Noodles & Company
Food & Beverage · Fast-Casual Restaurants
- Active units
- 83
- Avg unit volume
- $1.3M
- Royalty
- 5.0%
Franchised, year-end 2025
Average Franchise Net Sales for the 52-week period ended December 30, 2025
of weekly Net Sales
About Noodles & Company
Noodles & Company is a fast-casual restaurant chain based in the United States, specializing in dishes inspired by various cuisines around the world. Founded in 1995 in Denver, Colorado, the company quickly gained popularity for its diverse menu options and its unique concept of serving noodles with different flavors, sauces, and toppings. The headquarters of Noodles & Company is located in Broomfield, Colorado. The company operates over 400 restaurants across the United States, with a presence in 29 states. Additionally, it has a small international presence, with a few locations in Canada. Noodles & Company offers a wide range of dishes, including noodle bowls, pasta, salads, and soups, with flavors inspired by American, Asian, and Mediterranean cuisines. Customers can customize their meals by choosing from various noodles, sauces, and protein options. In terms of market position, Noodles & Company is a well-established player in the fast-casual dining sector. It competes with other similar chains like Panera Bread, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and Qdoba Mexican Eats. While the company's global sales are not as significant as its domestic sales, it continues to expand and explore international markets for growth opportunities. One noteworthy event in Noodles & Company's history was its initial public offering (IPO) in 2013 when the company went public on the Nasdaq stock exchange. This helped the brand raise capital for expansion and further strengthen its market position. In recent years, Noodles & Company has focused on menu innovation to cater to changing consumer preferences and dietary needs. The company has introduced more plant-based and gluten-free options to its menu, aligning with the growing demand for healthier dining choices. As of the latest available information, Noodles & Company continues to operate and expand its presence across the United States. It has recently opened new locations and aims to continue its growth trajectory in the fast-casual dining segment. However, specific updates or key information beyond this may not be available within the given parameters.
Key terms
- Franchise fee
$35k
- Brand fund
1.8% of Net Sales
- Local advertising
1.0% of Net Sales
- Footprint
1,500 – 2,600 sq ft
- Area Development Agreement – Development Fee (first restaurant)
$35k
- Area Development Agreement – Development Fee (each additional restaurant)
$10k
Brand Percentile Rankings
Rankings compare brands in the same operating year. Fee and investment figures come from the FDD (2026 filing); filings on file: 2024, 2025, 2026.
Growth
- Total locations—
Franchised units open at year-end
- New openings—
Gross new units opened during the calendar year
- 1-year unit growth rate—
Net unit growth versus prior year
- 3-year unit CAGR—
Compound annual growth rate of unit count over the trailing 3 years
- Unit growth ratio—
Cumulative opens / closures through year-end
Unit economics
- Annual unit volume (Median)$1.3M
Average Franchise Net Sales for the 52-week period ended December 30, 2025
- Annual unit volume (25th percentile)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- Annual unit volume (75th percentile)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- 1-year Median AUV growth rate5.1%
Year-over-year change in median AUV
- Store-level EBITDA Margin—
Median unit-level EBITDA / AUV
Investment profile
- Estimated initial investment$1.4M
Midpoint of estimated initial investment range
↓ Lower is better - Time to open9 months
Midpoint of average time from agreement to opening
↓ Lower is better - Royalty rate5.0%
Percent of net sales paid to the franchisor
↓ Lower is better - Sales-to-investment ratio1.0×
Median AUV / estimated initial investment midpoint
- Cash-on-cash returns—
Median unit-level EBITDA / estimated initial investment midpoint. Steady-state estimate; year 1 returns will be lower as the unit ramps to median volumes.
Franchisee healthLocked
- Unit closure ratio
- Transfer vs. closure ratio
- Percent multi-unit franchisees
- Litigation rate
- EBITDA multiple on sales & transfers
Create your free Glidepath account to access full brand information.
Sources
Financial and operating figures are sourced from the brand's Franchise Disclosure Documents. Brand percentile rankings are based on comparisons to other brands that include the same metrics in their Franchise Disclosure Documents.