What written agreements might Noodles & Company require from a supplier as a condition of approval?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
As an additional condition of its approval, we may require a supplier to agree in writing: (1) to provide, upon our request, free samples of any Non-Proprietary Product it intends to supply to you; (2) to faithfully comply with our specifications for applicable Non-Proprietary Products sold by it; (3) to sell any Non-Proprietary Product bearing our Marks only to our franchisees and only pursuant to a trademark license agreement in
form required by us; (4) to provide to us duplicate purchase invoices for our records and inspection purposes; (5) to make the products available to all of our Company-owned and Franchise-owned Restaurants; (6) to otherwise comply with our reasonable requests; and (7) to complete and submit a Noodles & Company supplier packet including 3rd party audits.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 28–32)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Noodles & Company's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, as an additional condition of approval, Noodles & Company may require a supplier to agree in writing to several stipulations. These include providing free samples of any Non-Proprietary Product upon request, faithfully complying with Noodles & Company's specifications for applicable Non-Proprietary Products, and selling any Non-Proprietary Product bearing Noodles & Company's Marks only to its franchisees under a trademark license agreement required by Noodles & Company.
Additionally, the supplier may be required to provide duplicate purchase invoices for Noodles & Company's records and inspection, make the products available to all Company-owned and Franchise-owned Restaurants, and comply with other reasonable requests from Noodles & Company. The supplier must also complete and submit a Noodles & Company supplier packet, including 3rd party audits.
These requirements ensure that Noodles & Company maintains consistent quality and standards across all its locations. By mandating these written agreements, Noodles & Company aims to protect its brand reputation and ensure that franchisees receive products that meet the company's specifications. This also allows Noodles & Company to monitor the supply chain and maintain quality control, which is a common practice in franchising to ensure brand consistency and protect the overall system's reputation.