Are Non-Traditional Venues included in the Noodles & Company Development Area?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (d) You acknowledge, however, that certain locations within the Development Area are by their nature unique and separate in character from the sites to which we intend to grant you a franchise or area Development Rights pursuant to this Agreement; such sites are referred to as "Non-Traditional Venues." As a result, you agree that Non-Traditional Venues are excluded from the Development Area (and any Protected Area under any Franchise Agreement) and we shall have the right to develop (by direct ownership, franchising, licensing or other means) such locations, even if such sites are located within the Development Area (and any Protected Area under any Franchise Agreement) and regardless of the proximity of such sites to any Noodles & Company restaurant for which you have or might have in the foreseeable future a franchise.
Non-Traditional Venues include, for example: (i) transportation facilities, including airports, train stations, subways and rail, and bus stations; (ii) military bases and government offices; (iii) sports facilities, including stadiums and arenas; (iv) amusement parks, zoos, and convention centers; (v) car and truck rest stops, and travel centers and Limited Access Highway oasis and rest and service areas; (vi) casinos, (vii) food courts; (viii) Indian reservations; and (ix) museums.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 99–350)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Noodles & Company's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Non-Traditional Venues are specifically excluded from the Development Area granted to a franchisee. Noodles & Company retains the right to develop these venues themselves through direct ownership, franchising, licensing, or other means, even if they fall within a franchisee's Development Area or Protected Area. This means a franchisee's exclusive rights do not extend to these locations.
Non-Traditional Venues are defined as locations that are unique in character. Examples of Non-Traditional Venues include transportation facilities like airports and train stations, military bases, sports facilities such as stadiums, amusement parks, convention centers, car and truck rest stops, casinos, food courts, Indian reservations and museums.
This exclusion of Non-Traditional Venues from the Development Area has significant implications for prospective Noodles & Company franchisees. It means that Noodles & Company can place a restaurant in a location within the franchisee's territory that would otherwise be protected. This could impact the franchisee's potential customer base and revenue. Franchisees should carefully consider the potential impact of this clause on their business plans and revenue projections, especially if their Development Area includes or is near any Non-Traditional Venues.