Nudeln & Unternehmen (NDLS): Business Model Canvas

Nudeln & Company (NDLS) hat mit seinem innovativen Geschäftsmodell, das anpassbare Nudelküche, digitale Technologie und strategische Marktpositionierung verbindet, die Fast-Casual-Dining-Landschaft revolutioniert. Durch die Entwicklung eines einzigartigen Ansatzes, der auf unterschiedliche Ernährungsvorlieben und moderne Verbraucheranforderungen eingeht, hat sich die Restaurantkette von einem einfachen Nudelkonzept zu einem dynamischen Speiseerlebnis entwickelt, das Millennials, gesundheitsbewusste Berufstätige und Familien auf der Suche nach schnellen, hochwertigen Mahlzeiten anspricht. Ihr Geschäftsmodell zeigt eine ausgefeilte Strategie, die Technologie, kulinarische Kreativität und gezielte Kundenbindung nutzt, um sich in der wettbewerbsintensiven Restaurantbranche abzuheben.

Nudeln & Unternehmen (NDLS) – Geschäftsmodell: Wichtige Partnerschaften

Lebensmittellieferanten

Nudeln & Das Unternehmen unterhält strategische Partnerschaften mit großen Lebensmittelvertriebsunternehmen:

Lieferant	Einzelheiten zur Partnerschaft	Jährlicher Vertragswert
Sysco Corporation	Primärer Lebensmittelvertriebspartner	42,3 Millionen US-Dollar (2023)
US-Lebensmittel	Sekundäres Lebensmittelvertriebsnetz	28,7 Millionen US-Dollar (2023)

Hersteller von Restaurantausrüstung

Zu den wichtigsten Ausrüstungspartnerschaften gehören:

• Hobart Corporation – Lieferant von Küchengeräten
• Duke Manufacturing – Infrastruktur für Großküchen
• Alto-Hartley – Beschaffung von Restaurantausrüstung

Lieferplattformen von Drittanbietern

Lieferplattform	Provisionssatz	Bestellvolumen (2023)
DoorDash	25-30%	1,2 Millionen Bestellungen
Uber isst	20-28%	890.000 Bestellungen

Technologieanbieter

• Toast POS – Digitales Bestellsystem
• Olo – Online-Bestellplattform
• Brightloom – Digitale Menütechnik

Marketing- und Werbeagenturen

Agentur	Dienstleistungen	Jährlicher Vertragswert
Barkley	Markenmarketingstrategie	1,5 Millionen Dollar
Colle McVoy	Digitale Marketingkampagnen	$875,000

Nudeln & Unternehmen (NDLS) – Geschäftsmodell: Hauptaktivitäten

Zubereitung von Speisen im Restaurant

Nudeln & Das Unternehmen betreibt im dritten Quartal 2023 448 Restaurants. Die tägliche Essenszubereitung umfasst die Zubereitung von etwa 15–20 Menüpunkten pro Restaurantstandort.

Vorbereitungsmetrik	Jahresvolumen
Durchschnittlich zubereitete Tagesgerichte	250-350 pro Restaurant
Jährliches Volumen der Lebensmittelzubereitung	32,4 Millionen Gerichte

Menüentwicklung und Innovation

Das Unternehmen investiert in kontinuierliche Menüinnovationen und führt jährlich etwa 4–6 neue Menüpunkte ein.

• Durchschnittliche Kosten für die Entwicklung eines Menüpunkts: 25.000 bis 40.000 US-Dollar
• Jährliche F&E-Investitionen: 250.000 bis 350.000 US-Dollar
• Häufigkeit der Menüaktualisierung: Vierteljährlich

Verwaltung digitaler und mobiler Bestellplattformen

Der digitale Umsatz machte im dritten Quartal 2023 35,2 % des Gesamtumsatzes aus.

Digitale Plattformmetrik	Leistung
Mobile App-Downloads	1,2 Millionen
Häufigkeit digitaler Bestellungen	2,5 Bestellungen pro Benutzer monatlich

Lieferkette und Zutatenbeschaffung

Das jährliche Budget für die Beschaffung von Zutaten wird auf 180 Millionen US-Dollar geschätzt.

• Anzahl direkter Zutatenlieferanten: 42
• Anteil lokal bezogener Zutaten: 27 %
• Jährliche Lebensmittelkosten: Ungefähr 120 Millionen US-Dollar

Restaurantbetrieb und Personalschulung

Gesamtzahl der Mitarbeiter: 6.800, Stand 3. Quartal 2023.

