What was the case number for the litigation involving Noodles & Company and William French?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ITEM 3 LITIGATION
The State of Delaware, William French v. Card Compliant, LLC, et. al., Case No. N13C-06-289 FSS (Del. Super. Ct., New Castle County)
Noodles & Company was named as one of the defendants in an action initially filed under seal on June 28, 2013 and unsealed on March 24, 2014. The complaint alleged that defendants knowingly violated the Delaware Abandoned Property Law by failing to report and deliver "unclaimed gift card funds" to the State of Delaware, and knowingly made, used or caused to be made or used, false statements and records to conceal, avoid or decrease an obligation to pay or transmit money to Delaware in violation of the Delaware False Claims and Reporting Act. The complaint sought an order that defendants cease and desist from violating the Delaware False Claims and Reporting Act, unspecified monetary damages (including treble damages under the False Claims and Reporting Act), penalties, and attorneys' fees and costs.
This litigation was settled in August 2018. In the settlement, Noodles & Company paid $450,000 to the State of Delaware and $150,000 to William French, the relator in the action; the action was dismissed, and the parties exchanged mutual releases. Noodles & Company did
Source: Item 3 — LITIGATION (FDD page 16)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Noodles & Company Franchise Disclosure Document, the case number for the litigation involving Noodles & Company and William French was Case No. N13C-06-289 FSS (Del. Super. Ct., New Castle County). The case, The State of Delaware, William French v. Card Compliant, LLC, et. al., was initially filed under seal on June 28, 2013, and unsealed on March 24, 2014.
The complaint alleged violations of the Delaware Abandoned Property Law due to the failure to report and deliver unclaimed gift card funds to the State of Delaware. It also alleged the use of false statements and records to conceal or avoid obligations to pay money to Delaware, violating the Delaware False Claims and Reporting Act. The complaint sought an order to cease violations, unspecified monetary damages (including treble damages), penalties, and attorneys' fees and costs.
The litigation was settled in August 2018, with Noodles & Company paying $450,000 to the State of Delaware and $150,000 to William French. The action was subsequently dismissed, and mutual releases were exchanged. Noodles & Company did not admit liability or wrongdoing as part of the settlement.