CEO writes hundreds of thank you notes to staff and still eats in the break room—which 'always, for whatever reason, blows new employees away'

First Watch CEO Chris Tomasso holding his fist up at the New York Stock Exchange (Credit: Courtesy of First Watch)

In an era of AI avatars and digital overload, something as simple as a handwritten note can feel like a relic of the past. In fact, many Gen Zers can’t even read cursive.

But for First Watch CEO Chris Tomasso, old-fashioned notes of appreciation are a ritual.