BROOMFIELD, Colo., April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Noodles & Company (NASDAQ: NDLS) today announced that it will host a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2025 financial results on Wednesday, May 7, 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 first quarter 2025 financial results will be issued after the market close that same day. The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing 2 ...

Core Insights - Noodles & Company is launching a 14-day promotional event called the Taste Tour, starting April 12, 2025, featuring exclusive offers for Noodles Rewards members [1][4] - The promotion includes daily deals on new and classic menu items, with a focus on bold flavors and upgraded dishes [1][4][5] Promotions and Offers - The Taste Tour begins with a $5 offer on Creamy Cheddar Mac & Cheese, followed by various exclusive deals for Noodles Rewards members over the 14 days [4][6] - New members can join the Noodles Rewards program for free to access daily offers, while existing members can opt for SMS notifications for updates [2][6] Membership Benefits - Noodles Rewards members earn points on orders, redeemable for menu items, and enjoy additional perks such as surprise offers and birthday rewards [7] - The program aims to enhance customer loyalty and engagement through exclusive promotions and a refreshed menu experience [3][7] Company Background - Noodles & Company has been serving globally inspired noodle dishes since 1995, with over 460 locations [8] - The company has received multiple accolades for its commitment to diversity, employee satisfaction, and customer loyalty programs [8]

Financial Performance - Comparable restaurant sales experienced a decline in 2023, contributing to an increased loss from operations[55] - Total revenue for the year ended January 2, 2024, was $503.4 million, a decrease of 1.3% from $509.5 million in the previous year[243] - The company reported a net loss of $9.9 million for the year ended January 2, 2024, compared to a net loss of $3.3 million in the previous year[243] - The company’s total stockholders' equity decreased to $27.2 million as of January 2, 2024, down from $38.4 million a year earlier[239] - Noodles & Company reported a net loss of $9.856 million for the fiscal year ending January 2, 2024, compared to a net loss of $3.314 million in the previous year[249] - The company generated $27.495 million in net cash provided by operating activities, a significant increase from $9.557 million in the prior year[249] Operational Challenges - The company anticipates that economic conditions, including higher inflation and elevated interest rates, may reduce customer demand and increase operational costs[56] - The company faces significant competition from various segments of the restaurant industry, which may adversely affect its market position[60] - The company relies on consumer discretionary spending, and negative economic conditions could lead to decreased consumer confidence and spending[57] - The company faces challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified employees, which could impact financial performance and operational efficiency[84] - Labor turnover was high in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and competitive labor market, but turnover levels have improved since mid-2022[84] Cost Management - In 2022, the company implemented a temporary chicken-price surcharge of $1.00 due to inflationary pressures on food costs[58] - Menu price increases in 2022 and Q1 2023 were made in response to rising food and labor costs, which negatively affected guest traffic[70] - The company expects inflationary pressures to continue affecting its results in the near future, particularly in food, labor, and energy costs[232] - The company’s profitability is affected by its ability to manage food and supply costs, which can fluctuate due to various external factors[109] - The company plans to adjust menu pricing to manage commodity cost increases, although multiple price hikes may negatively impact customer behavior[231] Strategic Initiatives - The company’s operational strategies aim to improve restaurant revenue and profitability, but there is a risk of not achieving these goals[51] - The company is enhancing its operating model and researching a new prototype for smaller restaurants focused on off-premise dining opportunities[77] - The company introduced a product recommendation engine and digital menu boards in 2023, leveraging machine learning and customer data for strategic pricing[95] - The company has entered into temporary formula pricing contracts for chicken purchases to mitigate exposure to commodity market fluctuations[110] Franchise Operations - The company relies on effective management of its franchise system, as underperformance by franchisees could adversely affect overall business performance[89] - Franchisees' new unit growth is hindered by high financing costs and inflation, affecting their ability to develop new restaurants[90] - In 2023, the company opened 18 company-owned restaurants and closed 6, while franchisees closed 3 restaurants without opening any new ones, expecting an annual unit growth rate of approximately 1-3% in the coming years[74] - The company anticipates a decrease in new restaurant openings from 18 in 2023 to 10-12 in 2024 due to lower-than-expected returns on investment and increased construction costs[76] Financial Position - The company has 44,989,714 outstanding shares of Class A common stock as of January 2, 2024, with approximately 3,500,591 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units[140] - Long-term debt rose to $80.2 million as of January 2, 2024, compared to $46.1 million in the previous year[239] - The company's credit facility has a variable interest rate that has increased due to amendments made in 2023, resulting in higher borrowing costs[142] - As of January 2, 2024, the Company had $82.2 million of indebtedness and $3.0 million of letters of credit outstanding[305] Marketing and Competition - The company’s marketing efforts may not yield the desired results, especially against competitors with greater marketing resources[63] - Digital orders accounted for over 50% of total revenue throughout 2022 and 2023, with a 37% growth in the catering business from 2022 to 2023[107] - The company’s digital business expansion is uncertain, as changing consumer preferences may affect the sustainability of growth in this area[107] Regulatory and Compliance Risks - Regulatory compliance is critical, as difficulties in obtaining necessary licenses and permits could delay restaurant openings[120] - The company faces risks related to compliance with immigration laws, which could increase operational costs and affect employee availability[125] - The company may incur costs related to compliance with nutritional disclosure laws, which could impact menu offerings and consumer demand[129] - The company has faced challenges in maintaining effective internal controls over financial reporting, which could impact investor confidence[119] Shareholder Actions - The Company announced a share repurchase program of up to $5.0 million, repurchasing 1,731,952 shares at an average price of $2.86 per share during Q3 2023[332] - The 2023 Stock Incentive Plan was adopted, allowing for the grant of approximately 3.4 million share-based awards, with most awards vesting over four years[333]

