District 7 Councilman Cassius Lanier confirmed that the former Red Lobster location at 2620 McFarland Boulevard East will soon house a First Watch restaurant. The brunch‑and‑lunch chain, known as “The Daytime Café,” will fill the vacant space that has stood empty since Red Lobster closed in July 2024.
Local leadership drives economic renewal
In a Thursday morning call with the Tuscaloosa Thread, Lanier emphasized that replacing shuttered businesses is a top priority for his district. “As I always say in District 7, here we grow again,” he said. “We want to be a major economic corridor, and when a place like Red Lobster gets shuttered it’s really important to me to see something come and take its place. New‑to‑market businesses are important, too, and I’m just really excited to bring the First Watch brand to Tuscaloosa.”
What First Watch offers
First Watch markets itself as a daytime café, serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch before closing in the early afternoon. Typical hours run from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The menu rotates seasonally and includes staples such as the Godfather Bowl and Million Dollar Bacon. The chain began in 1983 in California, moved its headquarters to Florida in 1986, and now operates more than 600 locations across over 30 states.
Development timeline
The former Red Lobster closed after the seafood chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2024. Crews cleared the Tuscaloosa building in a single morning, and a “Closed” sign was posted on the door. Demolition of the old structure began this week, and developers already hold permits to construct the new First Watch restaurant. Lanier indicated that construction should move quickly once demolition is complete.
Impact on the community
The opening of First Watch is expected to create a number of jobs, both during construction and for ongoing restaurant operations. It also adds a family‑friendly dining option that aligns with the district’s goal of fostering a vibrant economic corridor along McFarland Boulevard. Local residents will have a new venue for breakfast and brunch, supporting the area’s shift toward daytime commerce.
Looking ahead
First Watch’s arrival follows a broader trend of national chains expanding into West Alabama, bringing brand‑recognizable options to smaller markets. Councilman Lanier’s proactive stance on attracting new‑to‑market businesses reflects a commitment to revitalizing vacant commercial properties and sustaining local employment.
For ongoing updates on restaurant and retail developments in West Alabama, readers are encouraged to stay connected with the Tuscaloosa Thread.
Original reporting: The Tuscaloosa Thread — read the source article.