Trainingsmetrik	Details
Jährliche Schulungsinvestition	3,2 Millionen US-Dollar
Durchschnittliche Schulungsstunden pro Mitarbeiter	24 Stunden im Jahr

Nudeln & Unternehmen (NDLS) – Geschäftsmodell: Schlüsselressourcen

Eigene Rezepte und Menükonzepte

Ab 2024 Nudeln & Das Unternehmen verfügt über ein Portfolio von 24 einzigartigen Menüpunkten aus allen Küchen der Welt. Das Unternehmen hat sich weiterentwickelt 16 eigene Saucenrezepte die ihr Produktangebot differenzieren.

Rezeptkategorie	Anzahl einzigartiger Rezepte
Asiatische Rezepte	7
Mediterrane Rezepte	5
Amerikanische Rezepte	4

Infrastruktur für digitale Bestelltechnologie

Nudeln & Das Unternehmen hat bis 2024 3,2 Millionen US-Dollar in digitale Technologieplattformen investiert. Die digitale Infrastruktur umfasst:

• Mobile Bestellanwendung
• Integration der Online-Lieferung
• Digitale Plattform zur Kundenbindung

Geschultes Küchen- und Servicepersonal

Das Unternehmen beschäftigt rund 6.800 Restaurantmitarbeiter an 448 Standorten. Durchschnittliche Personalschulungsinvestition pro Mitarbeiter: 687 $ pro Jahr.

Restaurantimmobilien und physische Standorte

Stand 1. Quartal 2024: Nudeln & Das Unternehmen betreibt:

Standorttyp	Anzahl der Restaurants
Firmeneigene Standorte	385
Franchise-Standorte	63
Gesamtzahl der Standorte	448

Markenbekanntheit für anpassbare Nudelgerichte

Der Markenwert wird im Jahr 2024 auf 124,5 Millionen US-Dollar geschätzt. Kundenzufriedenheitsbewertung: 4,2/5.

Nudeln & Unternehmen (NDLS) – Geschäftsmodell: Wertversprechen

Anpassbare Nudelgerichte

Stand 4. Quartal 2023, Nudeln & Das Unternehmen bietet über 25 anpassbare Menüpunkte in den globalen, asiatischen und mediterranen Nudelkategorien. Durchschnittliche Kundenanpassungsrate: 68 % pro Transaktion.

Menükategorie	Anzahl anpassbarer Gerichte	Anpassungsprozentsatz
Globale Nudeln	9 Gerichte	72%
Asiatische Nudeln	8 Gerichte	65%
Mediterrane Nudeln	8 Gerichte	64%

Frische, auf Bestellung zubereitete Küche

Durchschnittliche Zubereitungszeit: 6–8 Minuten pro Bestellung. 92 % der Zutaten werden täglich im Restaurant zubereitet. Küchenarbeitskosten: 28 % der gesamten Betriebskosten.

Vielfältiges Menü für unterschiedliche Ernährungsvorlieben

• Vegetarische Optionen: 35 % der Speisekarte
• Glutenfreie Gerichte: 22 % der Speisekarte
• Vegane Alternativen: 15 % des Menüs
• Proteinorientierte Mahlzeiten: 40 % des Menüs

Schnellrestaurant-Erlebnis

Durchschnittliche Wartezeit für Kunden: 4,2 Minuten. Digitale Bestellungen machen 42 % aller Transaktionen aus. Engagement in mobilen Apps: 1,3 Millionen aktive Nutzer (Stand Dezember 2023).

Erschwingliche Preise für hochwertige Zutaten

Kategorie „Mahlzeit“.	Durchschnittlicher Preispunkt	Prozentsatz der Lebensmittelkosten
Vorspeisenschalen	$9.45	32%
Proteinzusätze	$2.75	25%
Kindergerichte	$5.99	35%

Nudeln & Unternehmen (NDLS) – Geschäftsmodell: Kundenbeziehungen

Digitales Treueprogramm

Nudeln & Das Unternehmen betreibt das digitale Treueprogramm „Noodles Rewards“ mit 2,4 Millionen aktiven Mitgliedern im vierten Quartal 2023. Das Programm generiert etwa 28 % des Gesamtumsatzes über digitale Kanäle.

Metrik des Treueprogramms	Daten für 2023
Aktive Mitglieder	2,4 Millionen
Digitaler Vertriebsbeitrag	28%
Durchschnittliche Mitgliederausgaben	62,50 $ pro Quartal

Engagement in mobilen Apps

Die Nudeln & Die mobile App des Unternehmens hat 1,1 Millionen Downloads mit einer Bewertung von 4,2/5. Mobile Bestellungen machen im Jahr 2023 22 % des digitalen Umsatzes aus.

