Noodles & Company (NDLS) 10-Q 30 Apr 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2014	Apr. 25, 2014	Apr. 25, 2014
		Common Class A [Member]	Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'NOODLES & Co	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001275158	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Non-accelerated Filer	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'
Document Period End Date	1-Apr-14	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	28,167,472	1,522,098

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Apr. 01, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$668	$968
Accounts receivable	3,985	4,832
Inventories	7,623	7,223
Prepaid expenses and other assets	5,548	5,310
Total current assets	17,824	18,333
Property and equipment, net	172,316	167,614
Other assets, net	2,171	1,855
Total long-term assets	174,487	169,469
Total assets	192,311	187,802
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	8,588	8,167
Accrued payroll and benefits	7,449	7,121
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	8,477	8,877
Total current liabilities	24,514	24,165
Long-term debt	6,600	6,312
Deferred rent	30,242	28,846
Other long-term liabilities	4,235	4,006
Total liabilities	65,591	63,329
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stockb$0.01 par value, authorized 1,000,000 shares as of April 1, 2014 and December 31, 2013; no shares issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stockb$0.01 par value, authorized 180,000,000 and shares as of April 1, 2014 and December 31, 2013; 29,684,698 and 29,544,557 issued and outstanding as of April 1, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	297	295
Treasury stock, at cost, 67,586 and 65,478 shares as of April 1, 2014 and December 31, 2013	-2,848	-2,777
Additional paid-in capital	117,539	116,647
Retained earnings	11,732	10,308
Total stockholders' equity	126,720	124,473
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$192,311	$187,802

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Apr. 01, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Preferred stock, par value (USD per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (USD per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	180,000,000	180,000,000
Common stock, shares, issued	29,684,698	29,544,557
Common stock, shares, outstanding	29,684,698	29,544,557
Treasury stock, shares	67,586	65,478

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 01, 2014	Apr. 02, 2013
Revenue:	'	'
Restaurant revenue	$88,448	$80,518
Franchising royalties and fees	1,071	762
Total revenue	89,519	81,280
Restaurant operating costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below):	'	'
Cost of sales	23,848	21,301
Labor	27,198	24,830
Occupancy	9,865	8,359
Other restaurant operating costs	12,206	11,080
General and administrative	7,009	7,215
Depreciation and amortization	5,610	4,801
Pre-opening	1,113	921
Asset disposals, closure costs and restaurant impairments	214	201
Total costs and expenses	87,063	78,708
Income from operations	2,456	2,572
Interest expense	20	1,053
Income before income taxes	2,436	1,519
Provision for income taxes	1,012	595
Net income	$1,424	$924
Earnings per share of Class A and Class B common stock, combined:	'	'
Basic (USD per share)	$0.05	$0.04
Diluted (USD per share)	$0.05	$0.04
Weighted average shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding, combined:	'	'
Basic (in shares)	29,606,321	23,238,984
Diluted (in shares)	31,059,324	23,672,300

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Statement (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 01, 2014	Apr. 02, 2013
Net income	$1,424	$924
Cash flow hedges:	'	'
Reclassification of loss to net income	0	39
Unrealized income on cash flow hedges	0	39
Provision for income tax on cash flow hedges	0	-15
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	0	24
Comprehensive income	$1,424	$948

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 01, 2014	Apr. 02, 2013
Operating activities	'	'
Net income	$1,424	$924
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	5,610	4,801
Provision for deferred income taxes	0	366
Asset disposals, closure costs and restaurant impairments	214	201
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt extinguishment expense	25	56
Stock-based compensation	140	363
Other noncash	0	-64
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	244	100
Inventories	-400	-383
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-573	-770
Accounts payable	1,441	-133
Deferred rent	1,396	1,121
Income taxes	930	239
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	-194	1,140
Net cash provided by operating activities	10,257	7,961
Investing activities	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-11,510	-13,342
Net cash used in investing activities	-11,510	-13,342
Financing activities	'	'
Proceeds from issuances of long-term debt	41,909	37,703
Payments on long-term debt	-41,621	-31,925
Acquisition of treasury stock	-71	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	736	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	953	5,778
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	-300	397
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Beginning of period	968	581
End of period	$668	$978

