Noodles & Company franchise
Noodles & Company is a fast-casual chain serving noodle and pasta dishes from around the world, such as mac and cheese, pad thai and Japanese pan noodles, plus soups and salads. New franchisees typically develop several restaurants in a region. At the end of 2024 there were 463 Noodles & Company locations in the US, 92 franchised and 371 company-owned, so most are run by the company itself.
- Cost to open
- $669K–$1.41M
- Franchise fee
- $35,000
- Royalty
- 5%
- Locations, 2024
- 463
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Company snapshot
- Franchising since
- 2003
- First location
- 1995
- Franchisor based in
- Broomfield, Colorado
- Time to open
- Must open within 180 days of signing
- Agreement length
- 20 years
- Territory
- No exclusive territory
- Financing
- None offered
From Noodles & Company’s 2025 filing.
How much a Noodles & Company franchise costs
Opening one Noodles & Company restaurant costs an estimated $669,000 to $1,412,000. That covers the franchise fee and everything else needed to open, through the first months of working capital.
Source: Noodles & Company, 2025 filing, page 24
Noodles & Company franchise fee
The franchise fee is $35,000, per restaurant. You pay it when you sign the franchise agreement.
Source: Noodles & Company, 2025 filing, page 18
Royalty and ongoing fees
| Royalty | 5% of net royalty sales, paid each reporting period. |
|---|---|
| Brand or marketing fund | 0% of gross sales |
Source: Noodles & Company, 2025 filing, page 19
Sales and earnings
Shares figures Noodles & Company publishes sales or earnings figures for its locations: it gives fiscal 2024 average and median net sales for company and franchised restaurants. The full tables, with notes on which locations are counted, are in its filing.
Source: Noodles & Company, 2025 filing, page 85
Locations opened and closed
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 93 (+17) | 367 |
| 2023 | 90 (−3) | 380 |
| 2024 | 92 (+2) | 371 |
Closed or left counts terminations, non-renewals, locations bought back by the franchisor and locations that stopped operating.
Source: Noodles & Company, 2025 filing, page 90
How Noodles & Company compares
Of the 59 restaurant franchises on this site, Noodles & Company is the 25th cheapest to open and the 41st largest by number of locations.
| Measure | Noodles & Company | Typical restaurant |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to open, low end | $669K | $846K |
| Royalty | 5% | 5% |
| Change in franchised locations, 0 yrs | +21.1% | +5.3% |
| Shares earnings figures | Yes | 49 of 59 |
Typical is the median across the 59 brands in restaurant franchises.
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Noodles & Company franchise questions
How long does it take to open a Noodles & Company?
Must open within 180 days of signing, according to Noodles & Company's 2025 filing. Finding a site, permits and build-out are what usually stretch it.
Does Noodles & Company help with financing?
No. Noodles & Company does not offer financing or guarantee loans or leases, so buyers arrange their own, usually a bank or SBA loan.
Do Noodles & Company franchisees get a protected territory?
No. Noodles & Company grants the right to run one location but no exclusive area, so another Noodles & Company can open nearby.
How long is a Noodles & Company franchise agreement?
The initial term is 20 years. Renewal is usually possible if you're in good standing, often for a fee and a remodel.
How does Noodles & Company compare with other restaurant franchises?
Of the 59 restaurant franchises here, Noodles & Company is the 25th cheapest to open (low end $669K against a $846K median) and the 41st largest by number of locations. Its 5% royalty is in line with the 5% median.
Does Noodles & Company say how much franchisees make?
Yes: it gives fiscal 2024 average and median net sales for company and franchised restaurants. Your results can differ; the filing explains which locations are counted.
Where is Noodles & Company based?
Noodles & Company is based in Broomfield, Colorado and the brand has sold franchises since 2003; the first location opened in 1995.