Two breakfast and lunch locations of Atlanta-based J. Christopher’s are being acquired by a Florida-based chain looking to expand into the metro area.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but First Watch Restaurants, which also competes for the breakfast and lunch crowd, is acquiring the J. Christopher’s at 11720 Medlock Bridge Road in Johns Creek Village and at 1675 Cumberland Parkway in the Ivy Walk center in Smyrna.
First Watch’s deal with J. Christopher’s Restaurants LLC also includes the rights to purchase the licensing agreements for the 19 remaining J. Christopher’s locations, which means they could eventually become First Watch restaurants.
“Expanding First Watch into Atlanta is an integral component of our market development strategy following our recent successful expansion into Jacksonville (Fla.) and Nashville (Tenn.),” First Watch President and CEO Ken Pendery said in a statement. He said the deal will allow his chain to expand elsewhere in Georgia and the Southeast.
The existing management and staff in Johns Creek and Smyrna will work for the rebranded restaurants. Like J Christopher’s, First Watch restaurants are open from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.
The J. Christopher chain was founded in Marietta in 1996. Bradenton, Fla.-based First Watch, which has restaurants in 14 states, is about to open its 100th restaurant in Panama City, Fla.
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