Business_and_Summary_and_Basis

Business and Summary and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Business and Summary and Basis of Presentation	'
	Business and Summary and Basis of Presentation
	Business
	Noodles & Company, (the "Company" or "Noodles & Company"), a Delaware corporation, develops and operates fast casual restaurants that serve globally inspired noodle and pasta dishes, soups, salads and sandwiches. As of April 1, 2014, there were 331 company-owned restaurants and 63 franchise restaurants in 30 states and the District of Columbia. The Company operates its business as one operating and reportable segment.
	On July 2, 2013, the Company completed an initial public offering ("IPO") of shares of Class A common stock at $18.00 per share. The Company issued 6,160,714 shares of Class A common stock, $0.01 par value, including 803,571 shares sold to the underwriters in the IPO pursuant to their over-allotment option. After underwriter discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, the Company received net proceeds from the offering of approximately $100.2 million. These proceeds were used to repay all but $0.2 million of outstanding debt under the Company's credit facility.
	On December 5, 2013, the Company completed a follow-on offering of 4,500,000 shares of Class A common stock at a price of $39.50 per share. All of the shares in the offering were offered by selling stockholders, except for 108,267 shares offered by the Company, the proceeds of which were used to repurchase the same number of shares from certain officers at the same net price per share at which shares were sold in the follow-on offering. The Company did not receive any net proceeds from the offering of shares by the selling shareholders. The selling stockholders paid all of the underwriting discounts and commissions associated with the sale of the shares; however, the Company incurred approximately $696,000 in costs and expenses related to this offering.
	The accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") for complete financial statements. In the opinion of the Company, all adjustments considered necessary for the fair presentation of the Company's results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented have been included and are of a normal, recurring nature. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the related notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Noodles & Company and its subsidiaries. All material intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications were made to prior year amounts to conform to the first quarter 2014 presentation.
	Fiscal Year
	The Company operates on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the Tuesday closest to December 31. Fiscal year 2014, which ends on December 30, 2014 and fiscal year 2013, which ended on December 31, 2013, each contain 52 weeks. Fiscal quarters each contain thirteen weeks, with the exception of the fourth quarter of a 53 week fiscal year, which contains fourteen weeks.

Supplemental_Financial_Informa

Supplemental Financial Information	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2014
Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Financial Information	'
	Supplemental Financial Information
	Property and equipment, net, consist of the following (in thousands):
		April 1,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Leasehold improvements	$	178,246		$	169,953
	Furniture, fixtures, and equipment	96,450			92,695
	Construction in progress	8,982			11,209
		283,678			273,857
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(111,362		)	(106,243		)
		$	172,316		$	167,614

