What is the consideration received for executing the Noodles & Company agreement related to the Area Development Agreement?

According to the 2025 Noodles & Company FDD, the execution of the Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement by the Investor is a condition for Noodles & Company to enter into the Area Development Agreement. The FDD states that the Investor receives good and valuable consideration for executing this agreement. This agreement is required for individuals with legal or beneficial ownership interests in the Area Operator under certain circumstances, binding them to the confidentiality and non-competition covenants within the Area Development Agreement.

In simpler terms, if you're investing in or providing services to an Area Operator for Noodles & Company, you, as the Investor, must sign a Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement. By signing, you're agreeing to keep Noodles & Company's confidential information private and not to compete with them. In return for this agreement, Noodles & Company enters into the Area Development Agreement with the Area Operator.

This agreement protects Noodles & Company's trade secrets and confidential information, ensuring that investors or service providers associated with the Area Operator do not use this information to compete against them. For a prospective franchisee, this means that anyone with an ownership stake or providing operational services must legally commit to non-disclosure and non-competition, reinforcing the brand's protection within the developed area. The specific details of what constitutes 'good and valuable consideration' are not defined in this excerpt and should be clarified with Noodles & Company.