Why businesses like First Watch are turning to Acoustical Tin Ceilings
Written by Milan Jara on 16th Oct 2025
Dining in 2025 is about more than just great food, it’s about creating an inviting and comfortable atmosphere and a second-to-none guest experience. Restaurant chains like First Watch understand that design plays a major role in that experience, especially when it comes to acoustics, and with more than 535 locations in 29 states, they’re probably onto something!
Recently, First Watch introduced dropped-down acoustical tin ceilings to make dining rooms feel open yet intimate as part of their “Connect” prototype, with both the aesthetics and acoustics playing a big role in their decision-making. *1
In this blog post, we explore how innovative perforated tin ceiling tiles find the perfect balance of style, sound control and sustainability while being a durable, practical and Class A fire rated option for commercial spaces. We’ll look at why more restaurants are turning to these modern upgrades for their timeless look, functional benefits, and the ability to transform a noisy space into a calm, welcoming environment with a high level of customer satisfaction.
Perforated tin ceilings: the secret weapon for restaurant acoustics
As obvious as it might sound, the ceiling is usually the largest continuous hard surface in a restaurant, and when untreated (as they often are), it’ll reflect sound and create echoes. This reverberation can result in a noisy space and a far less enjoyable experience for diners. *2
Stepping into 2025, modern hospitality interior design looks at the ceiling as an acoustic surface, not just a decorative one, and businesses like First Watch are showcasing how to find the perfect balance.
Acoustic ceiling tiles aren’t something new to First Watch. Their restaurants were originally fitted out with traditional acoustic ceiling tiles, although putting the dull aesthetics of these panels aside, they have other challenges.
Traditional acoustic panels are prone to staining, sagging if there’s ever a leak, and a lot of the time, these panels are discontinued and can’t be replaced, hence the reason you’ll notice a lot of mismatching tiles at restaurants and bars. These issues are a major reason why businesses are turning to perforated tin or faux tin ceiling tiles instead.
Pressed-metal or tin ceilings have been popular for over a century due to their historic charm and luxurious appearance, and in recent years they’ve re-emerged with acoustic technology. Now that these beautiful, traditional-looking looking and incredibly functional ceiling panels are fitted with acoustic technology, they’ve become a go-to option for commercial ceiling upgrades!
What does this mean for commercial interiors:
Commercial spaces no longer need to compromise between the look & feel or functionality of their ceilings, but can now achieve both with these panels that are aesthetically brilliant and available in a wide range of styles, patterns and colors while being a key part of the overall acoustic design.
Businesses are moving away from basic, maintenance-heavy acoustic tiles and instead choosing modern options like perforated tin panels that combine style, durability and sound control.
Acoustical Tin Tiles: Modern upgrade to classic Tin Ceilings
Traditional tin ceilings hero early-20th-century craftsmanship with stamped patterns, warm metallic tones, and artisanal, ornate details. In settings like First Watch’s dining spaces, they can add visual texture and delight that complements the relaxed, hand-crafted feel of their interior style and palette, which incorporates light wood tones, neutral fabrics and plenty of daylight.
However, metal alone normally amplifies noise and that’s why restaurants and commercial spaces are going one step further with acoustical perforated tin ceiling tiles with a sound-absorbing insulating pad. The acoustic benefits come from micro-perforation technology, where each tile contains thousands of almost invisible holes that allow sound waves to pass through to a sound-absorbing layer/insulating backing.
The result is a ceiling system that can achieve a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of up to 0.85, more-or-less meaning that it absorbs 85 % of the sound energy, perfect for busy brunch settings like at First Watch. *3
A great example of these acoustical panels is the County Cork 2 × 2 ft Acoustical Perforated Tin Ceiling Tile with LEED-Certified Insulating Pad, which is currently available right here at DecorativeCeilingTiles.net.
