Review

2.0
Sep 21, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good hours (no night shift, off at or before 3:30 pm most days) flexible schedule, employee discount. I guess there are benefits, not totally sure

Cons

Low pay for the amount of work you do. Communication is lacking. Training is chaotic they literally just throw you out there. Servers have to work at least 1 host shift per week (even on the weekend) making minimum wage and no tips. Not the cleanest - silverware and glasses are always filthy so unless you want customers to complain, you’ll also be washing dishes no matter how busy you are. Ridiculous. Tip outs for the bussers are a percentage of your SALES, not your total tips. So you can have a low tip day and still have to tip out $20 if your sales were high which is pretty unfair considering the restaurant owners make enough in sales to pay the bussers themselves, and the servers spend a lot of time bussing their own tables anyway. This is only 1 example of the restaurant being money hungry and only caring about making more sales, not the quality of the customer or employee experience. Management would add more tiny uncomfortable tables in an already cramped restaurant (during a PANDEMIC, tables are literally centimeters from each other) to be able to serve more customers, just to overwhelm servers and kitchen staff and have customers constantly complaining which affects our tips but they don’t care because they will make their money regardless. My manager wasn’t the nicest and really only cared about moving up the corporate latter. Overall not a good experience

Explore other reviews about First Watch

5.0
Jul 5, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great Place with Great People

Cons

None really. Everyone was nice to work with and respectable

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First Watch Response
2w
Thanks for your 5-Star review. We’re so happy you chose First Watch as your employer and enjoy the environment and people you work with! Thanks again for the review – we appreciate you.
3.0
Jun 5, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The store is only open until 2:30 so you’re guaranteed your nights off. The menu is fairly easy to learn and the seasonal menu doesn’t change that often.

Cons

Could be my stores location, but we are constantly fighting for hours and tables. There’s not enough income for all here. And when it’s brought up to management they say it’s our “slow season” but turn around and hired three more servers. Also the meanest clientele that I have ever worked with. Very demanding with little patience, and either bad tips ($2-$4) or no tips at all. Especially on large parties. I have spoke to many employees who have worked 3+ years for the company and many of them want to leave. Too often those that don’t do their work are rewarded and it’s put on the shoulders of those that do.

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First Watch Response
1mo
We appreciate your feedback here. While we're glad you enjoy the daytime-only hours, it's helpful to understand your concerns too. If you wouldn't mind calling our anonymous employee hotline at 844-484-8963, we'd love to follow up and better understand and address your concerns where possible. Any feedback helps us, and we're grateful for yours.
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