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Noodles & Company facts for kids
Location in Hillsboro, Oregon, 2013
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| Public | |
| Traded as | NASDAQ: NDLS (Class A) Russell 2000 Index component |
| Industry | Fast Casual |
| Founded | 1995 in Cherry Creek, Denver, Colorado |
| Founder | Aaron Kennedy |
| Headquarters | Broomfield, Colorado, US |
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Number of locations
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448 |
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Area served
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United States |
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Key people
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Dave Boennighausen (CEO) |
| Products | Pasta Salads Soups Appetizers & Other food products |
| Revenue |  US$475.16 million (FY Ended 12/28/2021) |
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Operating income
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US$5.82 million (FY Ended 12/28/2021) |
| US$3.66 million (FY Ended 12/28/2021) |
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| Total assets |  US$341.46 million (FY Ended 12/28/2021) |
| Total equity | US$37.63 million (FY Ended 12/28/2021) |
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Number of employees
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~8,000 (As of Dec. 28, 2021) |
Noodles & Company is a popular American restaurant chain. It serves many kinds of noodle dishes from around the world. You can also find soups and salads on their menu. Aaron Kennedy started the company in 1995. Its main office is in Broomfield, Colorado. In 2013, the company became public, meaning people could buy shares in it. By mid-2022, Noodles & Company had 458 locations in 31 states.
Contents
History of Noodles & Company
How the Noodle Idea Started
The idea for Noodles & Company came from Aaron Kennedy. He used to work in marketing for Pepsi. One day, he ate at a noodle shop in New York City. He realized there weren't many restaurants that focused on noodle dishes. Noodles are a main food in many countries.
In 1994, Aaron started creating recipes. He worked in his mother-in-law's kitchen. He had help from Joe Serafin and Ross Kamens. Aaron used his own money and got investments from friends and family.
The very first Noodles & Company opened in October 1995. It was in Denver, Colorado. Aaron teamed up with Tom Weigand, a real estate developer. They opened a second restaurant in Madison, Wisconsin, soon after.
Early Challenges and Changes
In its first few months, Noodles & Company faced problems. They lost money and almost closed down in 1996. A newspaper reviewer gave them a bad review. Other newspapers also had similar negative comments.
Aaron Kennedy decided to make big changes. He started a campaign called "Redefine Noodles & Company." The team worked hard to improve everything. They looked at other noodle restaurants for ideas.
They changed the restaurant's look to be warmer. They also stopped using steam tables to keep food warm. Instead, they cooked each dish fresh when ordered. New managers and a chef helped improve the menu. Within two months, the food was much better.
Growing Bigger and Better
From 1996 to 2000, Noodles & Company grew a lot. Their sales increased from $330,000 to $13 million. Food critics started calling it one of the best fast-food restaurants. Many people saw it as a company to watch.
The company had 37 locations in 2002. By 2007, they had 142 restaurants. In 2003, they started allowing people to open their own Noodles & Company restaurants as franchises. By 2007, 22 stores were franchises.
In 2004, the restaurants got a new look. They used lighter colors and focused more on takeout orders. The kitchen was made open so customers could see their food being cooked. The company's main office moved to Broomfield, Colorado, in 2006. Aaron Kennedy stepped down as CEO that year. Kevin Reddy took over as the new CEO.
Recent Company Updates
In 2010, a group of investors bought most of Noodles & Company. In 2013, the company decided to sell shares to the public. This is called an initial public offering (IPO). They wanted to raise $75 million.
When Noodles & Company's stock started trading, its price doubled quickly. Many news outlets called it "the hottest IPO of the year." They compared it to other successful restaurant IPOs.
In 2015, Noodles & Company closed some restaurants. This included all five locations in Austin, Texas. They closed 16 locations by the end of that year.
In 2016, an incident happened at a restaurant in Virginia. Two employees refused to serve a police officer. The company apologized and fired the employees involved.
In 2017, the company planned to close 55 restaurants that weren't doing well. But they also planned to open 14 to 17 new ones. They also tried out new ideas in some cities. These included a new name, "Noodles World Kitchen," and new menu items. They also tested faster pick-up services and a rewards program.
Noodles & Company Menu and Dining
Noodles & Company serves many different noodle dishes. These include both international and American styles. They also offer soups, salads, and pasta. You can buy baguettes and desserts like Rice Krispies Treats.
Originally, most pasta dishes were vegetarian. You could add protein like tofu, chicken, beef, or shrimp. Later, menu items started featuring specific proteins. This sometimes changed the price. For example, you could order Buffalo Chicken Mac with a different protein or no protein.
Customers order their food at the counter. Then, the food is brought to their table. It usually takes about five to seven minutes. The average meal costs around $8 per person.
The restaurants have soft lighting and furniture made from recycled bamboo. They have bench seating and large community tables. You can order online for eating in or taking out. Many locations offer curbside pickup. Some even have drive-up lanes for picking up orders.
New seasonal items were added to the menu in 2002. In 2004, they added dishes without noodles. This was for people who wanted low-carb options. The next year, they introduced a whole-grain Tuscan fettuccine. In 2012, naturally raised pork became a meat option. In 2013, they added three seasonal items and a gluten-free fusilli pasta.
In 2015, Noodles & Company started offering customizable kids' meals. For a short time, they also had sandwiches on their menu. They were removed sometime in 2016.
Noodles & Company offers gluten-free and vegan choices. However, they do warn that cross-contamination might happen. This means tiny bits of other ingredients could get into the food.
Advertising and Marketing
From 1997 to 2002, Noodles & Company used outdoor and print ads. By 2002, they had a $1.3 million budget for advertising. They even started showing ads on TV networks. Later, they spent less on advertising. But they started a new branding effort in 2008.
In 2013, they introduced the slogan "Your World Kitchen." Most of their advertising is on billboards and outdoor signs. They also use radio, digital media, and news websites. The billboards often highlight their global cuisine. One billboard pointed to a parking lot and said, "Recipes imported from more countries than these cars."
How Noodles & Company Operates
Many Noodles & Company restaurants are owned by the main company. But some are operated as franchises. A franchise is a business that an independent owner runs. This owner is trained by Noodles & Company. They use the same menu, prices, and brand as the company-owned stores.
In 2010, an average Noodles & Company store made over $1 million in sales each year. About 25 percent of these sales came from takeout orders. Noodles & Company is careful about who they choose as franchise partners. They have more company-owned stores than many other restaurant chains that offer franchises.
Images for kids
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Location in Hillsboro, Oregon, 2013
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View of the saute line from the customer counter at a Noodles & Company restaurant
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Location in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
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A Wisconsin macaroni and cheese from Noodles & Company
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Location in Sheboygan, Wisconsin