Can Noodles & Company impose limits on the number of suppliers and brands for any items that a Noodles & Company franchisee purchases?

According to the 2025 Noodles & Company FDD, Noodles & Company can impose limits on the number of suppliers and brands for items franchisees purchase. To maintain the reputation and goodwill of Noodles & Company restaurants, franchisees must use and offer for sale only food products, beverages, ingredients, uniforms, packaging materials, menus, forms, labels, and other supplies that conform to Noodles & Company's specifications and quality standards, or are purchased from approved suppliers.

Noodles & Company maintains a list of approved brands and suppliers in its Operations Manual, which it may modify at its discretion. Franchisees cannot reorder any brand or from any supplier that is no longer approved after receiving notice of the modification. If a franchisee wants to use a brand or supplier not currently approved, they must notify Noodles & Company and submit information and samples for approval. Noodles & Company may charge fees to cover the costs of this review.

Noodles & Company may also determine that certain Non-Proprietary Products (e.g. beverages) must be limited to a designated brand or brands set by them. This allows Noodles & Company to control quality and uniformity across all franchise locations, but it also limits the franchisee's ability to choose suppliers based on price or other factors. Franchisees are required to purchase IT support services directly from Noodles & Company.