What rights does a Noodles & Company franchisee retain regarding technology they own or license from a third party?

According to the 2025 Noodles & Company Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees retain all rights to technology they own or license from a third party. However, this is subject to the rights of Noodles & Company as outlined in any Area Development Agreement and the Franchise Agreements. This means that while franchisees can own or license technology, Noodles & Company retains certain rights that could impact how that technology is used within the franchise.

Noodles & Company maintains full ownership of its own software, hardware, and systems. This includes any software, technology, materials, or intellectual property that Noodles & Company licenses to the franchisee under any Area Development Agreement and the Franchise Agreements. The agreement explicitly states that no title, right, or ownership of Noodles & Company's intellectual property is transferred to the franchisee.

This division of ownership ensures that Noodles & Company can maintain consistency and control over the technology used within its franchise system, while still allowing franchisees to leverage their own technology to some extent. However, franchisees must be aware that their use of personally owned or licensed technology is subject to Noodles & Company's rights and agreements, potentially limiting their autonomy in this area.