What factors does Noodles & Company consider when determining whether to approve a site?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Before you acquire, by lease or purchase, any site for a Noodles & Company restaurant, you must submit a complete Site Package to us. We will provide training to you to assist you in completing a typical Site Package for your first restaurant. We will review each Site Package and determine whether to approve the site after considering factors we deem appropriate, including the general location and neighborhood, demographic information, site economics, traffic patterns, access, visibility, location of other restaurants and food establishments, size, configuration, signage and trade dress that is available, appearance and other physical and non-physical characteristics of the site. If we approve the site, we will deliver to you a signed Site Approval Form. We will use reasonable efforts to make a site approval decision within 45 days after we acknowledge receipt of a complete Site Package and any other materials we have requested. However, this timeframe is an estimate and may be subject to delays depending on market conditions or additional due diligence requirements. (Area Development Agreement, Section 3.02; Franchise Agreement, Section 3.01).
Neither our approval of the premises nor any information communicated to you regarding our standard site selection criteria for Noodles & Company restaurants will constitute a warranty or representation of any kind, express or implied, as to the suitability of the site for a Noodles & Company restaurant. Our approval of the proposed site merely signifies that we are willing to grant a franchise for a Noodles & Company restaurant at the site. The decision to enter into a lease or purchase agreement for a site is solely the responsibility of the franchisee. Noodles & Company is not responsible for financial outcomes associated with site selection. Your Noodles & Company restaurant may not be closed or relocated without first obtaining our written consent. (Franchise Agreement, Section 2.01; Area Development Agreement, Section 3.02).
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 36–48)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Noodles & Company's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, several factors are considered when determining whether to approve a site for a new restaurant. Before acquiring a site, franchisees must submit a complete Site Package to Noodles & Company for review. Noodles & Company may offer training to assist franchisees in preparing this package for their first restaurant.
Noodles & Company will then review the submitted Site Package, considering factors they deem appropriate. These factors include the general location and neighborhood, demographic information, site economics, traffic patterns, access, visibility, the location of other restaurants and food establishments, the site's size and configuration, available signage and trade dress, appearance, and other physical and non-physical characteristics. Noodles & Company aims to make a decision within 45 days of receiving a complete Site Package, though this timeframe is subject to potential delays due to market conditions or additional due diligence.
It is important to note that Noodles & Company's site approval does not constitute a warranty or representation regarding the site's suitability. The approval merely indicates a willingness to grant a franchise at that location, and the franchisee bears the ultimate responsibility for the financial outcomes associated with site selection. Franchisees are advised to conduct their own due diligence and consult with professional advisors before making any site selection decisions. Additionally, franchisees cannot close or relocate their Noodles & Company restaurant without prior written consent from Noodles & Company, ensuring continued adherence to the franchisor's site criteria.