What training requirements must a Noodles & Company franchisee fulfill before opening?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
rument. In the event you default on your debt and we elect to pursue any of the foregoing protections available to us, your right to cure such default shall expire as of the date we pursue any such protections notwithstanding any longer cure period set forth elsewhere in any agreement between you and us. Additionally you shall be liable for the full amount we pay to cure your default plus interest at 18% per annum, or the highest rate allowable by law, and all costs we incur, including legal fees and appraisal fees relating to the evaluation of and exercise of any such protections. Breach of this Section 3.07 is a material breach of this Agreement.
4. TRAINING AND GUIDANCE.
4.01 Our Training Programs. If you (or your Operating Partner) or any of your general managers have not completed the appropriate certified training programs as set forth in our then current Operations Manual, then prior to opening your Noodles & Company Restaurant, you and your Operating Partner and all such general managers must attend and successfully complete the appropriate Owner, Operating Partner and general manager certified training programs, as applicable, conducted at such time(s) and place(s) as we designate, including in our Company-owned Restaurants if we so elect. Thereafter, any person who replaces your Operating Partner or any general managers must successfully complete the appropriate certified training program before assuming the particular position. In lieu of attending the current training program, a general manager may be "certified" by Franchise Operations. We may require you and your Operating Partner and Restaurant management personnel to attend and successfully complete periodic or additional training programs. We may require you and your general managers to attend additional training, or other informational programs from time to time as we deem necessary for re-training, new product roll-outs, new equipment usage, etc. Except in the case where you are an Affiliate of an existing area operator of Noodles & Company restaurants who has opened Noodles & Company restaurants prior to your opening Noodles & Company restaurants, we will not charge any fees for attendance at any such training programs for your initial Area Operator
training, Operating Partner training and the first two (2) general managers' training for the first two Restaurants you open (for an aggregate total of four (4) general managers being trained). Subsequent or additional training shall be provided upon your request or based on our determination that such training is necessary or desirable, at the cost set forth in our then current Operations Manual. You will be responsible for all compensation and expenses (including travel, meals and lodging and fully-burdened salaries and expenses for days or hours of such training) incurred by you and your Personnel in attending any training programs. You must immediately replace any individual who fails to successfully complete any training program. Our training programs are more fully described in the Noodles & Company Operations Manual. The scheduling, content and duration of our training programs are at our discretion and we reserve the right to modify such training, including the materials, equipment and support used.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 99–350)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Noodles & Company's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, before opening a restaurant, franchisees, their operating partners, and general managers must complete the appropriate certified training programs. These programs are detailed in the current Operations Manual and are conducted at locations and times designated by Noodles & Company, potentially including training at company-owned restaurants. If an operating partner or general manager is replaced, the new personnel must also complete the certified training program before assuming their position. A general manager may be certified by Franchise Operations in lieu of attending the current training program.
Noodles & Company may also require franchisees, operating partners, and restaurant management to attend periodic or additional training programs for retraining, new product roll-outs, or new equipment usage. For the initial area operator training, operating partner training, and the first two general managers' training for the first two restaurants, Noodles & Company does not charge any fees (totaling four general managers). Subsequent or additional training is provided at the franchisee's request or if Noodles & Company deems it necessary, with costs outlined in the Operations Manual. Franchisees are responsible for all compensation and expenses, including travel, meals, lodging, and salaries, for themselves and their personnel attending training programs.
It is mandatory to replace any individual who fails to successfully complete a training program. The training programs are further described in the Noodles & Company Operations Manual, and the scheduling, content, and duration of the programs are at Noodles & Company's discretion, with the right to modify the training, materials, equipment, and support used. All personnel must complete the approved training program for their respective positions, as detailed in the Operations Manual, which may be amended or modified. Each Noodles & Company restaurant must have at least one member of management who has successfully completed the Noodles & Company certified management training program or is certified by Franchise Operations.
Prospective franchisees should carefully review the Operations Manual to understand the full scope and requirements of the training programs. They should also budget for the costs associated with training, including travel, lodging, and salaries, and ensure that all personnel are capable of meeting the training requirements. Additionally, franchisees should be aware that Noodles & Company retains the right to modify the training programs and may require additional training from time to time.