First Watch Serves “Ice Cream for Breakfast” with Graeter’s
June 21, 2026
Two fan-favorite brands team up to make mornings even sweeter this summer
CINCINNATI, Ohio, June 21, 2026 – It’s ice cream time, Ohio! First Watch is kicking off summer with a sweet twist as they team up with hometown favorite, Graeter’s, to serve ice cream for breakfast. From June 21 to July 5, kids dining at participating Ohio First Watch restaurants will score a free scoop of Graeter’s Birthday Bash Ice Cream with any Kids Menu purchase, while supplies last.
“Ice cream is one of those things that instantly feels like summer, and we’re always looking for ways to make the mornings feel a little more special,” said Shane Schaibly, Senior Vice President of Culinary Strategy at First Watch. “We’re excited to join our friends at Graeter’s to bring a surprise to the table. There’s something fun about ice cream showing up earlier in the day than you’d expect and it’s the perfect start to a summer morning.”
A free scoop of Graeter’s Birthday Bash Ice Cream will come with the purchase of any Kids Menu item and is automatically served on the side. Beyond the treat, each scoop helps make a difference. As part of their ongoing collaboration with Pelotonia Kids, First Watch proudly donates 25 cents from every kids meal sold to support innovative pediatric cancer research.
“When First Watch asked us to get involved, we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate summer,” said Richard Graeter, fourth-generation president and CEO, Graeter’s. “This partnership brings together two family favorites to surprise kids with ice cream for breakfast while helping support pediatric cancer research through Pelotonia Kids.”
For an extra scoop of fun: First Watch will host a Sundae Fundae event.
?Sunday, June 21, 12-2 p.m. at the First Watch Mason restaurant (5050 Deerfield Blvd.)
During the event, Graeter’s famous ice cream truck will be on-site to serve free scoops of their S’mores and signature Black Raspberry Chip flavors. Ice cream is available while supplies last with proof of same-day purchase from First Watch.
Get yours before the summer melts away. To see participating locations and more information, visit https://firstwatch.com/graeters-collab.
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About First Watch
First Watch is the leading Daytime Dining concept serving made-to-order breakfast, brunch and lunch using the freshest ingredients available. Guided by its “Follow the Sun” culinary philosophy, First Watch’s chef-driven menu rotates multiple times per year to feature the highest-quality flavors at their peak, offering elevated executions of classic favorites, fresh juices like the Kale Tonic, and fan favorites such as the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Quinoa Power Bowl and signature Million Dollar Bacon. For every kid’s meal served, First Watch proudly donates a portion to organizations and causes making a positive impact to our communities – raising approximately $2.0 million to date. A recipient of many “Best Breakfast” and “Best Brunch” awards, First Watch was voted #1 Best Breakfast by Newsweek’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2025, and also named 2025 and 2024’s #1 Most Loved Workplace in America by the Best Practice Institute – an accolade most recently featured in The Wall Street Journal – after appearing on the list in 2022 and 2023, as well. With a commitment to quality, hospitality and community, First Watch is redefining Daytime Dining across more than 640 First Watch restaurants in 32 states. For more information, visit www.firstwatch.com.
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About Graeter’s
Since 1870, five generations of the Graeter family have remained committed to handcrafting only the most indulgent ice cream available. From humble beginnings serving ice cream from a cart in Cincinnati to the nationwide presence of Graeter’s Ice Cream today, the family has stayed true to the traditional “French Pot” method and is the only company in the world that still makes ice cream at scale this way. Graeter’s has 60 retail stores and ships more than 300,000 pints annually. The brand can also be found in more than 2,000 grocery stores in 30 states. www.graeters.com
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