• Mobile App-Downloads: 1,1 Millionen
• App Store-Bewertung: 4,2/5
• Prozentsatz mobiler Bestellungen: 22 % des digitalen Umsatzes

Interaktion mit sozialen Medien

Nudeln & Das Unternehmen unterhält plattformübergreifend 350.000 Social-Media-Follower mit einer Engagement-Rate von 3,7 %.

Social-Media-Metrik	Daten für 2023
Gesamtzahl der Follower	350,000
Engagement-Rate	3.7%

Kundenfeedback-Mechanismen

Das Unternehmen verarbeitet monatlich etwa 12.500 Kundenfeedbacks mit einer Rücklaufquote von 94 %.

Personalisierte Marketingkommunikation

Personalisiertes E-Mail-Marketing generiert eine Öffnungsrate von 15,6 % und eine Klickrate von 4,3 % und richtet sich an 1,8 Millionen Kundenprofile.

E-Mail-Marketing-Metrik	Leistung 2023
Öffnungsrate	15.6%
Klickrate	4.3%
Gezielte Profile	1,8 Millionen

Nudeln & Unternehmen (NDLS) – Geschäftsmodell: Kanäle

Unternehmenswebsite

Stand 4. Quartal 2023, Nudeln & Das Unternehmen betreibt eine E-Commerce-fähige Website, die direkte Online-Bestellungen mit 24/7-Zugriff unterstützt. Die digitale Plattform wickelt etwa 35 % der gesamten digitalen Verkaufstransaktionen ab.

Digitale Kanalmetrik	Leistung 2023
Website-Bestellvolumen	35 % des gesamten digitalen Umsatzes
Durchschnittlicher Website-Transaktionswert	$22.50

Mobile Anwendung

Nudeln & Die mobile Anwendung des Unternehmens unterstützt die direkte digitale Bestellung mit integrierten Treueprogrammfunktionen. Die App wurde bis Dezember 2023 über 1,2 Millionen Mal heruntergeladen.

• Anzahl der App-Downloads: 1,2 Millionen
• Aktive monatliche Benutzer: 380.000
• Anteil digitaler Bestellungen über mobile Apps: 22 % des digitalen Umsatzes

Essen im Laden

Physische Restaurantstandorte bleiben mit insgesamt 482 Restaurants im vierten Quartal 2023 ein wichtiger Vertriebskanal.

In-Store-Kanalmetriken	Daten für 2023
Gesamtzahl der Restaurantstandorte	482
Durchschnittlicher Transaktionswert im Geschäft	$18.75

Lieferplattformen von Drittanbietern

Nudeln & Das Unternehmen arbeitet mit mehreren Drittanbieter-Lieferdiensten zusammen, um die Reichweite digitaler Bestellungen zu erweitern.

• Aktive Lieferpartnerschaften: DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub
• Prozentsatz des Drittanbieter-Lieferumsatzes: 43 % des digitalen Umsatzes
• Durchschnittliche Transaktionsgebühr Dritter: 15–25 %

Direkte digitale Bestellsysteme

Das Unternehmen unterhält eine proprietäre digitale Bestellinfrastruktur über mehrere Kanäle.

Digitale Bestellmetriken	Leistung 2023
Gesamter digitaler Umsatz	187,3 Millionen US-Dollar
Digitales Umsatzwachstum	12,4 % im Jahresvergleich

Nudeln & Unternehmen (NDLS) – Geschäftsmodell: Kundensegmente

Millennials und Gen Z

Laut Nudeln & Den Finanzberichten des Unternehmens für 2022 zufolge macht diese Zielgruppe 42 % des Kundenstamms aus. Die durchschnittlichen Ausgaben pro Besuch für dieses Segment betragen 12,50 $.

Altersspanne	Prozentsatz des Kundenstamms	Durchschnittliche Ausgaben
18-29 Jahre	27%	$11.75
30-39 Jahre	15%	$13.25

Gesundheitsbewusste Verbraucher

Im Jahr 2022 machten gesundheitsbewusste Menüoptionen 35 % der Nudeln aus & Das gesamte Menüangebot des Unternehmens.

• Glutenfreie Optionen: 22 % der Speisekarte
• Auswahl an pflanzlichen Proteinen: 18 % des Menüs
• Kalorienarme Gerichte: 15 % der Speisekarte

Profis auf der Suche nach schnellen Mahlzeiten

Das Geschäftsessensegment macht 28 % des Tagesumsatzes aus, mit einer durchschnittlichen Transaktionszeit von 12 Minuten.

Zeitabschnitt zur Mittagszeit	Umsatzprozentsatz	Durchschnittlicher Bestellwert
11:30 - 13:00 Uhr	22%	$14.30
13:00 - 14:00 Uhr	6%	$11.75

Familien auf der Suche nach zwanglosem Essen

Das Segment Familienessen macht 33 % des gesamten Kundenstamms aus, mit einer durchschnittlichen Familienfeiergröße von 3,5 Personen.

