Does Noodles & Company need to approve the organization and governance of each Cooperative?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (b) each Cooperative shall be organized and governed in a form and manner, and shall commence operations on a date, approved in advance by us in writing; no changes in the by-laws or other governing documents of a Cooperative shall be made without our prior written consent;
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 99–350)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Noodles & Company's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the company's written approval is required regarding the organization and governance of each Cooperative. Specifically, each Cooperative must be organized and governed in a manner approved in advance, in writing, by Noodles & Company.
This requirement means that prospective Noodles & Company franchisees do not have complete autonomy over the structure and operational guidelines of their marketing cooperatives. Any changes to the Cooperative's by-laws or governing documents also require Noodles & Company's prior written consent.
This provision ensures that all local marketing efforts align with the overall brand strategy and standards set by Noodles & Company. While this may limit the Cooperative's flexibility, it also provides a level of consistency and quality control that can benefit the brand as a whole. Franchisees should consider this when evaluating the level of control they will have over local marketing initiatives.