What activities is the Operating Partner of a Noodles & Company restaurant prohibited from engaging in?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Your Operating Partner: (a) shall exert full-time and best efforts to the development and operation of your Noodles & Company restaurants and all other Noodles & Company restaurants you own; and (b) may not engage in any other business or activity, directly or indirectly, that requires substantial management responsibility or time commitments or otherwise may conflict with your obligations hereunder. You agree to provide us with an executed copy of any arrangement, agreement, or contract, and all amendments thereto, with your Operating Partner. We shall have no responsibility, liability or obligation to any party to any such arrangement, agreement, or contract, or any amendments thereto, on account of our approval thereof or otherwise, and you agree to indemnify and hold us, and our Affiliates if applicable, harmless with respect thereto. Your Noodles & Company restaurants at all times must be managed by your Operating Partner or by an on-site general or assistant manager or a shift supervisor who has completed the appropriate training programs.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 99–350)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Noodles & Company's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Operating Partner must dedicate their full-time efforts to the development and operation of the Noodles & Company restaurants owned by the franchisee. This individual is a key figure, acting as the senior manager involved in the daily operations, the main point of contact for Noodles & Company, and someone with the authority to make operational decisions.
The Operating Partner is specifically prohibited from engaging in any other business or activity, whether directly or indirectly, that demands substantial management responsibility or time commitments. This restriction also applies to activities that may conflict with the obligations outlined in the franchise agreement. This is a fairly standard requirement in franchising, intended to ensure that the Operating Partner is fully dedicated to the success of the Noodles & Company business.
This requirement ensures that the Operating Partner's focus remains solely on the Noodles & Company restaurant, preventing divided attention or potential conflicts of interest. Prospective franchisees should carefully consider this when selecting their Operating Partner, ensuring the individual is prepared to commit fully to the Noodles & Company business. The franchisee must also provide Noodles & Company with a copy of any agreement with the Operating Partner.