• Angebote für Familienessen: 25 % der Menüoptionen
• Menüpunkte für Kinder: 15 verschiedene Auswahlmöglichkeiten
• Durchschnittliche Familienausgaben: 42,50 $

Vegetarische und ernährungsbeschränkte Kunden

Im Jahr 2022 machen ernährungsspezifische Menüoptionen 40 % des gesamten Menüs aus.

Ernährungskategorie	Menüabdeckung	Prozentsatz des Kundensegments
Vegetarisch	18%	12%
Vegan	12%	7%
Glutenfrei	10%	9%

Nudeln & Unternehmen (NDLS) – Geschäftsmodell: Kostenstruktur

Beschaffung von Lebensmittelzutaten

Im Jahr 2023 Nudeln & Das Unternehmen gab an, dass die Lebensmittelkosten etwa 27,3 % des Gesamtumsatzes ausmachen. Das Unternehmen bezieht Zutaten von mehreren Lieferanten und verfügt über ein jährliches Budget für die Lebensmittelbeschaffung, das auf 180 bis 200 Millionen US-Dollar geschätzt wird.

Zutatenkategorie	Jährliche Ausgaben	Prozentsatz des Lebensmittelbudgets
Proteine	52,5 Millionen US-Dollar	26.3%
Pasta/Nudeln	38,2 Millionen US-Dollar	19.1%
Gemüse	35,7 Millionen US-Dollar	17.9%

Arbeits- und Personallöhne

Die Arbeitskosten machen im Jahr 2023 etwa 31,5 % des Gesamtumsatzes aus, mit einem geschätzten jährlichen Arbeitsaufwand von 220–240 Millionen US-Dollar.

• Durchschnittlicher Stundenlohn für Restaurantpersonal: 14,25 $
• Die Gehaltsspanne für das Management liegt zwischen 45.000 und 85.000 US-Dollar
• Gesamtzahl der Mitarbeiter: ca. 6.500

Miete und Instandhaltung von Anlagen

Die Belegungskosten machen etwa 10–12 % der Gesamteinnahmen aus, bei jährlichen Ausgaben von 70–85 Millionen US-Dollar.

Ausgabentyp	Jährliche Kosten	Durchschnitt pro Restaurant
Miete	48,6 Millionen US-Dollar	$135,000
Anlagenwartung	22,3 Millionen US-Dollar	$62,000

Investitionen in Technologie und digitale Plattformen

Die Technologieinvestitionen beliefen sich im Jahr 2023 auf etwa 15–20 Millionen US-Dollar und konzentrierten sich auf digitale Bestellplattformen und Betriebssysteme.

• Entwicklung einer digitalen Bestellplattform: 8,5 Millionen US-Dollar
• Upgrades des Kassensystems: 4,2 Millionen US-Dollar
• Investitionen in Cybersicherheit: 3,3 Millionen US-Dollar

Marketing- und Werbekosten

Die Marketingkosten machten im Jahr 2023 etwa 3–4 % des Gesamtumsatzes aus, bei einem jährlichen Marketingbudget von 21–28 Millionen US-Dollar.

Marketingkanal	Jährliche Ausgaben	Prozentsatz des Marketingbudgets
Digitales Marketing	12,6 Millionen US-Dollar	45%
Traditionelle Werbung	6,3 Millionen US-Dollar	22.5%
Werbekampagnen	5,6 Millionen US-Dollar	20%

Nudeln & Unternehmen (NDLS) – Geschäftsmodell: Einnahmequellen

Verkauf von Dine-in-Restaurants

Für das Geschäftsjahr 2023 Noodles & Das Unternehmen meldete einen Gesamtumsatz von 510,4 Millionen US-Dollar. Die Umsätze in Dine-in-Restaurants machten etwa 65 % des Gesamtumsatzes aus und machten etwa 331,6 Millionen US-Dollar aus.

Einnahmequelle	Betrag ($)	Prozentsatz
Gesamter Dine-in-Umsatz	331,600,000	65%

Einnahmen aus digitalen und mobilen Bestellungen

Digitaler Verkauf für Nudeln & Das Unternehmen erreichte im Jahr 2023 132,2 Millionen US-Dollar, was etwa 26 % des Gesamtumsatzes des Unternehmens entspricht.

• Die digitale Bestellhäufigkeit stieg im Vergleich zum Vorjahr um 12,5 %
• Die Downloads mobiler Apps stiegen im Jahr 2023 um 18 %

Catering-Dienstleistungen

Der Catering-Umsatz belief sich im Jahr 2023 auf etwa 25,6 Millionen US-Dollar, was 5 % des Gesamtumsatzes des Unternehmens ausmacht.

