Company Overview - Noodles & Company has appointed Joe Christina as President and Chief Operating Officer, bringing over three decades of leadership experience in the restaurant industry [1][2] - The company operates over 460 restaurants and employs around 7,000 team members, focusing on globally inspired flavors and comfort dishes [6] Leadership and Strategy - Joe Christina is recognized for his operational expertise and a strong track record in driving growth and innovation within the restaurant sector [2] - His previous roles include significant positions at Burger King, Church's Chicken, and Tijuana Flats, where he achieved notable revenue and EBITDA growth [3][4] - Christina aims to enhance operational excellence, menu innovation, and expand catering services to unlock new growth opportunities for Noodles & Company [3] Transition and Future Plans - Christina succeeds Brad West, who retired in 2024 after eight years as COO, and will assist in the transition until June 2025 [5] - The company plans to introduce a comprehensive new menu in the first half of the year, which Christina will oversee [2]

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Feb. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Noodles & Company (NASDAQ: NDLS) today announced that it will host a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. ET. Drew Madsen, Chief Executive Officer, and Mike Hynes, Chief Financial Officer, will host the call. A press release with fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results will be issued after the market close that same day. The conference call can be accessed li ...

Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on buying stocks that are trending upwards rather than undervalued stocks, with the belief that one can achieve higher returns in a shorter time frame [1] Group 1: Momentum Investing Strategy - Momentum investing is characterized by the approach of "buying high and selling higher," contrasting with the traditional "buy low and sell high" strategy [1] - Identifying the right entry point for momentum stocks can be challenging, as these stocks may lose momentum if their valuations exceed future growth potential [1] Group 2: Noodles & Co. (NDLS) as a Momentum Stock - Noodles & Co. (NDLS) has shown significant price momentum, with a four-week price change of 132.6%, indicating strong investor interest [3] - Over the past 12 weeks, NDLS has gained 110.5%, demonstrating its ability to deliver positive returns over a longer time frame [4] - NDLS has a beta of 1.77, suggesting it moves 77% more than the market in either direction, indicating fast-paced momentum [4] Group 3: Valuation and Earnings Estimates - NDLS has a Momentum Score of B, suggesting it is an opportune time to invest in the stock to capitalize on its momentum [5] - The stock has a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) due to upward revisions in earnings estimates, which typically attract more investor interest [6] - NDLS is trading at a Price-to-Sales ratio of 0.15, indicating it is relatively cheap, as investors pay only 15 cents for each dollar of sales [6] Group 4: Additional Investment Opportunities - Besides NDLS, there are other stocks that meet the criteria of the 'Fast-Paced Momentum at a Bargain' screen, presenting additional investment opportunities [7] - The Zacks Premium Screens offer over 45 different strategies to help identify potential winning stocks based on various investing styles [8]

Core Insights - Noodles & Company has reintroduced its best-selling dish, Steak Stroganoff, for a limited time, available at all locations nationwide [1][2] - The dish features wavy egg noodles in a rich mushroom sherry cream sauce, complemented by marinated steak and parmesan cheese, appealing to customers seeking comfort food [2][3] - The return of Steak Stroganoff is part of a broader strategy for Noodles & Company in 2025, aiming to meet customer demand and enhance brand loyalty [3] Product Offering - Steak Stroganoff sold out in just two weeks during its previous return in 2024, marking it as one of the most successful limited-time offerings in the company's history [2] - The dish is designed to provide a hearty and satisfying meal experience, reinforcing its status as a timeless classic [2] Customer Engagement - Noodles & Company promotes its Goodness Guarantee program, allowing customers to exchange their entrée for a different dish if they are not satisfied [3] - The company encourages customers to join Noodles Rewards, offering incentives such as a free entrée after the first purchase and exclusive member offers [4] Catering Services - Noodles Catering is available for events, providing a variety of options including Steak Stroganoff, with convenient online ordering and delivery [5] Company Background - Founded in 1995, Noodles & Company operates over 460 restaurants and has received multiple accolades for its workplace culture and diversity initiatives [6][7] - The company has been recognized as one of America's Best Employers for Diversity and Women, and has received awards for its employee benefits and workplace environment [6][7]

Core Insights - Noodles & Company (NDLS) reported a notable improvement in sales for the fiscal fourth quarter ending December 31, 2024, exceeding the BlackBox Fast Casual Index in both sales and customer traffic [1][2] - The company experienced a 0.8% year-over-year increase in system-wide comparable sales, with company-owned restaurants growing by 0.5% and franchise locations by 1.9% [2] - Digital sales for company-owned restaurants increased by 5.6% year-over-year, contributing to the overall sales growth [2] Sales Performance - The improvement in comparable sales was attributed to the introduction of three new menu items and promotional offers during the first two months of the quarter [3] - The strongest sales performance occurred in the last four weeks of the quarter, following the end of promotional activities [3] Strategic Outlook - The recovery in sales and traffic during Q4 provides a solid foundation for Noodles & Company as it enters 2025 [4] - The company is focused on menu transformation, enhancing digital channels, and expanding its loyalty program [4] - NDLS plans to strengthen its balance sheet by strategically reducing planned capital expenditures in 2025 [4] Stock Performance - NDLS shares have declined by 72.3% over the past year, contrasting with a 4.3% growth in the Retail - Restaurants industry [7] - Despite the challenging consumer environment, the company's focus on menu innovation and digital capabilities is expected to support its growth prospects [7]

Company to Host Investor Meetings at 27th Annual ICR ConferenceBROOMFIELD, Colo., Jan. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Noodles & Company (Nasdaq: NDLS) today released preliminary, unaudited sales results for the fourth fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2024. Preliminary Fourth Quarter of 2024 Sales Results Compared to the Fourth Quarter of 20231: Fourth quarter system-wide comparable sales increased 0.8%, comprised of a 0.5% increase at company-owned restaurants and a 1.9% increase at franchise restaurants.Fou ...