Borrowings

Borrowings	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Borrowings	'
	Borrowings
	The Company has a credit facility with a borrowing capacity of $45.0 million in the form of a revolving line of credit, expiring in November 2018. Prior to the IPO, the Company had a credit facility with a borrowing capacity of $120.0 million, consisting of a $75.0 million senior term loan and a $45.0 million revolving line of credit. In connection with the IPO, the Company repaid its outstanding $75.0 million senior term loan and the majority of the revolving line of credit. Assuming continued compliance with covenants, the Company has the ability to borrow under the revolving line of credit; however, the amounts repaid on the senior term loan cannot be re-borrowed. As of April 1, 2014, the Company had $6.6 million outstanding and $35.6 million available for borrowing under the credit facility. Outstanding letters of credit aggregating $2.8 million reduce the amount of borrowings available under the agreement. The credit facility bore interest at rate a of 3.25% for the first quarter of 2014. The Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants as of April 1, 2014.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and all other current liabilities approximate fair values due to the short maturities of these instruments. The carrying amounts of borrowings approximate fair value as interest rates on the the line of credit borrowings vary with market interest rates and negotiated terms and conditions are consistent with current market rates. The fair value of our line of credit borrowings is measured using Level 2 inputs.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The following table presents the Company's provision for income taxes for the first quarter ended April 1, 2014 and April 2, 2013 (dollars in thousands):
		April 1,			April 2,
		2014			2013
	Provision for income taxes	$	1,012		$	595
	Effective tax rate	41.5		%	39.2		%
	The 2014 estimated annual effective tax rate is expected to be 41.5% compared to 41.7% for 2013. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2014 includes the change to a 35% federal income tax rate compared to 34% in 2013.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company's Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated in May of 2013, authorizes the grant of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and incentive bonuses to employees, officers, non-employee directors and other service providers. The number of shares of common stock available for issuance pursuant to awards granted under the Stock Incentive Plan on or after the closing of the IPO shall not exceed 3,750,500.
	The following table presents information related to the Stock Incentive Plan (in thousands, except for share and per share amounts):
		Fiscal Quarter Ended
		April 1, 2014		April 2, 2013
	Outstanding, beginning of period	3,309,872		2,973,168
	Granted	—		—
	Exercised	142,249		—
	Canceled	9,709		27,782
	Outstanding, end of period	3,157,914		2,945,386
	Weighted average fair market value on option grant date	N/A		N/A
	Stock based compensation expense	$	140	$	363
	Capitalized stock based compensation expense	$	18	$	26
	Stock-based compensation expense includes $21,000 related to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan in the first quarter of 2014. No stock based compensation expense was recognized in the first quarter of 2013 related to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Stock-based compensation expense is included in general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of income.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Share
	EPS is calculated by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share ("diluted EPS") is calculated using income available to common shareholders divided by diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding during each period. Potentially dilutive securities include shares of common stock underlying stock options and warrants. The following table sets forth the computations of basic and dilutive earnings per share:
		Fiscal Quarter Ended
		April 1,		April 2,
		2014		2013
	Net income (in thousands):	$	1,424	$	924
	Shares:
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding	29,606,321		23,238,984
	Dilutive stock options and warrants	1,453,003		433,316
	Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding	31,059,324		23,672,300
	Earnings per share:
	Basic EPS	$	0.05	$	0.04
	Diluted EPS	$	0.05	$	0.04
	In the first quarters of 2014 and 2013, there were 17,000 and 313,138 outstanding options, respectively, excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation because their inclusion would be antidilutive. All outstanding warrants are dilutive and were included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefit Plans	'
	Employee Benefit Plans
	Deferred Compensation Plan
	The Company’s deferred compensation plan, under which compensation deferrals began during the third quarter of 2013, is a non-qualified deferred compensation plan which allows highly compensated employees to defer a portion of their base salary and variable compensation each plan year. To offset its obligation, the Company purchases Company-owned whole-life insurance contracts on certain team members. As of April 1, 2014, $896,000 and $924,000 were included in other assets, net and other long-term liabilities, respectively, which represent the carrying value of the liability for the deferred compensation plan and the cash surrender value of the associated life insurance policy.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	During the third quarter of 2013, the Company commenced sales of common stock under it's Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") and has reserved 750,100 shares of common stock for issuance. Eligible employees may purchase common stock at 85% of the beginning or ending closing price, whichever is lower, for each quarterly purchase period. During the first quarter of 2014, the Company issued no shares of common stock under the ESPP. As of April 1, 2014, the Company has 731,644 shares available for future issuance under the ESPP.

Supplemental_Disclosures_to_Co

Supplemental Disclosures to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Disclosures to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	'
	Supplemental Disclosures to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
	The following table presents the supplemental disclosures to the consolidated statements of cash flows for the first quarter ended April 1, 2014 and April 2, 2013 (in thousands):
		April 1,		April 2,
		2014		2013
	Interest paid	$	73	$	1,262
	Income taxes paid	81		27
	Purchases of property and equipment accrued in accounts payable, net	1,020		(419		)

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company is named as a defendant in an action filed in the Superior Court of Delaware in New Castle County, entitled The State of Delaware, William French v. Card Compliant, LLC, et. al. The case was filed under seal in June 2013 and was unsealed on March 26, 2014. The complaint in this case alleges that the Company and the other defendants in the case, including a number of large retailers and restaurant companies, knowingly refused to fulfill obligations under Delaware's Abandoned Property Law by failing to report and deliver "unclaimed gift card funds" to the State of Delaware, and knowingly made, used or caused to be made or used, false statements and records to conceal, avoid or decrease an obligation to pay or transmit money to Delaware in violation of the Delaware False Claims and Reporting Act. The complaint seeks an order that the Company cease and desist from violating the Delaware False Claims and Reporting Act, monetary damages (including treble damages under the False Claims and Reporting Act), penalties, and attorneys' fees and costs. The case is at an early stage and the Company therefore is unable to make a reasonable estimate of the probable loss or range of losses, if any, that might arise from this matter. The Company intends to vigorously defend this action.
	In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to other proceedings, lawsuits and claims. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties, and outcomes are not predictable with assurance. Consequently, the Company is unable to ascertain the ultimate aggregate amount of monetary liability or financial impact with respect to these matters as of April 1, 2014. These matters could affect the operating results of any one financial reporting period when resolved in future periods. Management believes that an unfavorable outcome with respect to these matters is remote or a potential range of loss is not material to the Company's consolidated financial statements. Significant increases in the number of these claims, or one or more successful claims that result in greater liabilities than the Company currently anticipates, could materially and adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
	The Company entered into employment agreements with two of its executives in connection with the IPO superseding the previous employment agreements with these executives. The agreements have an initial term of three years and automatically renew annually unless canceled by either party within 90 days of the end of the initial term or anniversaries thereof. Under each of the Employment Agreements, if the executive's employment is terminated by the Company without "cause" or by the executive with "good reason," (as such terms are defined in the applicable employment agreement) the executive is entitled to receive compensation equal to 18 months of the executive's then-current base salary, payable in equal installments over 18 months, a pro rata bonus for the year of termination and reimbursement of "COBRA" premiums for up to 18 months for the executive and his dependents. The severance payments are conditioned upon the executive entering into a mutual release of claims with the Company.