Noodles & Company (NDLS) reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2024 results, with earnings and revenues missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The top and bottom lines declined on a year-over-year basis.Stay up-to-date with all quarterly releases: See Zacks Earnings Calendar.Noodles & Company reported positive sales and traffic trends in early 2025, buoyed by the introduction of new menu items, promotional initiatives and strengthened third-party delivery momentum. In the first eight weeks of the first quarter of 2 ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q4 2024 decreased by 2% year-over-year to $121.8 million [30] - System-wide comparable restaurant sales increased by 0.8%, with a 0.5% increase at company-owned restaurants and a 1.9% increase at franchise restaurants [30] - Net loss for Q4 was $9.7 million, or a loss of $0.21 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $6.1 million, or a loss of $0.14 per diluted share in the previous year [33] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Company comparable traffic decreased by 0.1%, while average check increased by 0.6% with effective pricing of 1.3% during the quarter [30] - Restaurant-level contribution margin was 11.2%, down from 14.7% in Q4 2023 [33] - G&A expenses for Q4 were $11.3 million, down from $13.9 million in 2023, primarily due to lower severance and executive transition costs [33] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a significant improvement in guest satisfaction, achieving the largest single-month increase in January, reducing the gap to the fast-casual industry average by nearly 80% over the past twelve months [11] - The company reported double-digit traffic growth in the third-party delivery channel, driven by a revised pricing and promotion strategy [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on operational excellence, menu transformation, and enhancing guest experience as part of its five strategic priorities [9][10] - A significant menu transformation is planned, with nearly two-thirds of the menu being new or reimagined, representing the largest culinary change in the company's history [16] - The new brand strategy, "We Know Noodles," aims to enhance brand relevance and customer engagement through a comprehensive marketing plan [24][27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the sales trends, noting that the improvements seen in Q4 2024 have accelerated into Q1 2025, with comp sales growth over 3% [9][36] - The company anticipates total revenue for 2025 to be between $503 million and $512 million, with mid-single-digit comp restaurant sales growth expected [37] Other Important Information - The company closed six company-owned restaurants in Q4 and plans to close 12 to 15 company-owned and four franchise restaurants in 2025 [34][38] - Joe Cristina was announced as the new President and Chief Operating Officer, succeeding Brad West [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: Areas of improvement in guest satisfaction scores - Management noted significant improvements in overall satisfaction, taste of food, and accuracy, which are directly related to driving traffic growth [45][46] Question: Same-store sales expectations for the current quarter - Management indicated that the first quarter is tracking over 3%, with expectations for mid-single-digit growth primarily in Q3 and Q4 due to tougher comps in Q2 [47][49] Question: Impact of weather on sales trends - Management clarified that the 3% growth is sustainable and not solely impacted by weather, with non-weather weeks reflecting similar performance [55] Question: Margin impact from menu rollout - Management confirmed a 100 basis point investment in food costs related to the menu rollout, with expectations of achieving flat to growing margins year-over-year despite this investment [61][63]

Core Insights - Noodles & Co. reported revenue of $121.77 million for the quarter ended December 2024, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 2.1% and an EPS of -$0.15, compared to -$0.07 a year ago [1] - The revenue fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $123.34 million by 1.27%, and the EPS was also below the consensus estimate of -$0.13 by 15.38% [1] Financial Performance Metrics - Company-owned comparable restaurant sales were reported at 0.5%, matching the average estimate from two analysts [4] - Total restaurants system-wide at the end of the period stood at 463, slightly below the average estimate of 464 [4] - System-wide comparable restaurant sales were 0.8%, aligning with the average estimate of 0.8% [4] - Franchise comparable restaurant sales were reported at 1.9%, consistent with the average estimate from two analysts [4] - Revenue from franchising royalties and fees was $2.57 million, below the average estimate of $2.72 million, but showed a year-over-year increase of 2.9% [4] - Restaurant revenue was $119.20 million, falling short of the average estimate of $120.63 million, representing a year-over-year decline of 2.2% [4] Stock Performance - Noodles & Co. shares have returned -16.8% over the past month, compared to a -3.5% change in the Zacks S&P 500 composite [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), suggesting potential for outperformance in the near term [3]

