What is required for a buyer to be approved as a Noodles & Company franchisee, or for expansion if they are already a franchisee?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 1.d Franchisee Approval. Buyer shall have been approved, in Seller's sole discretion, as a Noodles & Company franchisee or, if Buyer already is a Noodles & Company franchisee, Buyer shall have been approved, in Seller's sole discretion, for expansion; provided that, as a condition precedent to Seller's consideration as to whether to grant such approval, Buyer shall have delivered to Seller all documentation and information requested by Seller.
We will also permit transfers among partners so long as the transfer is to a prior existing partner that was previously approved by us and who meets our then current requirements for Area Operators and Franchisees.
We agree not to exercise our right of first refusal in the case of death or disability if the proposed purchaser or transferee is a family member who meets our then current requirements for Area Operators and Franchisees or is a prior existing partner that was previously approved by us and who meets our then current requirements for Area Operators and Franchisees.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 99–350)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Noodles & Company's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a buyer is already a Noodles & Company franchisee, they must be approved for expansion at the seller's sole discretion. As a condition for the seller to even consider granting approval, the buyer must provide all requested documentation and information.
For transfers among partners, Noodles & Company will permit these so long as the transfer is to a prior existing partner that was previously approved by Noodles & Company and who meets the then-current requirements for Area Operators and Franchisees.
In the event of death or disability of an Area Operator, Noodles & Company agrees not to exercise their right of first refusal if the proposed purchaser or transferee is a family member who meets the then-current requirements for Area Operators and Franchisees, or is a prior existing partner that was previously approved by Noodles & Company and meets their then-current requirements.