Besides the Protected Area, what radius around a Noodles & Company Restaurant is considered off-limits for competitive business activities?

According to Noodles & Company's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, during the term of the franchise agreement, franchisees are restricted from engaging in competitive business activities within certain areas. In addition to the Protected Area granted to the franchisee, Noodles & Company restricts franchisees from involvement in any Competitive Business within a 15-mile radius of their Noodles & Company Restaurant. This restriction also applies to a 15-mile radius of any other Noodles & Company Restaurant.

Furthermore, the non-compete extends to any Designated Market Area (as defined by Nielsen Media Research) where a Noodles & Company Restaurant is located. This means that franchisees are not allowed to own, maintain, advise, be employed by, consult for, make loans to, operate, engage in, or have an ownership interest in any Competitive Business within these defined areas.

These restrictions apply both during the term of the Franchise Agreement and for a period of two years after the agreement's expiration or termination. However, after this two-year period, the franchisee's obligations under these covenants cease. Noodles & Company also retains the right to reduce the scope of any covenant set forth in the agreement at its sole discretion, effective immediately upon written notice to the franchisee.