Financial Performance - Noodles & Co. reported a quarterly loss of $0.15 per share, which was worse than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.13, and compared to a loss of $0.07 per share a year ago, indicating a decline in performance [1] - The company posted revenues of $121.77 million for the quarter ended December 2024, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.27%, and down from $124.32 million year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Noodles & Co. has surpassed consensus EPS estimates only two times and has not beaten consensus revenue estimates [2] Stock Performance - Noodles & Co. shares have increased approximately 131.5% since the beginning of the year, contrasting with a decline of -0.7% in the S&P 500 [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is -$0.08 on revenues of $120.81 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is -$0.28 on revenues of $498.24 million [7] Earnings Outlook - The estimate revisions trend for Noodles & Co. is currently favorable, leading to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) for the stock, suggesting it is expected to outperform the market in the near future [6] - The sustainability of the stock's price movement will depend on management's commentary during the earnings call [3][4] Industry Context - The Retail - Restaurants industry, to which Noodles & Co. belongs, is currently ranked in the top 27% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable outlook compared to lower-ranked industries [8] - Another company in the same industry, Dave & Buster's, is expected to report a quarterly earnings decline of -32% year-over-year, with revenues projected to decrease by 8.2% [9]

Financial Results - Noodles & Company reported sales results for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2024[5] - The press release detailing the financial results was issued on January 13, 2025[5] - The financial statements and exhibits related to the report are included in Exhibit 99.1[7] Company Information - The company is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol NDLS[3] - The registrant is not classified as an emerging growth company[4] - The report was signed by Chief Financial Officer Mike Hynes on January 13, 2025[10]

Core Insights - Noodles & Company reported financial results for Q4 and fiscal year 2024, showing a net loss and a decrease in total revenue compared to the previous year [1][7][6] - The company anticipates total revenue for fiscal year 2025 to be between $503 million and $512 million, with expectations of mid-single digit comparable restaurant sales growth [6][4] Financial Performance - Q4 2024 total revenue decreased by 2.0% to $121.8 million from $124.3 million in Q4 2023 [7] - Comparable restaurant sales increased by 0.8% system-wide, with a 0.5% increase for company-owned restaurants and a 1.9% increase for franchise restaurants [7] - The net loss for Q4 2024 was $9.7 million, or $0.21 loss per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $6.1 million, or $0.14 loss per diluted share in Q4 2023 [7] - For the fiscal year 2024, total revenue decreased by 2.0% to $493.3 million from $503.4 million in fiscal year 2023 [7] - The net loss for the fiscal year 2024 was $36.2 million, or $0.80 loss per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $9.9 million, or $0.21 loss per diluted share in fiscal year 2023 [7] Operational Highlights - The company closed six company-owned restaurants in Q4 2024, while one franchise restaurant opened and three franchise restaurants closed [7] - The company had 463 restaurants at the end of 2024, comprised of 371 company-owned and 92 franchise restaurants [7] - The CEO noted that sales improvements observed in Q4 2024 have continued into Q1 2025, with positive traffic and comparable restaurant sales growth over 3% [4] Strategic Initiatives - Noodles & Company plans to launch a significant menu transformation with the addition of nine new dishes and increased marketing investment [4] - The company is focused on five strategic priorities aimed at reigniting profitable growth [4] Liquidity Position - As of December 31, 2024, the company had available cash and cash equivalents of $1.1 million and outstanding debt of $103.0 million [5] - The company had $19.0 million available for future borrowings under its revolving credit facility [5]

Core Viewpoint - Noodles & Company (NDLS) is expected to report a loss in the fourth quarter of 2024, with revenues anticipated to decline year over year due to a challenging consumer environment and increased competition [3][4]. Financial Performance Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NDLS's fourth-quarter loss per share is 13 cents, compared to a loss of 7 cents in the same quarter last year [3]. - Revenue expectations for the fourth quarter are set at $123.3 million, reflecting a slight decline of 0.8% from the previous year's figure [3]. - Restaurant revenues are projected at $121 million, down from $122 million reported in the prior-year quarter [5]. Factors Influencing Performance - The decline in revenues is attributed to industry-wide volatility and a weak consumer environment, leading to intense competition and higher discounting [4]. - A deceleration in comparable restaurant sales is expected due to reduced winter and holiday traffic [5]. - Despite these challenges, initiatives such as operational improvements, menu innovation, and strategic investments in loyalty programs and digital media are likely to support performance [6]. Additional Revenue Insights - Franchising royalties and fee revenues are estimated at $2.7 million, an increase from $2.5 million in the prior-year quarter [7]. - Inflationary pressures, including rising costs for food, labor, energy, and construction materials, are anticipated to negatively impact the bottom line [7]. Earnings Prediction Model - The earnings prediction model indicates that NDLS is not expected to achieve an earnings beat this quarter, with an Earnings ESP of 0.00% [8]. - NDLS holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting a relatively favorable outlook compared to other stocks [9].