Within how many days after leasing/acquiring the premises or receiving necessary permits must construction of the Noodles & Company Restaurant begin?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
(c) Construction. You must start construction of your Noodles & Company Restaurant (i) within 60 days after you have leased, subleased or acquired the Premises or (ii) upon receipt of all necessary permits and licenses, provided such permits were promptly requested, whichever is later, unless we mutually agree otherwise. We reserve the right to require that you obtain our acceptance of your choice of general contractor. You must procure all applicable construction insurance in amounts and coverages in accordance with the Noodles & Company Operations Manual. You must obtain lien waivers from your general contractor and all subcontractors who furnish any materials or services in the construction of your Noodles & Company Restaurant. You must complete construction of your Noodles & Company Restaurant within 120 days after the start of construction, unless we agree otherwise. You must open your Noodles & Company Restaurant within 14 days after the date construction is completed and all necessary approvals have been obtained. Time is of the essence in the construction and opening of your Noodles & Company Restaurants and failure to comply with all deadlines relating thereto is a material breach or default of this Agreement. Any extensions of time are subject to our approval, which we may withhold at our discretion.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 99–350)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Noodles & Company Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee must begin construction of their Noodles & Company restaurant within 60 days after leasing, subleasing, or acquiring the premises. Alternatively, construction must begin upon receiving all necessary permits and licenses, assuming these permits were promptly requested. The start date is whichever of these two events occurs later, unless Noodles & Company mutually agrees to a different arrangement.
Noodles & Company maintains the right to approve the franchisee's choice of general contractor. The franchisee is also required to secure all applicable construction insurance, adhering to the amounts and coverages specified in the Noodles & Company Operations Manual. Furthermore, the franchisee must obtain lien waivers from the general contractor and all subcontractors involved in the construction process.
Following the commencement of construction, the franchisee has 120 days to complete the construction of the Noodles & Company restaurant, unless Noodles & Company agrees otherwise. After construction is completed and all necessary approvals are secured, the franchisee must open the restaurant within 14 days. The franchise agreement emphasizes that time is of the essence in both the construction and opening phases, and failure to meet these deadlines constitutes a material breach of the agreement. Any extensions to these timelines are subject to Noodles & Company's approval, which they can withhold at their discretion.