Is a Noodles & Company franchisee required to implement training programs for their personnel?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Your Personnel must complete our approved training program for the positions in which they will be employed, as set forth in our Operations Manual and as amended or modified from time to time.
4.03 Your Certified Training Programs. We may, from time to time, require you to implement, at your expense, programs for the training of all or some of your Personnel. Prior to training any of your Personnel, your training programs must be certified by us. We may require you to have a certified training Restaurant approved by us upon the opening of your third Restaurant. You will be required to obtain re-certification of your training programs from time to time, and we may withhold certification if we determine, in our sole discretion, that your training programs do not meet our high standards. You will be charged the fees for such certification in accordance with the fee schedule in our then current Operations Manual.
4.04 Certified Management Representation. You must have at least one member of management in each of your Noodles & Company Restaurants who has successfully completed the Noodles & Company certified management training program or certified by Franchise Operations.
Prior to opening your first Noodles & Company restaurant, you, your Operating Partner, general managers and any other personnel who are intended to have, or who actually have, responsibilities for operating any Noodles & Company restaurant must complete the appropriate training program to our satisfaction.
Thereafter, subsequently hired personnel must complete the appropriate training program that is approved by or provided by Noodles & Company personnel to our satisfaction before assuming their position in accordance with our then-current Operations Manual.
You are solely responsible for all employment decisions with respect to your Personnel, including hiring, firing, compensation, training, supervision and discipline, regardless of whether you receive advice from us on any of these subjects.
You must immediately replace any individual who fails to successfully complete any training program.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 99–350)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Noodles & Company Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to ensure their personnel complete the brand's approved training program for their specific positions. This requirement is detailed in the Operations Manual, which may be updated periodically. Furthermore, Noodles & Company may, at its discretion, require franchisees to implement additional training programs at the franchisee's expense. These programs must be certified by Noodles & Company, and the company may withhold certification if the training standards are not met.
Noodles & Company may also require franchisees to have a certified training restaurant after opening their third location. Recertification of training programs may be necessary from time to time, with associated fees as outlined in the Operations Manual. At least one member of management in each Noodles & Company restaurant must complete the brand's certified management training program or be certified by Franchise Operations.
Prior to opening a Noodles & Company restaurant, the franchisee (or their Operating Partner), general managers, and any personnel with operational responsibilities must complete the appropriate training program to Noodles & Company's satisfaction. Subsequently hired personnel must also complete the approved training program before assuming their positions, as detailed in the Operations Manual. This ensures that all staff members are adequately trained and capable of upholding Noodles & Company's standards.
The franchisee is responsible for all employment decisions, including training, and must replace any individual who fails to complete the training program successfully. While Noodles & Company provides guidance and training programs, the franchisee maintains control over day-to-day operations, including hiring, firing, and employee supervision.