What are 'Non-Traditional Venues' in relation to Noodles & Company development rights?
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 the 2025 Noodles & Company Franchise Disclosure Document, 'Non-Traditional Venues' are specific locations that, due to their unique nature, are excluded from the development area granted to a franchisee. This means that even if a franchisee has development rights for a certain geographic area, Noodles & Company retains the right to develop or franchise locations within that area that are considered Non-Traditional Venues.
The FDD lists several examples of Non-Traditional Venues. These include transportation facilities like airports, train stations, and bus stations; government and military locations; sports and entertainment venues such as stadiums, amusement parks, and convention centers; travel-related locations like car and truck stops; casinos; food courts; Indian reservations; and museums. Noodles & Company reserves the right to develop these locations through direct ownership, franchising, licensing, or other means, regardless of their proximity to a franchisee's existing Noodles & Company restaurant.
This reservation of rights has significant implications for prospective Noodles & Company franchisees. It means that even with development rights to an area, the franchisee may face competition from other Noodles & Company locations in Non-Traditional Venues within their territory. Franchisees should carefully consider the potential impact of these Non-Traditional Venues when evaluating a development area and negotiating the terms of their franchise agreement.