RelatedParty_Transactions

Related-Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related-Party Transactions	'
	Related-Party Transactions
	In the first quarter of 2013, the Company paid $125,000 to Catterton Partners and Argentia Private Investments Inc. or their affiliates ("Equity Sponsors") for management service fees and Class C Dividends pursuant to a management services agreement and an agreement to pay dividends on its Class C common stock. In connection with the IPO, the management services agreement expired and the one share of Class C common stock was redeemed therefore no payments were made during 2014. Management service fees and Class C dividends paid in prior fiscal quarters varied due to the timing of payments.

Business_and_Summary_and_Basis1

Business and Summary and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Noodles & Company and its subsidiaries. All material intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications were made to prior year amounts to conform to the first quarter 2014 presentation.
Fiscal Year	'
	Fiscal Year
	The Company operates on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the Tuesday closest to December 31. Fiscal year 2014, which ends on December 30, 2014 and fiscal year 2013, which ended on December 31, 2013, each contain 52 weeks. Fiscal quarters each contain thirteen weeks, with the exception of the fourth quarter of a 53 week fiscal year, which contains fourteen weeks.

Supplemental_Financial_Informa1

Supplemental Financial Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2014
Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Property and Equipment	'
	Property and equipment, net, consist of the following (in thousands):
		April 1,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Leasehold improvements	$	178,246		$	169,953
	Furniture, fixtures, and equipment	96,450			92,695
	Construction in progress	8,982			11,209
		283,678			273,857
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(111,362		)	(106,243		)
		$	172,316		$	167,614

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Provision for Income Taxes	'
	The following table presents the Company's provision for income taxes for the first quarter ended April 1, 2014 and April 2, 2013 (dollars in thousands):
		April 1,			April 2,
		2014			2013
	Provision for income taxes	$	1,012		$	595
	Effective tax rate	41.5		%	39.2		%

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity	'
	The following table presents information related to the Stock Incentive Plan (in thousands, except for share and per share amounts):
		Fiscal Quarter Ended
		April 1, 2014		April 2, 2013
	Outstanding, beginning of period	3,309,872		2,973,168
	Granted	—		—
	Exercised	142,249		—
	Canceled	9,709		27,782
	Outstanding, end of period	3,157,914		2,945,386
	Weighted average fair market value on option grant date	N/A		N/A
	Stock based compensation expense	$	140	$	363
	Capitalized stock based compensation expense	$	18	$	26
	Stock-based compensation expense includes $21,000 related to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan in the first quarter of 2014. No stock based compensation expense was recognized in the first quarter of 2013 related to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Stock-based compensation expense is included in general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of income.

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share	'
	The following table sets forth the computations of basic and dilutive earnings per share:
		Fiscal Quarter Ended
		April 1,		April 2,
		2014		2013
	Net income (in thousands):	$	1,424	$	924
	Shares:
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding	29,606,321		23,238,984
	Dilutive stock options and warrants	1,453,003		433,316
	Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding	31,059,324		23,672,300
	Earnings per share:
	Basic EPS	$	0.05	$	0.04
	Diluted EPS	$	0.05	$	0.04

Supplemental_Disclosures_to_Co1

Supplemental Disclosures to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures	'
	The following table presents the supplemental disclosures to the consolidated statements of cash flows for the first quarter ended April 1, 2014 and April 2, 2013 (in thousands):
		April 1,		April 2,
		2014		2013
	Interest paid	$	73	$	1,262
	Income taxes paid	81		27
	Purchases of property and equipment accrued in accounts payable, net	1,020		(419		)

