Under what circumstances must I, my Operating Partner, and my general managers attend certified training programs for my Noodles & Company restaurant?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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, you, your Operating Partner, and your general managers must attend certified training programs under specific circumstances. Prior to opening your Noodles & Company restaurant, if you, your Operating Partner, or any of your general managers have not completed the appropriate certified training programs as outlined in the current Operations Manual, you all must attend and successfully complete the relevant training programs. These programs will be conducted at locations and times designated by Noodles & Company, which may include training at company-owned restaurants.
Furthermore, if there are any replacements for your Operating Partner or general managers, these individuals must successfully complete the certified training program before assuming their positions. A general manager may also be certified by Franchise Operations in lieu of attending the current training program. Noodles & Company also retains the right to require you, your Operating Partner, and restaurant management personnel to attend periodic or additional training programs. This may include training deemed necessary for retraining, new product roll-outs, or new equipment usage.
Noodles & Company will not charge fees for initial training programs for your initial Area Operator training, Operating Partner training, and the first two general managers' training for the first two restaurants you open, totaling four general managers. However, you will be responsible for all compensation and expenses, including travel, meals, lodging, and fully burdened salaries, incurred by you and your personnel while attending any training programs. It is imperative to replace any individual who fails to successfully complete any training program. The scheduling, content, and duration of the training programs are at Noodles & Company's discretion, and they reserve the right to modify the training, including materials, equipment, and support used.