NOODLES & COMPANY
Noodles & Company franchises fast-casual restaurants specializing in noodle dishes, salads, soups, desserts, breads, beverages, and related merchandise. Franchisees enter into area development agreements to develop and operate multiple restaurants (minimum three-unit commitment), offering in-restaurant dining, patio seating, delivery, and carry-out services while adhering to the franchisor's menu, design, and operational standards. The business targets the general public for personal consumption in a highly competitive restaurant industry against fast-casual, fast food, full-service eateries, and grocery stores.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
5% royalty + 0% ABDF (brand fund) + 1.25% MAF + 1% FMF (local) + $1,000/mo technology support
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 90 Franchise-owned restaurants open and operating during the 52-week period ended December 31, 2024
* Franchise average gross profit and EBITDA were derived by applying the expense percentages (Cost of Sales 25.8%, Labor 33.3%, Controllable Expenses 14.0%, Occupancy Cost 9.9%, Non-Controllable Expenses 6.1%) from the Company-owned Restaurant P&L (Page 3) to the Franchise Average Net Sales of $1,255,113 (Page 1). A 5% royalty fee (5% of $1,255,113 = $62,755.65) was then deducted from the calculated EBITDA before royalties, as instructed in Item 19, Note 9 (Page 4), to reflect a franchisee's expenses. Net Income and Net Profit could not be calculated due to a lack of information on interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization for franchisees.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How NOODLES & COMPANY Compares to Other Fast Casual Franchises
Key Insights
- Higher investment than 75% of Fast Casual franchises
- Higher than average SBA loan default rate in Fast Casual
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
NOODLES & COMPANY Current | $669K - $1.4M | $35K | 5.0% | 92 |
| Tropical Smoothie Cafe | $300K - $721K | $35K | 6.0% | 1,371 |
| TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFÉ | $300K - $721K | $35K | 6.0% | 1,371 |
| FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) | $379K - $1.4M | $20K | 6.0% | 1,248 |
| Zaxby's | $1.4M - $3.8M | $35K | 6.0% | 826 |
| Qdoba | $548K - $1.3M | $40K | 5.0% | 652 |
Fast Casual Average 107 franchises | $532K - $1.2M | $39K | 5.6% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 107 Fast Casual franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+5 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for NOODLES & COMPANY franchisees (2015 - 2024)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
No litigation involving franchisees reported in the FDD.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a NOODLES & COMPANY franchise?
The total initial investment to open a NOODLES & COMPANY franchise ranges from $669,000 to $1,412,000. This includes a franchise fee of $35,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 5.0% of gross sales.
How much revenue does a NOODLES & COMPANY franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a NOODLES & COMPANY franchise is $1,255,113. The median revenue is $1,198,274.
How many NOODLES & COMPANY franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, NOODLES & COMPANY has 92 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 2003.
Can you get an SBA loan for a NOODLES & COMPANY franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for NOODLES & COMPANY franchises. Historical data shows 6 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for NOODLES & COMPANY franchisees, with an average loan amount of $657,100. The historical default rate is 0.0%.
Is NOODLES & COMPANY a good franchise to buy?
NOODLES & COMPANY shows several positive indicators: transparent financial performance data (Item 19), low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
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