What are the requirements for the Operating Partner designated for a Noodles & Company franchise?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must be a business corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other legal business entity to obtain an ADA or Franchise from us. You are not obligated to participate directly in the development and operation of your Noodles & Company restaurant. However, you must designate as your "Operating Partner" an individual approved by us who must: (1) have completed our Operating Partner training program to our satisfaction; (2) be the senior management individual who is involved in day-to-day operations of your Noodles & Company restaurants; (3) be the person with whom we communicate as to development, operations and Area Operator matters; (4) have the authority to bind you regarding all operational decisions regarding your Noodles & Company restaurant; and (4) continuously have primary residency in the Development Area. Your Operating Partner is not required to own an equity interest in you.
Your Operating Partner: (1) must exert his/her full-time and best efforts to develop and operate the Noodles & Company restaurant being franchised and all other Noodles & Company restaurants you own; and (2) may not engage in any other business or activity, directly or indirectly, that requires substantial management responsibility or time commitments or that otherwise may conflict with the obligations under the Franchise Agreement. Your Noodles & Company restaurant must, at all times, be managed by you, your Operating Partner or by a manager who has completed the appropriate training program to our satisfaction. He/she must adhere to our customer service standards as outlined in the Operations Manual.
If you operate more than one Noodles & Company restaurant, you must hire a full-time general manager for each restaurant. Each of your general managers must dedicate 100% of his or her working time to the management of his or her restaurant. Your collective Noodles & Company restaurants must be under the on-site supervision of the Operating Partner or one or more full-time area or district managers who have completed the appropriate training program to our satisfaction. You may not operate any of your Noodles & Company restaurants without covering every shift with a suitably trained manager or shift supervisor.
Source: Item 15 — OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS (FDD pages 60–62)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Noodles & Company FDD, while franchisees are not obligated to directly participate in the daily operations of their restaurant, they must designate an Operating Partner who meets specific criteria. This individual must be approved by Noodles & Company and must have successfully completed the Operating Partner training program. The Operating Partner serves as the primary point of contact between the franchisee and Noodles & Company for all development, operational, and area-related matters. They also need the authority to make binding operational decisions for the Noodles & Company restaurant.
In addition to training and authority, the Operating Partner must be the senior management individual involved in the day-to-day operations of the Noodles & Company restaurant and must continuously maintain primary residency within the Development Area. This ensures that the Operating Partner is actively engaged in the business and accessible for communication and decision-making. The Operating Partner is not required to have an equity interest in the franchise.
The Operating Partner is expected to dedicate their full-time efforts to the development and operation of the Noodles & Company restaurant, and they are prohibited from engaging in any other business or activity that could conflict with their obligations under the Franchise Agreement. This requirement ensures that the Operating Partner's focus remains solely on the success of the Noodles & Company franchise. If a franchisee operates multiple Noodles & Company restaurants, they must also employ a full-time general manager for each location, further emphasizing the importance of dedicated management at each restaurant.
Noodles & Company requires that the restaurant is always managed by the franchisee, the Operating Partner, or a manager who has completed the appropriate training program. This ensures adherence to customer service standards outlined in the Operations Manual. Furthermore, franchisees must ensure that every shift is covered by a suitably trained manager or shift supervisor, highlighting the brand's commitment to consistent operational quality and customer experience.