Under what conditions can a Noodles & Company franchisee relocate their restaurant?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
"Commencement of Construction" and "Grand Opening Marketing Program" from this Section.
- 4. Grant of Franchise and Term. Section 2.01 of the Renewal Franchise Agreement is hereby amended to read as follows:
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, we grant to you the right, and you assume the obligation, to continue operating Your Noodles & Company Restaurant at the location set forth on the front page of this Agreement (the "Premises") and to use the Marks and System solely in connection therewith, for a term of 10 years starting on the Effective Date (the "Term"). You must conduct the business of your Noodles & Company Restaurant at the Premises for the duration of the Term. You may not conduct
the business of your Noodles & Company Restaurant or use the System at any site other than the Premises, or relocate your Noodles & Company Restaurant, without our consent. For the duration of the Term, you have the obligation to relocate a closed Noodles & Company Restaurant at a mutually acceptable location, unless we determine otherwise at our discretion.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 98–99)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Noodles & Company Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee must operate their Noodles & Company restaurant at the specific location (the Premises) outlined in the franchise agreement for the entire 10-year term. A franchisee cannot operate the business or use the Noodles & Company system at any location other than the approved Premises without the franchisor's consent.
However, there is an exception: If a Noodles & Company restaurant closes, the franchisee is obligated to relocate the restaurant to a location that is mutually acceptable to both the franchisee and Noodles & Company, unless Noodles & Company decides otherwise at their discretion.
Additionally, if the restaurant's lease terminates for any reason before the franchise agreement expires, Noodles & Company has the option to require the franchisee to secure an alternative approved site within three months, or another mutually agreed upon timeframe. If the franchisee fails to do so, Noodles & Company can terminate the franchise agreement for that restaurant.