Noodles & Company to close more locations: Doomed list now up to 21 as restaurant chains trim down in 2025

Noodles & Company, the fast-casual chain known for serving an array of noodle-based dishes, will shutter up to 21 restaurants.The brand, founded in Denver, Colorado in 1995, has already closed at least nine locations over the past year. In a conference call last week, chief financial officer Michael Hynes said, “We expect to close 13 to 17 company-owned and four franchise restaurants in 2025.” The most recent count is up from a previous estimate of 12 to 15 company-owned closures. Noodles & Company currently has 380 company-owned restaurants and 89 franchised locations in 31 states. According to the brand’s website, the impending closures are due to higher food costs and increased marketing expenses. Recently, Noodles & Company revamped its menu and, according to QSR, saw revenue tick upward, rising 2% in the first quarter, with same-store sales increasing 4.4% and a 4.7% gain at company-owned locations. And despite the looming closures, Noodles & Company maintains a positive outlook. In a May 7 press release announcing first-quarter financial results, chief executive officer Drew Madsen explained that the company has actually been growing. “We are very pleased with the strong comparable restaurant sales and traffic performance we achieved during the first quarter despite a challenging macroeconomic environment,” Madsen said. “Our momentum is being driven by our fully reimagined new menu that launched on March 12, supported by increased marketing investment and a new brand strategy. Since the new menu introduction, comparable sales have increased by approximately 5% through April.” Nation’s Restaurant News also reported that according to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Noodles & Company is opening at least two new restaurants this year. Fast-casual restaurants have been struggling amid higher food costs and slower foot traffic. In 2024, TGI Fridays, Bloomin’ Brands, Hooters, and Denny’s all closed underperforming locations, while other chains like BurgerFi, Red Lobster, and Sticky Fingers filed for bankruptcy. Most recently, fast-casual and fast-food chains Chipotle and McDonald’s have seen weaker sales. Noodles & Company has not released a list of the closing restaurant locations and did not immediately respond to a Fast Company inquiry.

May 15, 2025 - 23:38

Noodles & Company to close more locations: Doomed list now up to 21 as restaurant chains trim down in 2025

Noodles & Company, the fast-casual chain known for serving an array of noodle-based dishes, will shutter up to 21 restaurants.

The brand, founded in Denver, Colorado in 1995, has already closed at least nine locations over the past year. In a conference call last week, chief financial officer Michael Hynes said, “We expect to close 13 to 17 company-owned and four franchise restaurants in 2025.” The most recent count is up from a previous estimate of 12 to 15 company-owned closures.

Noodles & Company currently has 380 company-owned restaurants and 89 franchised locations in 31 states. According to the brand’s website, the impending closures are due to higher food costs and increased marketing expenses.

Recently, Noodles & Company revamped its menu and, according to QSR, saw revenue tick upward, rising 2% in the first quarter, with same-store sales increasing 4.4% and a 4.7% gain at company-owned locations.

And despite the looming closures, Noodles & Company maintains a positive outlook. In a May 7 press release announcing first-quarter financial results, chief executive officer Drew Madsen explained that the company has actually been growing.

“We are very pleased with the strong comparable restaurant sales and traffic performance we achieved during the first quarter despite a challenging macroeconomic environment,” Madsen said. “Our momentum is being driven by our fully reimagined new menu that launched on March 12, supported by increased marketing investment and a new brand strategy. Since the new menu introduction, comparable sales have increased by approximately 5% through April.”

Nation’s Restaurant News also reported that according to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Noodles & Company is opening at least two new restaurants this year.

Fast-casual restaurants have been struggling amid higher food costs and slower foot traffic. In 2024, TGI Fridays, Bloomin’ Brands, Hooters, and Denny’s all closed underperforming locations, while other chains like BurgerFi, Red Lobster, and Sticky Fingers filed for bankruptcy. Most recently, fast-casual and fast-food chains Chipotle and McDonald’s have seen weaker sales.

Noodles & Company has not released a list of the closing restaurant locations and did not immediately respond to a Fast Company inquiry.