What specific software applications are Noodles & Company franchisees required to use?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
system should require, at a minimum, unique user logons and multi factor authentication for remote support.
We require you to use the current Aloha Quick Service™ application with kitchen video and Aloha Credit Card software. The typical hardware platform that is compatible with Aloha or any other Aloha hardware applications which may be used is specified by us in the Operations Manual and generally will cost $20,000 to $25,000 per restaurant. (This cost is included in Item 7.) Variations from the hardware specified in the Operations Manual may cause the POS system to experience problems. Annual hardware and software maintenance costs for these systems are approximately $3,000 per restaurant.
You must also purchase and use the necessary polling and communication software, which will allow you to communicate daily financial information to us.
We may also require you to purchase and use the same back office, inventory and ideal food cost software that we use. We currently use eRestaurant Services for our inventory and ideal food cost software, which generally will cost about $134 per month per restaurant.
The above standards represent the current systems and configuration used at Noodles & Company. If, in the future, we elect to change the software and or the hardware, you will be required, at your cost, to make the same changes or upgrades.
You must, at your expense, purchase and upgrade or replace financial and inventory data processing and communications systems whenever we require it. All hardware and software, to include the operating system, should be maintained at the level or version supported by the providin
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 36–48)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Noodles & Company's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to use specific software applications to manage their restaurants. The brand requires the use of the current Aloha Quick Service™ application with kitchen video and Aloha Credit Card software. The hardware platform compatible with Aloha or other Aloha hardware applications typically costs between $20,000 and $25,000 per restaurant, a cost included in Item 7. Annual hardware and software maintenance is approximately $3,000 per restaurant.
Franchisees must also purchase and use necessary polling and communication software to communicate daily financial information to Noodles & Company. Additionally, Noodles & Company may require franchisees to purchase and use the same back office, inventory, and ideal food cost software that they use. Currently, Noodles & Company uses eRestaurant Services for this purpose, costing about $134 per month per restaurant.
Noodles & Company retains the right to change the required software and hardware in the future, and franchisees are obligated to implement these changes at their own expense. Franchisees must also purchase and upgrade or replace financial and inventory data processing and communications systems whenever Noodles & Company requires it. All hardware and software, including the operating system, must be maintained at the level or version supported by the vendor. There are no contractual limits on the frequency or cost of these required upgrades.