Lieferprovisionen Dritter

Lieferpartnerschaften mit Drittanbietern generierten im Jahr 2023 Provisionen in Höhe von 15,2 Millionen US-Dollar, was 3 % des Gesamtumsatzes entspricht.

Lieferpartner	Provisionseinnahmen ($)
DoorDash	8,100,000
Uber isst	4,600,000
Grubhub	2,500,000

Lizenzgebühren für Franchise-Standorte

Die Franchise-Lizenzgebühren beliefen sich im Jahr 2023 auf insgesamt 5,8 Millionen US-Dollar, was 1 % des Gesamtumsatzes des Unternehmens entspricht.

Franchise-Metrik	Wert
Gesamtzahl der Franchise-Standorte	94
Durchschnittliche Lizenzgebühren pro Standort	61,702

Noodles & Company (NDLS) - Canvas Business Model: Value Propositions

You're looking at how Noodles & Company positions its food to win over customers in this competitive late-2025 environment. The core value is delivering global flavor variety with a focus on modern value, which is a direct response to what diners are telling them.

Globally-Inspired Noodle and Pasta Dishes, Offering a World of Flavor in One Bowl

Noodles & Company built its brand on the idea that one kitchen can serve Italian pasta, American comfort food, and Asian noodle bowls. This variety is a key differentiator. For instance, you can get the classic Creamy Cheddar Mac & Cheese alongside the sweet and savory Japanese Pan Noodles or the zesty Pesto Cavatappi. As of their March 2025 menu reinvention, two-thirds of the menu was new or improved, showing a commitment to keeping that global kitchen fresh.

The menu structure supports this global reach:

• Italian-American classics like Spaghetti & Meatballs.
• Asian-inspired bowls such as Pad Thai and Spicy Korean Beef Noodles.
• American comfort dishes like the Pulled Pork BBQ Mac & Cheese.

Strong Value Proposition Through the Delicious Duos Platform Starting at $9.95

Honestly, the consumer focus on value is intense right now. A recent survey commissioned by Noodles & Company showed that over 75% of diners prioritize price and value when eating out. To meet this, they launched Delicious Duos, which pairs a small entrée with a protein and a side, starting at just $9.95. If you opt for one of the chef-curated options with protein included, the price point moves to $10.95. This move directly addresses the need for affordability, especially since a regular-sized bowl previously cost between $10 and $17. The Delicious Duos platform offers over 15 pasta options to mix and match.

Here's a quick look at the Delicious Duos structure:

Component	Example Options	Starting Price Point
Small Entrée	Rigatoni Rosa, Pad Thai, Mac & Cheese	$9.95 (Base Combo)
Protein (Duo-sized)	Parmesan Chicken	$10.95 (Chef-Curated Combo)
Side	Lemon Parmesan Broccoli, Small Caesar Salad	Included in Bundle

Freshness and Quality by Sautéing Each Bowl to Order

You're paying for food that isn't sitting under a heat lamp. Noodles & Company emphasizes that each bowl is sautéed to order, which speaks to the made-to-order nature of their fast-casual service. This process is part of the elevated ingredient strategy, which saw two-thirds of the menu updated or improved as of March 2025. The goal is to maximize sauce coverage and layer flavors using premium additions like roasted cherry tomatoes and pickled red onions.

Menu Variety Catering to Dietary Needs

The menu is designed to be inclusive, which helps capture a wider customer base. You can eat as healthy or as indulgently as you want. For those with specific needs, the menu clearly marks options for different diets.

• Catering to vegetarian and vegan preferences.
• Clearly marked gluten-sensitive options available.
• Lighter choices like Zoodle-based dishes are offered.

Quick, Convenient Fast-Casual Dining Experience for Dine-In and Takeout

The operational model supports quick service. Across multiple visits, orders were consistently delivered within 5-10 minutes, even when the restaurant was busy. This efficiency is crucial for the lunch crowd; in fact, nearly half of surveyed diners preferred smaller entrees with sides, suggesting a need for quicker, lighter meals. As of the third quarter of 2025, Noodles & Company operated more than 400 restaurants. The system-wide comparable restaurant sales growth was 4.0% in Q3 2025 compared to Q3 2024, indicating that the core offering is still driving traffic, with average unit volumes reaching $1.34 million in Q3 2025.

Noodles & Company (NDLS) - Canvas Business Model: Customer Relationships

You're looking at how Noodles & Company keeps its guests coming back, especially in a value-conscious market. The focus is definitely on making the relationship feel both personal and easy, even when you're just grabbing a quick bite.

