What legal entity forms are acceptable for developing and holding Noodles & Company franchises?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
et forth in our standard form Franchise Agreement being offered as of the date of this Agreement.
- (e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Franchise Agreement, the Franchise Fee for a restaurant to be developed hereunder must be paid by the Required Opening Date as set forth in Exhibit A, regardless of whether the Franchise Agreement for the restaurant has been signed or the restaurant is open for operation or under construction. The obligation to pay the Franchise Fee for restaurants that were required to be open prior to termination of this Agreement shall survive termination of this Agreement.
4. YOUR ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT.
4.01 Organizational Documents**.** You must be a business corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other legal entity formed for the sole purpose of developing and holding franchises to operate Noodles & Company restaurants. You and each of your Owners represent, warrant and agree that: (a) you are duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the state of your organization, and you are duly qualified to transact business in the state(s) in which the Development Area is located; (b) you have the authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform your obligations hereunder; (c) true and complete copies of the articles of incorporation, partnership agreement, bylaws, subscription agreements, buy-sell agreements, voting trust agreements and all other documents relating to your ownership, organization, capitalization, management, and control have been delivered to us and all amendments thereto shall be promptly delivered to us; (d) your entity's activities are restricted to those necessary solely for the development, ownership, and operation of Noodles & Company restaurants in accordance with this Agreement and in accordance with any other agreements entered into with us or our Affiliate if applicable; (e) the articles of incorporation, partnership agreement, or other organizational documents recite that the issuance, transfer, or pledge of any direct or indirect legal or beneficial ownership interest is restricted by the terms of this Agreement; (f) all certificates representing direct or indirect legal or beneficial ownership interests now or hereafter issued must bear a legend in conformity with applicable law reciting or referring to such restrictions; and (g) you will deliver to us a Secretary/Clerk's Certificate or attestation or other evidence satisfactory to us that the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, each Franchise Agreement as it is executed, and all other agreements and ancillary documents contemplated hereby or thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action by your corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity, as applicable.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 99–350)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Noodles & Company Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must operate under a specific legal structure. Noodles & Company requires that franchisees be a business corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or another legally recognized entity. This entity must be specifically formed for the purpose of developing and holding franchises to operate Noodles & Company restaurants.
Noodles & Company mandates that the franchisee's activities are restricted to those necessary for the development, ownership, and operation of Noodles & Company restaurants. This ensures that the franchisee's focus remains solely on the Noodles & Company business. Furthermore, the organizational documents, such as the articles of incorporation or partnership agreement, must state that any transfer or issuance of ownership interest is restricted by the terms of the franchise agreement.
Noodles & Company also stipulates that the franchisee cannot change their entity form without written consent from Noodles & Company. Additionally, the franchisee, its partners, shareholders, or members cannot be or become a Publicly Held Entity during the term of the agreement. This requirement helps Noodles & Company maintain control over the ownership and management of its franchises and ensures that the franchise remains privately held.