What must a Noodles & Company franchisee obtain before relocating their Noodles & Company restaurant?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You will not receive an exclusive territory under the Franchise Agreement. You may face competition from other franchisees, from outlets that we own, or from other channels of distribution or competitive brands that we control. The Franchise Agreement grants to you the right to own and operate a Noodles & Company restaurant at a specific location during the term of the agreement. You may not conduct the business of your Noodles & Company at any site other than that location. You may not relocate your Noodles & Company restaurant without our prior written consent. We will evaluate any proposed relocation site based on the then-current criteria we use to evaluate prospective franchise restaurant sites. The Franchise Agreement does not provide you with any options, rights of first refusal or similar rights to acquire additional franchises.
Source: Item 12 — TERRITORY (FDD pages 48–53)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Noodles & Company Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee must obtain prior written consent from Noodles & Company before relocating their restaurant. This requirement is explicitly stated in Item 12, which governs the franchisee's territory and obligations regarding the restaurant's location.
The FDD specifies that a Noodles & Company franchisee's right to operate is tied to a "specific location" outlined in the Franchise Agreement. This means franchisees cannot simply move their restaurant without permission. If a franchisee wishes to relocate, Noodles & Company will evaluate the proposed new site based on the criteria they currently use for assessing new franchise locations. This evaluation ensures that the new location aligns with Noodles & Company's strategic objectives and standards.
This requirement protects Noodles & Company's brand and ensures consistent quality and market presence. It also allows Noodles & Company to maintain control over its network and prevent franchisees from moving to locations that could negatively impact other franchisees or the overall brand. For a prospective franchisee, this means that relocating a Noodles & Company restaurant is not a unilateral decision and requires a formal approval process.