Does Noodles & Company assume any liability regarding the maintenance, direction, or administration of the Advertising and Brand Development Funds (ABDF)?

According to the 2025 Noodles & Company Franchise Disclosure Document, Noodles & Company assumes no direct or indirect liability or obligation regarding the maintenance, direction, or administration of the Advertising and Brand Development Fund (ABDF), except as otherwise expressly provided in the Franchise Agreement. Noodles & Company does not act as a trustee or in any other fiduciary capacity regarding the ABDF.

Noodles & Company has sole discretion over all aspects of programs financed by the ABDF, including national or regional media, public relations, creative concepts, materials, endorsements, and agency relationships. While the ABDF is intended to maximize general recognition and patronage of the brand for the benefit of all Noodles & Company restaurants, Noodles & Company cannot assure franchisees that any particular restaurant will benefit directly or on a pro-rata basis from advertising, marketing, or public relations efforts.

The ABDF will be accounted for separately from Noodles & Company's other funds. While the intent is to balance the ABDF on an annual basis, it may run at either a surplus or deficit. Disbursements from the ABDF will be made first from income, then from rebates received from suppliers, and then from contributions. Noodles & Company may spend more or less than the aggregate contributions of all restaurants in any fiscal year, and the ABDF may borrow from Noodles & Company or other lenders to cover deficits or invest any surplus for future use. Noodles & Company will prepare an unaudited statement of monies collected and costs incurred by the ABDF annually and furnish a copy to franchisees upon request.