FSR January 2023

NEX TGEN TRENDSE T TERS

plier partners is criti cal not only to success, especially in the current environment with infla tion and supply chain pressures, but also to the ability to push boundaries and inno vate,” Taha-Rippett says. This strategy has paid dividends; over the years, First Watch has sussed out under the-radar ingredients and flavors like cho rizo-spiced cauliflower, which is featured in the Cauli-Rizo Tacos, and butterfly pea flower, which is blended in the Purple Haze juice. In that time, the brand has also fostered relationships with larger, premium suppliers like Mike’s Hot Honey and Sambazon Acai, while making a point to work with smaller, lesser known purveyors, too. For example, the break sourced from Mujeres in Café (Women in Coffee), a collective of female owned and operated coffee farms in Colom bia. It also taps fam ily-owned Sugarman of Vermont for its maple syrup supply. “It’s important to our business to find niche partners who can grow with us, supporting their business and communi ties, while serving a great product to our guests,” Taha-Rippett says. She also points out another integral group in the supply chain that’s often overlooked, fast concept’s Proj ect Sunrise coffee is

namely the delivery per sonnel (or “last-mile drivers,” as she puts it), who bring the ingredi ents fresh to the back door. “They’re the too-often-unsung heroes who con sistently reinforce the importance of true partner ship at every level of our business,” she says. And indeed all points along the supply chain will be vital in 2023. First Watch is aiming to grow its bar program and introduce more global flavors into its LTO menu, even in the face of mounting inflation and possible sourcing challenges. For as Taha Rippett puts it, “We’re problem-solvers at heart. We find a way.”

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: COLLABORATE WITH YOUR INTERNAL

DEPARTMENTS AND EXTERNAL PARTNERS.

FIRST WATCH SHOWCASES FRESH FLAVORS THROUGH INGREDIENTS LIKE MIKE’S HOT HONEY

(ABOVE) AND MADE-IN HOUSE CHORIZO-SPICED CAULIFLOWER (INSET).

FIRST WATCH (2)

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FSRMAGAZ INE .COM

JANUARY 2023