Noodles & Co. posts Q1 SSS +9.1% as 60 closures and ops reset drive 460bps margin lift
Sixteen straight months of positive comps, traffic +4.8%, and restaurant margins jumping to 14.9% from 10.3%. New guests +36%, loyalty signups +33% on Boost Week $12 and Delicious Duos $9.95. FY SSS guided 7-10%, revenue $483M-$498M; board weighing sale, refranchising or refi as stock pops 6% to $12.
Noodles & Company posted Q1 same-store sales up 9.1% after closing ~60 underperforming units, with margins expanding 460bps. CEO credits operations, marketing discipline and menu revamp; raised FY guidance and weighing sale, refranchising or debt refinancing.
Why this matters
Turnaround at Noodles & Company is taking hold after closures and menu resets, with margin recovery from 10.3% to 14.9% and a board now openly evaluating strategic alternatives including a sale.
Retail-company signals steady at 215 in 90d, with Noodles & Co. now a standout turnaround case.