Can a Noodles & Company franchisee execute a lease, lease extension, sublease or purchase contract or any modification thereof without approval?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You may not execute a lease, lease extension, sublease or purchase contract or any modification thereof without our approval.
Our approval of the lease, lease extension, sublease or purchase contract does not constitute a warranty or representation of any kind, express or implied, as to its fairness or suitability or as to your ability to comply with its terms and we do not assume any liability or responsibility to you or to any third parties due to such approval.
You must deliver to us a copy of the fully signed lease, lease extension, sublease or purchase contract within five days after its execution.
If the lease terminates for any reason prior to the expiration of this Agreement, Noodles & Company shall have the option to require you to locate and secure an alternative approved site within three months, or such other time period as we mutually agree, of the termination or Noodles & Company may, at its option, terminate the Agreement as to such Restaurant.
We also require that any lease or lease extension in which you enter into for the Premises that you or an Affiliate owns, contain terms and conditions and payments that are commercially reasonable in our opinion.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 98–99)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Noodles & Company Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee cannot execute a lease, lease extension, sublease, or purchase contract, or any modification to these agreements, without prior approval from Noodles & Company. This requirement ensures that all lease-related agreements align with Noodles & Company's standards and protect their brand.
Noodles & Company retains the right to approve and modify the terms of any lease extension. The franchisee must submit a copy of the lease extension for approval before signing. The lease extension should substantially conform to the previous lease agreement approved by Noodles & Company.
Even with approval, Noodles & Company makes it clear that their approval of any lease-related document does not constitute a warranty or representation regarding its fairness or suitability. Noodles & Company also does not assume liability or responsibility to the franchisee or any third party due to this approval. The franchisee must provide Noodles & Company with a copy of the fully signed lease, lease extension, sublease, or purchase contract within five days of execution.
If a lease terminates before the franchise agreement expires, Noodles & Company has the option to require the franchisee to secure an alternative approved site within three months or another mutually agreed-upon timeframe. If the franchisee fails to do so, Noodles & Company can terminate the franchise agreement for that restaurant. Additionally, any lease or lease extension for premises owned by the franchisee or an affiliate must contain commercially reasonable terms, conditions, and payments, as determined by Noodles & Company.