Ken Pendery, the co-founder and longtime leader of First Watch Restaurants Inc., died March 4 of Multiple System Atrophy, a rare neurological disorder, the company said. He was 70.
Pendery retired from the company's board in 2022 after 38 years with the Bradenton, Fla.-based breakfast, brunch and lunch concept. He and co-founder John Sullivan moved the company's operations from California to Florida in the mid-1980s.
Pendery’s words still grace the walls of the company’s headquarters: "Culture is integrity. It's honesty. It's respect."
Pendery assumed the role of CEO in the late '90s. During his time at the helm, First Watch grew from about 50 restaurants in 1998 to more than 330 in 2018, when he transitioned from CEO to executive chairman.
After working together for a dozen years, successor and current CEO and President Chris Tomasso continued the successful expansion to more than 450 restaurants by the time Pendery stepped down from the board of directors four years later. Today, First Watch operates more than 520 restaurants in 29 states.
"Ken's impact and influence is – and will forever be – felt throughout our organization," said Tomasso in a statement. "He was a mentor and dear friend, and the epitome of the 'You First' culture our company is built upon. Everyone who crossed his path is better for it. Our hearts go out to his family, and we will carry his memory fondly."
Pendery's legacy lives on through First Watch's "5 Steps of Service," first written on the back of a napkin in 1987, and his 10 Commandments (now "Commitments"). Beginning with "Welcome with warmth" and ending with "Act with infectious positivity," the tenets are trained and practiced in each restaurant.
He was honored with a Nation’s Restaurant News Golden Chain award in 2008.
Pendery is survived by his wife, Jenny; two children, Trey (Maureen) and Libby (Kevin); and four grandchildren, Woods, Nora, Sita and Red. A private service will take place later this month, the company said.
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