What must a Noodles & Company franchisee do with advertising and promotion materials not prepared or previously approved by the franchisor and which vary from the standard materials?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You may only use marketing, advertising and promotional materials approved by us in writing. You may use marketing, advertising and promotional materials developed by you upon our prior written approval of the materials. If approved, such materials will become the property of Noodles & Company.
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, franchisees can develop their own marketing, advertising, and promotional materials, but they must obtain prior written approval from Noodles & Company before using them. If Noodles & Company approves these franchisee-developed materials, they become the property of Noodles & Company.
This policy ensures that all marketing efforts align with the brand's standards and image. By requiring approval, Noodles & Company maintains control over how its brand is presented to the public, which is a common practice in franchising. This helps to protect brand consistency and avoid potentially damaging or ineffective advertising.
For a prospective Noodles & Company franchisee, this means that while there is an opportunity to create custom marketing materials, it is essential to factor in the time and effort required to gain approval. Franchisees should also be aware that Noodles & Company will own any approved marketing materials they develop. This may influence a franchisee's decision to invest in creating their own materials versus utilizing those provided by the franchisor.