Case Studies

First Watch

About First Watch

First Watch is a daytime dining restaurant concept serving made-to-order breakfast, brunch and lunch using fresh ingredients, with over 430 U.S locations in 28 states. Focusing on exceptional seasonal ingredients to deliver an experience that feels good and tastes even better. First Watch’s menu is packed with ingredients and flavors inspired by the position of the sun, with locally sourced ingredients.

Client

First Watch

Website

https://www.firstwatch.com/

The Challenge: Unifying Ordering, Reservations, and Admin Controls Across 430+ Locations

With more than 430 locations across 28 states, First Watch needed more than just a mobile app—they needed a scalable, centralized digital platform that could support:

Seamless online ordering
Real-time queue and reservation management
Dynamic content updates for menus, hours, and location-specific changes

The existing systems—Olo for ordering and Wisely for CRM and waitlist—were solid tools, but the challenge was integrating them into a smooth, branded user experience across both iOS and Android. On top of that, First Watch needed a solution that allowed non-technical admins to easily manage updates across hundreds of locations.

The Solution: A Custom, Cross-Platform Mobile App Built for Speed and Scale

Switchbox partnered with First Watch to develop a robust mobile solution that brings together customer convenience and backend efficiency. The app was built using:

Ruby on Rails API for a stable, fast-performing backend
ReactJS front end compiled with Cordova to support simultaneous deployment on iOS and Android
Real-time integrations with Olo for online ordering and Wisely for queue and CRM functionality
An easy-to-use content management system, enabling corporate admins to make quick updates to menu items, hours of operation, and store-specific content

Customers can now place orders, join a waitlist, and find store information—all within a single, intuitive mobile interface.

The Outcome: A Customer-Centric App That Evolves With the Brand

Since launch, the First Watch mobile app has become a critical touchpoint in the brand’s digital strategy. Key outcomes include:

Faster, more flexible app deployment across both Android and iOS platforms
Real-time updates to accommodate curbside and contactless pickup in response to pandemic-era demand
Enhanced payment functionality, including split payments between gift cards and credit cards
Improved accessibility, with features added to meet WCAG compliance and expand usability

The app continues to evolve as First Watch scales, offering a seamless guest experience while making life easier for their internal operations team.

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The Technology & Services That Went Into Creating the First Watch Mobile App

Mobile Application

Geo-Search

Interactive Mapping