How does each Cooperative vote within the Noodles & Company system?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The following provisions shall apply to each Cooperative:
- (a) each Cooperative shall utilize a voting system of one (1) vote per one (1) eligible Noodles & Company Restaurant (an eligible Restaurant shall be one that is open and operating at the time of the vote);
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 99–350)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Noodles & Company FDD, each Cooperative uses a voting system where each eligible Noodles & Company restaurant gets one vote. To be eligible, a restaurant must be open and operating at the time of the vote. This means that the voting power within the Cooperative is directly tied to the number of operational Noodles & Company restaurants each member has.
This structure ensures that larger franchisees or Noodles & Company itself, if it owns restaurants within the Cooperative's area, have a proportionally larger say in the Cooperative's decisions. For a prospective franchisee, this means that their individual vote will carry less weight compared to those with multiple locations or the company-owned restaurants.
The Cooperative's purpose is to administer marketing programs and develop promotional materials, subject to Noodles & Company's approval. All marketing and promotional plans must be approved by Noodles & Company, ensuring brand consistency. Franchisees must participate in the Cooperative and contribute financially, following a structure established by Noodles & Company. This contribution goes towards marketing expenditures, but franchisees may also need to participate in special promotions and pay additional fees.