Where will the Noodles & Company franchises granted to the Area Operator be located?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
(c) Within 60 days following the execution of the Area Development Agreement, the Area Operator shall prepare and submit to Noodles & Company a Trade Area Map, derived from mapping software that has been approved in writing by Noodles & Company in its sole discretion, that defines the proposed real estate strategy for the entire franchise territory. The Trade Area Map shall outline all of the proposed trade areas that are targeted for a Noodles & Company restaurant, and rank the trade areas as follows:
Primary Trade Area: This would be a premier trade area in the market that tends to attract customers from throughout the market or region. Such trade areas may include entertainment districts, regional shopping centers, universities, hospital complexes, sports arenas and other similar activities that provide brand awareness to a larger portion of the population. Such trade areas should be targeted for the first two (2) to three (3) restaurants to open in the market.
Secondary Trade Area: This would be a solid, good performing trade area that primarily serves customers working or living within the trade area boundary. Such trade areas commonly include concentrated employment centers, and a variety of quality shopping centers serving daily needs. Secondary trade areas typically make up the largest number of trade areas in a market, and should be targeted to immediately follow the initial primary trade areas.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 99–350)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Noodles & Company's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, within 60 days of signing the Area Development Agreement, the Area Operator must create and submit a Trade Area Map to Noodles & Company. This map, using Noodles & Company-approved mapping software, will detail the real estate strategy for the entire franchise territory. The map should identify and rank potential trade areas for Noodles & Company restaurants.
The Trade Area Map should outline targeted trade areas, categorized as Primary and Secondary. Primary Trade Areas are premier locations that attract customers from a wide region, such as entertainment districts, regional shopping centers, universities, hospital complexes, and sports arenas. Noodles & Company suggests that the first two to three restaurants in the market should target these areas to build brand awareness. Secondary Trade Areas are solid, well-performing locations that primarily serve customers who live or work nearby. These areas often include concentrated employment centers and shopping centers that meet daily needs. Secondary Trade Areas typically make up the largest number of locations in a market and should be targeted after establishing a presence in the primary areas.
Noodles & Company's approval of a proposed site does not constitute a warranty of its suitability or success. The Area Operator is responsible for independently investigating the suitability of any location. The final decision to develop and operate a Noodles & Company restaurant at a specific site rests solely with the Area Operator. This means the franchisee bears the risk of site selection, even after Noodles & Company has given its approval. The Area Operator must also get written consent from Noodles & Company before relocating a restaurant and must comply with their current site criteria.