Business_and_Summary_and_Basis2

Business and Summary and Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Apr. 01, 2014	Apr. 01, 2014	Apr. 01, 2014	Dec. 05, 2013	Apr. 01, 2014	Dec. 05, 2013
	segment		Company-Owned [Member]	Franchise [Member]	IPO [Member]	IPO Follow On [Member]	Common Class A [Member]	Common Class A [Member]
	state		restaurant	restaurant			IPO [Member]	IPO Follow On [Member]
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of restaurants	'	'	331	63	'	'	'	'
Number of states in which Noodles & Company operates	30	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of operating segments	1	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments	1	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share price (USD per share)	'	'	'	'	'	'	$18	$39.50
Shares issued	'	'	'	'	'	108,267	6,160,714	4,500,000
Common stock, par value (USD per share)	$0.01	$0.01	'	'	'	'	$0.01	'
Shares sold to underwriters	'	'	'	'	803,571	'	'	'
Proceeds from IPO	'	'	'	'	$100,200,000	'	'	'
Repayment of debt	200,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Payments for repurchase of IPO	'	'	'	'	'	$696,000	'	'
Number of weeks in fiscal year	'364 days	'364 days	'	'	'	'	'	'

Supplemental_Financial_Informa2

Supplemental Financial Information (Property and Equipment) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 01, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$283,678	$273,857
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-111,362	-106,243
Property and equipment, net	172,316	167,614
Leasehold Improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	178,246	169,953
Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	96,450	92,695
Construction in Progress [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$8,982	$11,209

Borrowings_Details

Borrowings (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2014
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	$120,000,000
Amount outstanding	6,600,000
Remaining borrowing capacity	35,600,000
Letters of credit outstanding	2,800,000
Interest rate	3.25%
Revolving Line of Credit [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	45,000,000
Senior Term Loan [Member] | IPO [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	$75,000,000

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 01, 2014	Apr. 02, 2013	Jan. 01, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Provision for income taxes	$1,012	$595	'
Effective tax rate	41.50%	39.20%	41.70%
Estimated effective tax rate	41.50%	'	'
Income tax rate	35.00%	34.00%	'

StockBased_Compensation_Narrat

Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (IPO [Member])	31-May-13
IPO [Member]	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'
Maximum shares reserved for issuance	3,750,500

StockBased_Compensation_Stock_

Stock-Based Compensation (Stock Incentive Plan) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 01, 2014	Apr. 02, 2013
Stock Option [Member]	'	'
Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'
Outstanding, beginning of period	3,309,872	2,973,168
Granted	0	0
Exercised	142,249	0
Canceled	9,709	27,782
Outstanding, end of period	3,157,914	2,945,386
Stock based compensation expense	$140	$363
Capitalized stock based compensation expense	18	26
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] | Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]	'	'
Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'
Stock based compensation expense	$21	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 01, 2014	Apr. 02, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'
Net income	$1,424	$924
Shares:	'	'
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	29,606,321	23,238,984
Dilutive stock options and warrants (in shares)	1,453,003	433,316
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	31,059,324	23,672,300
Earnings per share:	'	'
Basic EPS (USD per share)	$0.05	$0.04
Diluted EPS (USD per share)	$0.05	$0.04
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	17,000	313,138

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2014	Oct. 01, 2013
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]	'	'
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]	'	'
Purchase date percentage	'	85.00%
Maximum shares reserved for issuance	'	750,100
Shares issued	0	'
Reserved for future issuance	731,644	'
Other Assets [Member]	'	'
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]	'	'
Deferred compensation plan	896,000	'
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]	'	'
Deferred compensation plan	924,000	'

Supplemental_Disclosures_to_Co2

Supplemental Disclosures to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 01, 2014	Apr. 02, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'	'
Interest paid	$73	$1,262
Income taxes paid	81	27
Purchases of property and equipment accrued in accounts payable, net	$1,020	($419)

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (Executives [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2014
	officer
Executives [Member]	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Employment agreement, number of executives	2
Employment agreement, initial term	'3 years
Employment agreement, severance pay, number of equivalent months	'18 months
Employment agreement, period for equal installments	'18 months
Employment agreement, cancelation notice period	'90 days
Employment agreement, termination and reimbursement notice period	'18 months

RelatedParty_Transactions_Deta

Related-Party Transactions (Details) (Dividend Paid [Member], Class C Common Stock [Member], Equity Sponsors [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 02, 2013
Dividend Paid [Member] | Class C Common Stock [Member] | Equity Sponsors [Member]	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'
Amount paid to related party	$125