What are 'Specified Dishes' as defined in the Noodles & Company franchise agreement?

According to the 2025 Noodles & Company Franchise Disclosure Document, the term 'Specified Dishes' is defined within the context of 'Competitive Business'. A 'Competitive Business' is any business that operates or franchises restaurants where sales of 'Specified Dishes' constitute more than 10% of the restaurant's operating revenues, or that are substantially similar to the Noodles & Company concept. This definition is important because it outlines the scope of activities that Noodles & Company considers competitive and could potentially restrict for franchisees.

Specifically, 'Specified Dishes' are defined as noodle dishes, pasta dishes, Asian dishes, Italian or Mediterranean dishes, and any other dishes that are the same or substantially similar to the dishes on the Noodles & Company menu. This definition is broad and includes a variety of cuisines and dishes, and it also evolves with changes to the Noodles & Company menu. This means that as Noodles & Company updates its menu, the definition of 'Specified Dishes' will also change, potentially impacting what other restaurant concepts a franchisee can be involved with.

This definition has implications for prospective franchisees, particularly if they have existing business interests in the restaurant industry or plan to invest in other restaurant ventures in the future. The restrictions on competitive activities do not apply to ownership or operation of other Noodles & Company restaurants licensed by Noodles & Company or its affiliates, ownership of less than 5% of a publicly traded class of securities, or any restaurant concept with a per-person average check more than 50% higher or lower than Noodles & Company's average. Franchisees should carefully consider this definition and its implications for their future business endeavors to avoid potential conflicts with the franchise agreement.