Noodles & Company

Noodles & Company names Drew Madsen CEO, plots menu overhaul

By Lisa Jennings on Mar. 07, 2024

The former Panera Bread president has served on the board and was interim CEO since November. He has launched a return to roots, aiming to embrace an identity as a culinary comfort kitchen.

Leadership

Dave Boennighausen is out as Noodles & Company CEO

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 10, 2023

Drew Madsen, a board member and former president of Panera Bread, was named interim chief executive as the struggling fast-casual looks for a replacement.

Operations

What to learn from two brands dubbed 'the next Chipotle'

By Lisa Jennings on Nov. 08, 2023

Cava, the newly public fast-casual chain called "the next Chipotle" by investors, and Noodles & Co., which held that title a decade ago, just reported two very different quarters that are a study in contrasts—and offer a warning for Cava.

Food

Noodles know no boundaries with Nick Graff leading R&D at Noodles & Company

By Patricia Cobe on Oct. 12, 2023

The executive chef and VP of culinary has accelerated innovation and taken the menu where it hasn’t ventured before.

Premium

Food

Noodles & Company moves menu in a heartier direction with its first baked entree

By Patricia Cobe on Sep. 12, 2023

Behind the Menu: Executive chef Nick Graff developed Chicken Parmesan to offer guests a classic Italian main dish at a fast-casual price point.

Operations

Noodles & Co. guests push back on higher prices, especially for delivery

By Lisa Jennings on May 10, 2023

But with commodity deflation expected for the rest of the year, the fast-casual chain has brought back a value promotion that is already driving traffic, the company said.

Marketing

Noodles & Co. to give loyalty members a new reward every day

By Joe Guszkowski on Apr. 03, 2023

The daily perks will include discounts and free add-ons. It’s part of a trend toward more frequent giveaways from loyalty programs.

Operations

Inflation isn't hurting traffic, at least at Noodles & Co.

By Lisa Jennings on Mar. 08, 2023

The fast-casual noodle chain said its sales momentum has continued so far this year while margins are improving thanks to normalizing commodity costs.

Operations