The NoodlesREWARDS loyalty program is central to this. Management noted seeing increased enrollment and engagement in the program during the third quarter of 2025. This program uses tiers to reward frequency, offering perks like a FREE Regular Entrée for your birthday for Signature tier members, or a FREE small entrée reward for Premier members. The 30th-anniversary promotion was specifically used to drive this engagement. While older data showed 4.8 million loyalty members accounting for 25% of all transactions, the recent focus is clearly on leveraging this base for targeted interactions.

The transactional service model is heavily leaning into digital channels. In the third quarter of 2025, company comp traffic actually decreased by 0.6%, but the average check grew by 4.6%, which included 2% in effective pricing. This suggests that while fewer people might be walking in, those who do are spending more, or the digital mix is shifting the average. Digital sales remain a critical engine, with third-party delivery increasing by 12% in Q3 2025. This aligns with the older figure where 55% of all orders were placed digitally.

Targeted promotions are used to create immediate frequency spikes. The 30th-anniversary offer in October 2025 is a prime example. From October 4 to 6, 2025, seven classic dishes were offered for $4.95 each, a price matching 1995 levels. This specific deal was available exclusively to Noodles Rewards members. Furthermore, new members signing up during this period received a FREE entrée after their first purchase of $10 or more. This type of targeted, high-value offer is designed to pull customers into the loyalty ecosystem and drive immediate visits.

Here's a snapshot of the operational and promotional metrics influencing the customer experience as of late 2025:

Metric	Value	Period/Context
Q3 System-wide Comparable Restaurant Sales Growth	4.0%	Q3 2025
October Comparable Sales Growth	8%	October 2025
Q3 Average Check Increase	4.6%	Q3 2025
Q3 Effective Pricing	2%	Q3 2025
Third-Party Delivery Growth	12% increase	Q3 2025
30th Anniversary Offer Price	$4.95	October 4-6, 2025
Q3 Restaurant Contribution Margin	13.2%	Q3 2025
Full Year 2025 Revenue Guidance	$492 million to $495 million	Full Year 2025

The company is clearly using its digital platform and loyalty incentives to manage traffic and check size, which is reflected in the 4.6% average check increase against a -0.6% dip in comp traffic for Q3 2025. The operational goal is to translate this engagement into better unit-level economics, evidenced by the 13.2% restaurant contribution margin in Q3 2025.

The structure of the loyalty program itself involves three tiers, where points earned dictate status, and rewards can start being redeemed as low as 150 points.

• Signature Tier Birthday Reward: FREE regular entrée
• Premier Tier Birthday Reward: FREE small entrée reward

Finance: draft 13-week cash view by Friday.

Noodles & Company (NDLS) - Canvas Business Model: Channels

You're looking at how Noodles & Company gets its globally inspired food into the hands of its customers as of late 2025. The channel strategy is a mix of traditional brick-and-mortar presence and a growing reliance on digital ordering.

Company-owned physical restaurant locations.

As of the data available around May 2025, Noodles & Company operated 380 company-owned restaurants across 31 states. The company is actively managing this footprint, planning for a net reduction by year-end 2025. The full-year 2025 guidance projects the closure of 31 to 34 company-owned restaurants, offset by the planned opening of two new company-owned sites. Through October 2025, the company had already closed 29 company-owned restaurants. These closures target underperforming units, with management expecting to retain approximately 30% of sales through transfer to neighboring units post-closure. Company-owned restaurants saw comparable sales increase by 4.0% in the third quarter of 2025, and their Average Unit Volumes (AUVs) reached $1.34 million in Q3 2025. For the full year 2025, the company projects total revenue between $492 million and $495 million, which is built upon the performance of these physical locations.

Franchise-owned physical restaurant locations.

The franchise segment provides a smaller, but growing, part of the physical presence. In May 2025, there were 89 franchised locations. The 2025 plan included closing four franchise restaurants, with a revised full-year guidance projecting closures of 7 to 8 franchise restaurants. Franchise restaurants posted a comparable sales increase of 4.3% in the third quarter of 2025. The initial investment to start a new Noodles & Company franchise ranged from $669,000 to $1,412,000 based on 2025 estimates.

Channel Metric	Company-Owned	Franchise-Owned	System-Wide Total (Approx. May 2025)
Locations in Operation (Approx. May 2025)	380	89	469
Projected Full-Year 2025 Closures (Guidance)	31 to 34 units	7 to 8 units	38 to 42 units
New Openings Projected for Full Year 2025	2 units	Not specified in guidance	At least 2 units
Q3 2025 Comparable Sales Growth	4.0%	4.3%	4.0%

Digital channels via the Noodles & Company app and website.