Experience Craveable Moments this Season with Weekly Limited-Edition Crispy Drops, Available All Month Long BROOMFIELD, Colo., Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Noodles & Company (NASDAQ: NDLS), the fast-casual brand known for delivering Uncommon Goodness, is serving up holiday cheer with the return of its fan-favorite Holiday CrispiDays celebration. Starting today, guests can enjoy a new limited-edition Holiday Crispy flavor each week, adding a festive twist to its renowned classic treat. These exclusive flavor ...

Cozy Up This Season with Exclusive Noodles Gear, Limited-Edition Merch, and a Can't-Miss Black Friday DealBROOMFIELD, Colo., Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Just in time for holiday shopping, Noodles & Company (NASDAQ: NDLS), the fast-casual chain known for spreading Uncommon Goodness, is turning up the heat this holiday season with its first-ever Noodles Merch Store, launching today. The exclusive Noodles merchandise includes a festive winter-themed sweater, branded holiday onesie, and even matching bandanas ...

Core Insights - Noodles & Company is launching a new lineup of specialty Mac & Cheese dishes, enhancing its menu with bold flavors and made-to-order options available in select markets [1][3][4] Product Innovation - The new specialty Mac & Cheese offerings include Buffalo Chicken Ranch, Garlic Bacon Ranch, and Pulled Pork BBQ, each featuring unique ingredients and flavors [3][4] - The Wisconsin Mac & Cheese remains the best-selling item, with over 10 million bowls sold in 2023 [3] Culinary Evolution - The introduction of specialty Mac & Cheese marks a significant step in the brand's culinary evolution, with additional new dishes like Chicken Riggie and a Green Goddess Salad being tested in select markets [5] Customer Engagement - Noodles & Company offers a "Goodness Guarantee," allowing customers to exchange their dish for another if they are not satisfied [6] - The Noodles Rewards program provides incentives for customers, including a free entree after the first purchase and exclusive offers [7] Catering and Convenience - The new Mac & Cheese dishes are available for catering, making them suitable for various events, and can be ordered online or via the mobile app [8] Company Background - Noodles & Company has been serving diverse noodle dishes since 1995, with over 460 locations and a strong reputation for employee benefits and community engagement [9]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q3 2024 decreased by 4.0% year-over-year to $122.8 million [41] - System-wide comparable restaurant sales decreased by 3.3%, with company-owned restaurants down 3.4% and franchise restaurants down 2.9% [41] - Company average unit volumes were $1.27 million, and restaurant level contribution margin fell to 12.8% from 16.4% in Q3 2023 [42] - Net loss for Q3 was $6.8 million, translating to a loss of $0.15 per diluted share, compared to a net income of $700,000 or earnings of $0.02 per diluted share last year [46] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Catering sales increased from 1% in 2022 to 1.7% year-to-date in 2024, with a goal of reaching 4% to 5% in the future [34] - The introduction of new menu items has led to improved traffic trends, with a decrease in negative traffic from approximately -6% to -0.8% in Q4 to date [25] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a significant decline in third-party delivery sales starting late July, which negatively impacted overall sales [10][32] - The competitive environment has led to increased promotional activities, affecting same-store sales negatively in August and September [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on long-term growth through menu innovation and operational excellence, with a strategic shift from aggressive discounting to enhancing guest experience [8][12] - Five strategic priorities have been established to drive sustainable growth, including operations excellence, menu transformation, digital ecosystem leverage, catering growth, and financial foundation strengthening [14][38] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenging consumer environment and competitive discounting but expressed confidence in the company's long-term growth potential [6][12] - The company is optimistic about the positive early results from menu innovations and plans to continue enhancing its digital and catering channels [11][28] Other Important Information - The company has reduced capital expenditures from $52 million in 2023 to a projected $29 million to $31 million in 2024 [38] - A new app for Android and iOS is set to launch in Q4, aimed at improving customer engagement and conversion rates [31] Q&A Session Summary Question: Sales trajectory throughout the quarter - Management noted a significant drop in third-party delivery sales at the end of July, which contributed to the company's inability to mirror industry trends in August [56] Question: Details on delivery sales drop - The drop was attributed to changes in the delivery platform's algorithm rather than a shift in consumer behavior [62] Question: Guidance and confidence in trends - Management provided a wide range for guidance to account for variability in the current environment, expressing confidence in ongoing positive trends [65] Question: Free cash flow generation expectations - The company anticipates being free cash flow positive for the full year 2025, supported by lower capital expenditures [66]