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Noodles & Company (NDLS)
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Noodles & Co (NDLS) AI Stock Analysis

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NDLS

Noodles & Co

(NASDAQ:NDLS)

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Neutral 46 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:46Neutral
Price Target:
$0.70
▼(-3.47% Downside)
The overall stock score is primarily impacted by significant financial challenges, including declining revenues, high leverage, and liquidity issues. While the earnings call provided some positive outlooks, the technical analysis and valuation remain weak, contributing to a low overall score.
Positive Factors
Comparable Sales Growth
The growth in comparable sales indicates strong customer engagement and market competitiveness, suggesting potential for sustained revenue improvement.
Digital Sales Growth
Increased digital sales enhance convenience and reach, aligning with consumer trends towards online ordering, supporting long-term revenue growth.
Improved Restaurant Contribution Margins
Margin improvement reflects effective cost management and operational efficiency, which are crucial for long-term profitability and financial health.
Negative Factors
Declining Revenue
The decline in total revenue highlights challenges in maintaining sales momentum, which could pressure financial performance if not addressed.
High Leverage
High leverage increases financial risk and limits flexibility, potentially impacting the company's ability to invest in growth opportunities.
Negative Cash Flow
Negative cash flow indicates liquidity challenges, which can hinder the company's ability to fund operations and strategic initiatives.

Noodles & Co (NDLS) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Noodles & Co Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionNoodles & Company (NDLS) is a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in globally inspired noodle dishes, salads, and soups. Founded in 1995, the company operates in the food service sector, offering a diverse menu that includes pasta from various cuisines such as Italian, Asian, and American. Noodles & Company focuses on providing fresh, high-quality ingredients and customizable meals in a casual dining environment, catering to a wide range of dietary preferences including vegetarian and gluten-free options.
How the Company Makes MoneyNoodles & Company generates revenue primarily through the sale of its food and beverage offerings in its restaurants. The company operates both company-owned and franchised locations, with revenue coming from direct sales to customers. Key revenue streams include dine-in, take-out, and catering services. In addition, Noodles & Company has embraced digital ordering and delivery partnerships with third-party services, enhancing sales through online channels. The company may also generate income through promotional partnerships, limited-time menu offerings, and loyalty programs that encourage repeat customers, contributing to its overall earnings.

Noodles & Co Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 05, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Mar 05, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call revealed strong performance in comparable sales growth and strategic initiatives, such as the Delicious Duos platform and digital sales improvements. However, challenges remain with a slight decrease in total revenue and a net loss impacted by restaurant closures.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Comparable Sales Growth
Comparable sales grew 4% in the third quarter, with an acceleration to 8% in October, outperforming the industry average.
Digital Sales and NoodlesREWARDS Program
Digital sales, driven by third-party delivery, increased by 12%. Enrollment in the NoodlesREWARDS program also increased, supported by targeted promotions.
Introduction of Delicious Duos Platform
The Delicious Duos platform has been successful, mixing around 4% to 5% of sales and being viewed as a regular menu option.
Improved Restaurant Contribution Margins
Restaurant contribution margins improved by 40 basis points, with an adjusted EBITDA increase of 33%, driven by sales improvement and cost controls.
Strategic Restaurant Closures
The strategic closure of underperforming restaurants is expected to improve 2026 restaurant-level contribution by over $2 million.
Negative Updates
Total Revenue Decline
Total revenue decreased by 0.5% compared to last year, with a net loss of $9.2 million in the third quarter.
Impact of Restaurant Closures on Net Loss
The net loss for the third quarter included a $5.3 million non-cash impairment charge related to the closure of underperforming restaurants.
Slight Decrease in Company Comp Traffic
Company comp traffic decreased slightly by 0.6% during the third quarter, though it was positive in the second half of the quarter.
Company Guidance
During Noodles & Company's Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, the company provided a positive outlook, highlighting several key metrics and initiatives driving growth. Comparable sales increased by 4% in Q3, with momentum accelerating to an 8% increase in October, surpassing industry averages. Digital sales, particularly through third-party delivery, grew by 12%, while the Delicious Duos platform launched in late July contributed significantly to sales, mixing at approximately 4-5% across the business. Additionally, restaurant contribution margins improved by 40 basis points to 13.2%, and adjusted EBITDA rose by 33% to $6.5 million. The company also noted a strategic focus on closing underperforming restaurants, projecting a positive impact on 2026 restaurant-level contribution by over $2 million. For the full year 2025, Noodles & Company expects total revenue between $492 million and $495 million, with comp restaurant sales growth of 3.6% to 4.2% and capital expenditures of $12 million to $13 million.