How this technology improves the First Watch customer experience
Noise is one of the most common complaints in restaurants. *4 Studies show that poor acoustics increase stress and discomfort for both guests and staff, while spaces that are well-designed for acoustics will encourage longer stays and provide higher satisfaction. *5
Here’s how the innovative acoustical tin panels help to make for a better guest experience in commercial spaces like First Watch:
- Comfort without losing energy
Places like First Watch thrive on a lively atmosphere that comes from exciting morning chatter and the clinking of coffee cups, but the diners need to be able to hear each other and shouldn’t have to raise their voices. By installing perforated tin ceilings with acoustic pads, designers can preserve the energetic soundscape made by the customers while softening the harshness of the noise that’s typical of open layouts. - Acoustics without compromising on aesthetics
Acoustics are incredibly important for a great dining experience in places like Fast Watch and Tin ceilings in finishes like copper or painted white, which pair well with First Watch’s bright wood furnishings and matte-black fixtures. By having the tin panels treated with the perforations and sound-absorbing pad, the restaurant can achieve its desired look and feel while creating a calm ambience with the right acoustics. Say goodbye to plain, outdated and boring traditional panels! - Durability and sustainability
Tin panels already resist moisture, sagging, and discoloration, making them ideal for commercial spaces. They can be wiped clean with ease, repainted or individually replaced, which a big operational benefit for fast-growing restaurant chains like Fast Watch.
On top of the day-to-day and operational advantages, the LEED-certified pad is a sustainable option as they’re made with 90% recycled materials. *3 - Class A Fire Rated
They’re naturally fire resistant and Class A Fire Rated and approved for commercial installation in restaurants, hotels and stores. *3 - Perfect for retrofits or new builds
The panels come in the standard 2x2 ft dimensions and they fit existing suspension grids or nail-up systems, allowing businesses like First Watch or other similar entities to phase in the installations, reducing restaurant downtime.
Wrapping Up
In the modern-day and age that we live in, customers are looking for a great experience, rather than just a great end-product. This is why businesses like Fast Watch are turning to perforated tin tiles, as they achieve both aesthetics and acoustical goals while being a highly durable, sustainable and Class A fire rated option.
If you have any questions about our range of perforated tin panels or anything else on our website, please feel free to contact our team of experts and start a conversation today.
References
- * Blog Post Feature Image sourced from:
https://investors.firstwatch.com/news-releases/news-release-details/viva-las-breakfast-first-watch-makes-nevada-debut-new-craig-road - *1 - Nation’s Restaurant News: “First Watch Updates Look, Expands Reach”:
https://www.nrn.com/restaurant-insights/first-watch-updates-look-expands - *2 - Kenneth P. Roy, PhD. “Satisfying Hunger, Thirst, and Acoustic Comfort in Restaurants, Diners, and Bars... Is This an Oxymoron?”:
https://acousticstoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Satisfying-Hunger-Thirst-and-Acoustic-Comfort-in-Restaurants-Diners-and-Bars...-Is-This-an-Oxymoron-Kenneth-P.-Roy.pdf - *3 - Decorative Ceiling Tiles: “County Cork 2×2 Shanko Acoustical Perforated Tin Ceiling Tiles”:
https://www.decorativeceilingtiles.net/acoustic-panels/county-cork-2-ft-x-2-ft-shanko-acoustical-perforated-tin-ceiling-tiles-with-leed-certified-insulating-pad-509-pack-of-20-80-sqft/ - *4 - Flavour Journal: “Noise is currently the second most common complaint among restaurant-goers”:
https://flavourjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2044-7248-3-9 - *5 - Hospitality Insights (EHL): “How Acoustic Design Shapes the Guest Experience”:
https://hospitalityinsights.ehl.edu/acoustic-design-guest-experience -
Additional sources used to aid research and writing
- *6 - Architectural Record: “Soaring Ceilings to Sound-Soothing Spaces: 7 Smart Ways Architects Are Using Metal Panels This Summer”:
https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/17546-soaring-ceilings-to-sound-soothing-spaces-7-smart-ways-architects-are-using-metal-panels-this-summer - *7 - MetalArchitecture.com: “Metal Ceilings: Aesthetics Plus Acoustics”:
https://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/metal-ceilings-aesthetics-plus-acoustics/ - *8 - ScienceDirect.com - Chen, L., “Acoustic Comfort in Large Dining Spaces.”:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003682X1630264X
