Does Noodles & Company currently mandate retail prices for Noodles & Company restaurants?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We will periodically issue specifications, standards, methods and operating procedures for Noodles & Company restaurants. (Franchise Agreement, Sections 4.02, 9 and 12); and, to the extent permitted by law, periodically recommend or require minimum or maximum prices for the products your Restaurant sells, including through the use of coupons, price point promotions, special promotions, Multi-Area Marketing Programs, and product launches. (Franchise Agreement, Section 10.06);
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 36–48)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Noodles & Company Franchise Disclosure Document, Noodles & Company does not currently mandate retail prices. However, to the extent permitted by law, Noodles & Company retains the right to periodically recommend or require minimum or maximum prices for the products your Restaurant sells. This includes the use of coupons, price point promotions, special promotions, Multi-Area Marketing Programs, and product launches.
This means that while Noodles & Company franchisees currently have some flexibility in setting prices, this could change in the future. Noodles & Company could implement pricing controls through various promotional strategies or direct mandates, depending on legal restrictions.
As a prospective franchisee, it's important to understand that Noodles & Company reserves the right to influence or control pricing strategies. While this may not be the current practice, franchisees should be prepared for potential changes in pricing policies and how those changes could impact profitability and competitiveness in their local markets.