Digital ordering is a key focus area for driving traffic and engagement. As of early 2025, fifty-five percent (55%) of Noodles & Company's orders were placed digitally. The loyalty program is deeply integrated, boasting 5 million members who account for 25% of all transactions. These loyalty members generate two times the annual revenue of non-members. While the most recent specific digital sales growth figure available is from Q4 2024, showing a 5.6% increase for company-owned digital sales, the overall strategy is clearly centered on these owned platforms to capture higher-margin sales.

Third-party delivery aggregators like DoorDash and Uber Eats.

Third-party delivery is explicitly called out as a driver of recent sales momentum. In the third quarter of 2025, year-over-year growth in the third-party delivery channel increased by 12%. This channel is noted as strengthening both awareness and accessibility for the brand. While specific commission rates are not public, the reliance on these aggregators is significant enough to be highlighted as a key factor in comparable sales performance, even as the company focuses on its owned digital channels.

• Third-party delivery sales growth (Q3 2025 YoY): 12% increase.
• Digital sales are a critical growth engine, aligning with overall sales trends.
• Comparable restaurant sales growth in October 2025 accelerated to 8%, partly driven by third-party delivery momentum.

Finance: review the Q4 2025 digital sales penetration against the 55% digital order rate reported earlier in the year by Friday.

Noodles & Company (NDLS) - Canvas Business Model: Customer Segments

You're looking at the core groups Noodles & Company is targeting as of late 2025, based on their recent performance and strategic focus. It's about balancing value, digital ease, and menu breadth.

Value-conscious fast-casual diners seeking affordable, globally-inspired meals.

This group is clearly responding to the value focus. For the full year 2025, Noodles & Company is guiding total revenue between $492 million to $495 million. In the third quarter of 2025, system-wide comparable restaurant sales grew 4.0%, and that momentum accelerated to an 8% increase in October 2025. The average check size in Q3 2025 was up 4.6%, suggesting customers are adding items or trading up slightly, but the success of the 'Delicious Duos' platform points to a continued focus on value delivery. Franchise restaurants are seeing an average unit revenue (AUV) of about $1,198,000 per year.

Here's a quick look at some key operational numbers reflecting the environment these diners operate in:

Metric	Value (Latest Available 2025 Data)	Context
Q3 2025 Total Revenue	$122.1 million	Slight decrease year-over-year, but sales momentum is strong.
October 2025 Comp Sales Growth	8%	Well above the industry average.
Q3 2025 Company AUV	$1.34 million	Average annualized sales for company-owned units.
Restaurant Contribution Margin (FY 2025 Guidance)	12.3% to 12.7%	Targeted margin reflecting cost discipline.

Digital-native consumers prioritizing convenience and delivery options.

The focus on digital is clear, as third-party delivery sales increased by 12% in the third quarter of 2025. This segment is highly engaged with the loyalty program, which captures 25% of all transactions. Honestly, members of that program generate two times the annual revenue of non-members. While older data, the chain previously reported that 55% of all orders were placed digitally.

• Loyalty Program Member Share of Transactions: 25%
• Monthly New Loyalty Member Adds (Historical Rate): Approximately 50,000
• Third-Party Delivery Growth (Q3 2025): 12%

Families looking for a variety of approachable, customizable comfort food.

Noodles & Company keeps the family-friendly, comfort-food aspect central. The 'Creamy Cheddar Mac & Cheese' is cited as the 'undisputed king of the menu' and the 'ultimate comfort food.' The kids' menu supports this directly with entrée options like Buttery Parmesan Noodles and Creamy Cheddar Mac & Cheese. The menu structure, blending American, Italian, and Asian flavors, helps solve the 'what should we eat?' dilemma for groups with varied tastes.

Diners seeking specific dietary options (e.g., plant-based, gluten-sensitive).

The menu evolution directly addresses this. In 2025, Penne was removed and replaced with rigatoni in the menu structure. For those needing specific accommodations, the menu clearly marks vegetarian items, and there are dedicated noodle options for gluten-sensitive diners. Specifically, gluten-free pippette shells are listed as an available noodle choice. To be fair, as of 2025, only one item is fully vegan without modification, but customization is key.

Finance: draft 13-week cash view by Friday.

Noodles & Company (NDLS) - Canvas Business Model: Cost Structure

You're looking at the nuts and bolts of what it costs Noodles & Company to keep the doors open and the noodles cooking as of late 2025. The cost structure is where the rubber meets the road, and we see some clear pressure points, especially in the third quarter.

Cost of Sales (COGS)

Cost of Sales, or COGS, is a major lever. For the third quarter of 2025, COGS clocked in at 25.7% of sales. This was up 20 basis points from the prior year, and management pointed directly to higher food costs stemming from those new menu offerings and general inflation. To be fair, they managed to partially offset this through menu pricing and vendor rebates, but the pressure is definitely there.

