“We’re not a regional brand, fad, or trend but an established business with guests that connect deeply with our brand,” said John Ramsay, Noodle & Company’s VP of Franchise Sales in a recent interview with FastCasual.com.
Inspired by the individuality, creativity, and cultural heritage of cuisines from around the world, each one of our dishes is handmade and served fresh. For nearly 30 years, Noodles & Company has acted as the perfect place to get together with loved ones and share a moment around the table. Learn how we got our start and how you can become a part of where we’re headed next.
Get to Know the Noodles & Company Franchise
A Brand People Know and Love
While walking down the streets of New York’s Greenwich Village in 1993, Aaron Kennedy was inspired by the city’s array of food options, including authentic Thai noodle shops. He quickly realized that there was an untapped market for high-quality, authentic noodle dishes that were influenced cultural cuisines from all over. After relocating to the Denver area and partnering with a chef, the first Noodles & Company restaurant opened in October 1995.
Prioritizing Best Practices
While our recipes may be tried and true, the key to a successful restaurant franchise is to always understand how the market is changing and be willing to adapt. Over the past two years, the pandemic has had a big impact on the restaurant franchise industry. From the growth of third-party delivery apps to off-premises dining, customers are changing the way they order and enjoy food.
Noodles & Company has stayed ahead of trends and managed to grow throughout varied economies by prioritizing the customer experience. We offer takeout, curbside pickup, pickup windows, and direct delivery to ensure our guests can access our fresh food their way. We’ve also continually updated our menu to include unique flavors and healthy options, like industry-first zoodle dishes.
Looking Towards the Future
After spending several years perfecting our operations systems, our current growth strategy involves helping franchise partners tap into new and growing markets. The Noodles & Company franchise is the only national brand of its kind that offers noodle dishes from around the world in a fast-casual setting. With virtually no direct competitors on our scale, Noodles & Company offers franchise partners a unique opportunity in a popular but differentiated category.
“We don’t have to educate guests on our menu or who we are in new markets because we have such a unique offering that is easy to understand,” said Ramsay.
Throughout 2022 and the next several years, we’re looking for entrepreneurs who are eager to enter the right markets where robust opportunities for new growth are present. Our ideal candidate is someone with established roots in the market and who is prepared to open multiple locations in their territory.
Grow with Noodles & Company
With an innovative menu, affordable investment plan, and a strong guest base, we’re leading the way in the fast-casual franchise space. Ready to become a part of our growth? Get in touch with our team to get started.