What court heard the case 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 Noodles & Company's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the case The State of Delaware, William French v. Card Compliant, LLC, et. al. was heard in the Delaware Superior Court, New Castle County. The case was filed under Case No. N13C-06-289 FSS.
The case, which named Noodles & Company as one of the defendants, was initially filed under seal on June 28, 2013, and later unsealed on March 24, 2014. The allegations centered around violations of the Delaware Abandoned Property Law and the Delaware False Claims and Reporting Act, specifically concerning unclaimed gift card funds.
The litigation was settled in August 2018. As part of the settlement, Noodles & Company paid $450,000 to the State of Delaware and $150,000 to William French. The action was subsequently dismissed, and both parties exchanged mutual releases. It is important to note that Noodles & Company did not admit any liability or wrongdoing in the settlement.