Is Noodles & Company required to approve any supplier?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We are not required to approve any supplier, and without limiting our right to approve or disapprove a supplier in our sole discretion, you acknowledge that it is generally disadvantageous to the system from a cost and service basis to have more than one supplier in any given market area and that, among the other factors we may consider in deciding whether to approve a proposed supplier, we may consider the effect that the approval may have on the ability of us and other Area Operators to obtain the lowest distribution costs and on the quality and uniformity of products offered system-wide.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 28–32)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Noodles & Company's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Noodles & Company is not required to approve any supplier. However, to maintain quality and uniformity, franchisees must purchase ingredients, goods, supplies, fixtures, equipment, and inventory only from suppliers and distributors that Noodles & Company has approved.
Prospective Noodles & Company franchisees do have the option to propose a supplier not already approved by Noodles & Company. To do so, the franchisee must notify Noodles & Company and submit sufficient information, specifications, and samples concerning the brand and supplier for Noodles & Company to decide whether the brand complies with their specifications and standards and whether the supplier meets their approved supplier criteria. Noodles & Company has the right to charge reasonable fees to cover their costs in reviewing a potential supplier.
Noodles & Company will use good faith efforts to notify the franchisee of their decision within 120 days after receiving product samples and other requested information from the proposed alternative supplier, and they will strive to complete their review within 60 days. However, Noodles & Company may consider the effect that the approval may have on the ability of Noodles & Company and other Area Operators to obtain the lowest distribution costs and on the quality and uniformity of products offered system-wide.