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]

Core Viewpoint - Noodles & Company will host a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results on March 6, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. ET [1] Group 1: Conference Call Details - The conference call can be accessed live by dialing 201-389-0920, with a replay available until March 20, 2025, by dialing 412-317-6671 using passcode 13750888 [2] - The conference call will also be webcast live on the company's corporate website, with an archive available shortly after the call [3] Group 2: Company Overview - Noodles & Company has been serving a variety of noodle dishes since 1995, with over 460 restaurants and 7,000 team members dedicated to customer satisfaction [4]

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]