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First Watch is classified under MCC 5812 (Eating places and Restaurants). The best card for First Watch purchases is the Ink Business Cash (no annual fee), earning 5x on eating places and restaurants — an effective return of 10.25%.
The MCC code 5812 for First Watch is crucial for dining rewards enthusiasts, especially those using cards with enhanced earning categories like the Hilton Honors Aspire Card.
Pro Tip
To maximize your rewards, sync your First Watch visits with promotional periods where the Hilton Honors Aspire Card offers even higher point multipliers.
When you pay at First Watch at their locations, your card issuer sees MCC 5812 in the transaction data. This code tells your bank that the purchase was made at a eating places and restaurants merchant. Bonus reward rates on your card apply based on this MCC — not the merchant name itself.
If your card earns bonus points on "eating places and restaurants" purchases, First Watch transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not First Watch specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any First Watch transaction by checking your card's mobile app or statement. Some issuers display the merchant category alongside the transaction details. For the most accurate information, contact your card issuer's customer service and ask whether MCC 5812 qualifies for bonus rewards.
Merchant Category Code 5812 is assigned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) to classify businesses in the Eating places and Restaurants industry. Issuers use MCCs to determine which transactions qualify for bonus reward rates. When a merchant is assigned MCC 5812, all qualifying card programs that include eating places and restaurants as a bonus category will apply the elevated earn rate.
The Dining industry group encompasses several related MCCs. Not all merchants in a similar business will share the same MCC — for example, a grocery store inside a warehouse club may code as wholesale ({"5300"}) rather than grocery ({"5411"}). Always verify with your issuer if you're unsure whether a specific merchant qualifies for bonus rewards on your card.
Other Eating places and Restaurants Merchants (MCC 5812)
Spending $200/month at First Watch with the Ink Business Cash (5x on eating places and restaurants) earns approximately $120/year in rewards. A basic 1% card earns $24 on the same spending. That is $96 more per year with no annual fee.
Prefer no annual fee? The Custom Cash earns 5x at First Watch merchants, earning $120/year with no annual fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What MCC code does First Watch use?
First Watch uses MCC 5812 (Eating places and Restaurants). This code is assigned by card networks and determines which bonus reward categories apply when you pay at First Watch.
Which credit card earns the most rewards at First Watch?
The Ink Business Cash earns 5x on eating places and restaurants purchases (MCC 5812), making it the highest-earning option at First Watch among the cards we track.
Does my card earn bonus rewards at First Watch?
It depends on your card's bonus categories. If your card earns bonus rewards on eating places and restaurants purchases, First Watch transactions (MCC 5812) will typically qualify. Check your card's terms or app, or call your issuer to confirm.
Is First Watch classified as eating places and restaurants for credit card purposes?
Yes. First Watch is classified under MCC 5812, which falls in the Eating places and Restaurants category. This means cards with eating places and restaurants bonus categories will apply the elevated earn rate at First Watch.
What is MCC 5812 and what merchants use it?
MCC 5812 stands for Eating places and Restaurants. It is assigned to businesses that primarily operate in sit-down and fast-casual restaurants. Besides First Watch, other merchants in the same MCC include similar businesses in the dining industry group.
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Full disclosure
MCC data based on card network classification standards.
Rankings verified monthly from official card issuer terms.
Last verified: March 16, 2026.
Full methodology: www.pointspick.com/methodology.
