Executive Team Bios

Experience, accomplishment, and vision. Three words that describe our management team, and their track record of success and intelligent growth.

Kenneth L. Pendery, Jr.President and CEO

Kenneth L. Pendery, Jr. has been a key leader of First Watch Restaurants, Inc. for over 25 years. He has been instrumental in evolving the brand from a simple concept into a successful, multimillion dollar enterprise. Today, in his role as president and CEO, Ken ensures that the company’s principles are upheld daily. He leads the management team and collaborates with the board of directors to provide strategic leadership, establishing long-term goals, operational strategies and actionable plans and policies for continued growth and success. He is a restaurant-industry veteran with extensive executive experience, including the creation of several restaurant concepts throughout his career. Ken majored in Finance at the University of Indiana. He is an operator at heart and on most days, can be found in First Watch restaurants speaking with employees and greeting guests first hand.

Kenneth J. CruleyChief Financial Officer

In his role as Chief Financial Officer for First Watch Restaurants, Inc. Kenneth J. Cruley ensures the financial integrity and accountability of the company’s assets and data. In addition, he is responsible for managing the risk management, accounting, treasury and information technology departments. Ken possesses financial experience across many industries, including his role as adult senior manager with Deloitte Touche, LLP for more than 10 years. He learned the restaurant business by working with several national chains, including Outback Steakhouse, Inc., Hooters and Shells. He also worked with manufacturing clients such as Anchor Glass, American Holdings and Vitro, S.A. Ken holds a degree in Accounting from Florida State University and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Christopher A. TomassoChief Marketing Officer

A 15-year veteran of restaurant marketing, Chris Tomasso manages the development and execution of First Watch’s strategic marketing objectives. He oversees the marketing department and led the complete re-branding effort which included a new brand positioning platform, new restaurant prototype and new company logo and tagline. Chris previously served as Vice President of Marketing for Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., where he handled the company’s brand development, advertising, marketing and public relations. Chris also spent more than 10 years with Hard Rock Café International, one of the world’s most recognizable brands. There, he served as Vice President of Worldwide Marketing. Chris holds a degree in Journalism with a specialty in Advertising and Public Relations from the University of Central Florida.