Noodles & Co Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Noodles & Co is facing significant financial challenges. The income statement shows declining revenues and profitability, with a negative growth rate and margins. The balance sheet reflects high leverage and negative equity, indicating financial instability. Cash flow analysis reveals liquidity issues with negative operating and free cash flows. Overall, the financial health is concerning.
Income Statement
45
Neutral
Noodles & Co has experienced a decline in revenue growth, with a negative growth rate of -18.5% in the TTM period. The company is facing profitability challenges, as indicated by negative net profit and EBIT margins. The gross profit margin has also decreased from previous periods, reflecting increased cost pressures. Overall, the income statement reflects a challenging operating environment with declining revenues and profitability.
Balance Sheet
30
Negative
The balance sheet shows significant leverage, with a high debt-to-equity ratio of -3.28 in the TTM period, indicating financial risk. The company's stockholders' equity is negative, which is concerning for financial stability. Return on equity is positive due to negative equity, but this is not a sustainable situation. Overall, the balance sheet reflects high financial risk and instability.
Cash Flow
40
Negative
Cash flow analysis reveals negative operating and free cash flows in the TTM period, indicating liquidity challenges. The free cash flow to net income ratio is high due to negative net income, but this is not a positive indicator. The company needs to improve its cash generation to support operations and reduce financial risk.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue494.75M493.27M503.40M509.48M475.15M393.65M
Gross Profit117.45M168.96M84.21M80.17M82.08M51.54M
EBITDA-4.77M1.29M21.76M22.44M28.15M1.68M
Net Income-43.06M-36.21M-9.86M-3.31M3.67M-23.26M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets294.57M324.65M368.10M343.84M341.46M353.63M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments2.26M1.15M3.01M1.52M2.25M7.84M
Total Debt278.90M291.50M298.94M264.16M249.78M280.42M
Total Liabilities325.35M330.23M340.94M305.48M303.83M323.93M
Stockholders Equity-30.77M-5.58M27.16M38.36M37.63M29.70M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-18.24M-21.21M-24.55M-24.33M17.39M-2.66M
Operating Cash Flow-986.00K7.56M27.50M9.56M36.16M9.12M
Investing Cash Flow-17.26M-26.71M-51.80M-32.31M-18.37M-10.95M
Financing Cash Flow18.70M17.29M25.80M22.02M-23.38M-798.00K

Noodles & Co Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price0.72
Price Trends
50DMA
0.68
Positive
100DMA
0.74
Negative
200DMA
0.87
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
>-0.01
Negative
RSI
53.12
Neutral
STOCH
76.38
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For NDLS, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 0.72 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 0.69, above the 50-day MA of 0.68, and below the 200-day MA of 0.87, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of >-0.01 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 53.12 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 76.38 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for NDLS.

Noodles & Co Risk Analysis

Noodles & Co disclosed 37 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Noodles & Co reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Noodles & Co Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
76
Outperform
$33.11M12.5220.05%0.35%9.25%
71
Outperform
$57.24M13.256.88%1.79%8.83%41.90%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
51
Neutral
$14.14M11.443.85%1.84%12.10%
47
Neutral
$25.60M-1.83-33.50%-6.89%-42.75%
46
Neutral
$32.83M-0.35%-37.02%
41
Neutral
$32.02M-0.14517.12%-5.26%-44.78%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
NDLS
Noodles & Co
0.72
-0.03
-4.00%
ARKR
Ark Restaurants
6.94
-3.76
-35.14%
BDL
Flanigan's Enterprises
30.80
6.70
27.80%
GTIM
Good Times Restaurants
1.29
-1.43
-52.57%
RAVE
Rave Restaurant Group
2.86
-0.18
-5.92%
FAT
Fat Brands
0.58
-2.44
-80.66%

Noodles & Co Corporate Events

Noodles & Company Earnings Call Reveals Mixed Sentiment
Nov 7, 2025

Noodles & Company recently held its earnings call, revealing a mixed sentiment. The company showcased strong performance in comparable sales growth and strategic initiatives, such as the Delicious Duos platform and digital sales improvements. However, challenges persist, including a slight decrease in total revenue and a net loss impacted by restaurant closures.

Noodles & Company Reports Q3 2025 Financial Results
Nov 6, 2025

Noodles & Company, a fast-casual restaurant chain known for its diverse noodle dishes, operates in the restaurant industry with a focus on globally inspired flavors and a people-first culture.

Business Operations and StrategyM&A Transactions
Noodles & Co Reviews Strategic Alternatives for Growth
Positive
Sep 3, 2025

On September 3, 2025, Noodles & Company announced a review of strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value, considering options such as refinancing, refranchising, or selling parts of the business. The company has seen a positive 4.5% increase in comparable restaurant sales in August, attributed to initiatives like the Delicious Duos platform, and aims to strengthen its market position while exploring strategic options.

The most recent analyst rating on (NDLS) stock is a Sell with a $0.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Noodles & Co stock, see the NDLS Stock Forecast page.

Noodles & Company Earnings Call: Mixed Results and Cautious Outlook
Sep 1, 2025

The recent earnings call for Noodles & Company presented a mixed bag of outcomes, reflecting both positive strides and significant challenges. On the upside, the company reported growth in same-store sales and improvements in digital engagement. However, these were counterbalanced by a decline in overall revenue, increased operational costs, and a notable net loss. Operational adjustments and the introduction of the Delicious Duos platform have shown potential in enhancing sales trends, yet the financial outlook remains cautious with revised guidance.

Noodles & Company Reports Mixed Q2 2025 Results
Aug 16, 2025

Noodles & Company, a prominent player in the fast-casual dining sector, specializes in offering a diverse menu centered around noodles, catering to a wide range of taste preferences with approximately 450 locations nationwide.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Nov 26, 2025