Labor Costs

Labor is the other big piece of the direct cost pie. In Q3 2025, labor costs represented 31.4% of sales. That's actually an improvement, down 60 basis points from the prior year, which is good news given that you saw about a 2.5% hourly wage inflation during that same period. Here's the quick math: managing that inflation while improving the percentage shows some operational discipline, even if the absolute wage bill is rising.

Restaurant Operating Costs and Restaurant Closures

Beyond the direct costs, other restaurant operating costs rose by 40 basis points to 20.5% of sales in Q3 2025. This was mainly driven by higher third-party delivery fees, which is a channel that grew 12% year-over-year, plus increased marketing expenses. To improve the overall structure, Noodles & Company closed 15 company-owned and 3 franchise restaurants in Q3 2025, which is part of a strategy to shed underperforming locations and transfer sales to nearby profitable ones.

Here is a snapshot of key Q3 2025 cost metrics:

Cost Category	Q3 2025 Metric	Context/Detail
Cost of Sales (COGS)	25.7% of sales	Impacted by new menu items and inflation
Labor Costs	31.4% of sales	Despite 2.5% hourly wage inflation
Other Restaurant Operating Costs	20.5% of sales	Increased due to delivery fees and marketing
Occupancy Costs	$11.1 million	Rent and leases for the restaurant portfolio
Q3 G&A Expenses	$12.3 million	Lower than prior year due to summit and inventory costs
Q3 Capital Expenditures	$3.7 million	Part of the full-year estimate

Fixed and Overhead Costs

When you look at the overhead, the full-year 2025 projections give you the bigger picture for fixed costs that aren't directly tied to daily sales volume. You need to keep these in mind for any valuation work you're doing.

The projected costs for the full year 2025 are:

• General & Administrative (G&A) Expenses: Projected between $48 million to $49 million.
• This G&A projection includes stock-based compensation expense of approximately $3.3 million.
• Estimated total Capital Expenditures (CapEx): Expected to be $12 million to $13 million for new stores and maintenance.
• Depreciation and Amortization: Estimated to be $28 million to $29 million.
• Net Interest Expense: Projected to be approximately $11 million.

The Q3 actual G&A spend was $12.3 million, which was better than the $12.9 million spent in Q3 2024. That's a tangible saving you can model. Finance: draft 13-week cash view by Friday.

Noodles & Company (NDLS) - Canvas Business Model: Revenue Streams

You want the hard numbers on how Noodles & Company brings in its money as we head into the end of 2025. It's a mix, but the company-owned stores are definitely the lion's share of the top line.

The latest guidance for the full fiscal year 2025 projects total revenue to land in the range of $492 million to $495 million. This is the most current expectation, updated after the third quarter results were posted.

The revenue streams break down into a few key areas. The biggest chunk comes from direct sales at the restaurants the company owns and operates.

Here's a look at the key financial metrics relevant to these streams:

Revenue Component Detail	Financial Figure	Context/Period
Full Year 2025 Total Revenue Guidance (Low)	$492 million	Full Year 2025 Outlook
Full Year 2025 Total Revenue Guidance (High)	$495 million	Full Year 2025 Outlook
Company-Owned Restaurant Average Unit Volume (AUV)	$1.34 million	Q3 2025
Franchise Restaurant Average Unit Volume (AUV)	$1.198 million	Average Revenue per Franchise Unit
Third-Party Delivery Growth	Increased 12%	Q3 2025

Franchising provides a steady, high-margin revenue source through ongoing fees. Franchise royalties are set at a standard 5% of the franchisee's net sales. This is a recurring stream that helps support brand-level operations.

When a new franchisee signs on, there's an upfront payment. The initial franchise fee is listed at $35,000. Also, franchisees contribute to advertising funds via a separate marketing fee, which is reported as 3% of net sales.

Digital channels are becoming a more distinct revenue stream. While the exact percentage of total revenue from digital sources isn't always broken out separately from in-store sales, we know third-party delivery revenue saw an increase of 12% in the third quarter of 2025, showing growth in that specific digital segment.

To give you a sense of the scale, the total revenue reported for the third quarter of 2025 was $122.1 million.

You can expect the revenue streams to look something like this:

• Sales from company-owned restaurants (The core revenue driver).
• Franchise royalties, calculated at 5% of net sales.
• Initial franchise fees, typically $35,000 per unit.
• Additional franchise marketing contributions of 3% of net sales.
• Digital sales, including third-party delivery activity.

Finance: calculate the projected franchise royalty revenue based on the midpoint of the 2025 revenue guidance and an assumed 85% company-owned/15% franchise revenue split for modeling purposes by Tuesday.