Who bears the cost of the food safety audits required for a Noodles & Company franchise?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
To further ensure quality and safety standards, you shall also participate in our then-current food safety audit program and have food safety audits conducted at your Noodles & Company Restaurants at least once every six months at your sole cost. In the event the results of any such audit are not satisfactory to Noodles & Company, as determined it our sole discretion, you may be required, at your own cost, to have your Restaurant re-audited upon notice by us. You shall, at our request, participate in an alcoholic beverage server training program approved by Noodles & Company in its sole discretion. Failure to meet these obligations in a timely manner is a material breach of this Agreement and a material default hereunder.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 99–350)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Noodles & Company Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for the cost of food safety audits. Franchisees must participate in Noodles & Company's food safety audit program and have these audits conducted at their restaurants at least once every six months, bearing the cost themselves.
Furthermore, if a food safety audit yields unsatisfactory results, as determined by Noodles & Company, the franchisee may be required to have their restaurant re-audited. This re-audit is also at the franchisee's expense.
Additionally, franchisees must participate in an alcoholic beverage server training program approved by Noodles & Company, if requested. Failure to meet these obligations related to food safety and training in a timely manner constitutes a material breach of the Franchise Agreement.