Noodles & Company (NDLS) 10-Q 7 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013	Nov. 07, 2013	Nov. 07, 2013
		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-Oct-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	23,182,184	6,292,640

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Oct. 01, 2013	Jan. 01, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$589	$581
Accounts receivable	5,842	4,566
Inventories	7,082	6,042
Prepaid expenses and other assets	4,999	3,970
Income tax receivable	0	995
Total current assets	18,512	16,154
Property and equipment, net	158,413	136,287
Deferred tax assets, net	2,753	2,791
Other assets, net	2,132	1,763
Total long-term assets	163,298	140,841
Total assets	181,810	156,995
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	8,817	9,393
Accrued payroll and benefits	8,871	5,345
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	7,614	7,249
Income tax payable	909	0
Current deferred tax liabilities	1,351	1,023
Current portion of long-term debt	0	750
Total current liabilities	27,562	23,760
Long-term debt	1,714	93,731
Deferred rent	27,596	23,013
Other long-term liabilities	2,426	2,483
Total liabilities	59,298	142,987
Temporary equity:	'	'
Common stock subject to put optionsb0 and 296,828 shares as of October 1, 2013 and January 1, 2013, respectively	0	3,601
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stockb$0.01 par value, authorized 1,000,000 and 2,885,000 shares as of October 1, 2013 and January 1, 2013, respectively; no shares issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stockb$0.01 par value, authorized 180,000,000 and 34,043,001 shares as of October 1, 2013 and January 1, 2013, respectively; 29,422,939 and 23,238,984 issued and outstanding as of October 1, 2013 and January 1, 2013, respectively	294	232
Additional paid-in capital	114,318	7,585
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	0	-24
Retained earnings	7,900	2,614
Total stockholders' equity	122,512	10,407
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$181,810	$156,995

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Oct. 01, 2013	Jan. 01, 2013
Common stock subject to put options	0	296,828
Preferred stock, par value (USD per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	2,885,000
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	34,043,001
Common stock, shares, issued	29,399,650	23,238,984
Common stock, shares, outstanding	29,399,650	23,238,984

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012
Revenue:	'	'	'	'
Restaurant revenue	$87,864	$76,306	$256,744	$220,261
Franchising royalties and fees	1,072	793	2,711	2,220
Total revenue	88,936	77,099	259,455	222,481
Restaurant operating costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below):	'	'	'	'
Cost of sales	23,127	20,246	67,524	58,423
Labor	26,345	23,065	77,464	66,002
Occupancy	8,870	7,468	25,824	21,669
Other restaurant operating costs	11,315	9,488	32,962	27,449
General and administrative	6,939	7,464	27,808	21,426
Depreciation and amortization	5,238	4,334	15,074	12,165
Pre-opening	1,183	829	2,873	2,000
Asset disposals, closure costs and restaurant impairments	339	201	837	663
Total costs and expenses	83,356	73,095	250,366	209,797
Income from operations	5,580	4,004	9,089	12,684
Debt extinguishment expense	0	2,646	0	2,646
Interest expense	132	1,118	2,199	3,894
Income before income taxes	5,448	240	6,890	6,144
Provision for income taxes	2,183	107	2,633	2,540
Net income	$3,265	$133	$4,257	$3,604
Earnings per share of Class A and Class B common stock, combined:	'	'	'	'
Basic (USD per share)	$0.11	$0.01	$0.17	$0.16
Diluted (USD per share)	$0.11	$0.01	$0.16	$0.16
Weighted average shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding, combined:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	29,399,650	23,238,984	25,382,805	23,238,984
Diluted (in shares)	31,063,213	23,388,729	26,528,004	23,250,745

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Statement (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012
Net income	$3,265	$133	$4,257	$3,604
Cash flow hedges:	'	'	'	'
Loss recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income	0	0	0	-186
Reclassification of loss to net income	0	104	39	312
Unrealized income on cash flow hedges	0	104	39	126
Provision for income tax on cash flow hedges	0	-42	-15	-104
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	0	62	24	22
Comprehensive income	$3,265	$195	$4,281	$3,626

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012
Operating activities	'	'
Net income	$4,257	$3,604
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	15,074	12,165
Provision for deferred income taxes	366	4
Asset disposals, closure costs and restaurant impairments	837	663
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt extinguishment expense	82	3,170
Stock-based compensation	4,065	921
Other noncash	-205	-209
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-1,276	536
Inventories	-1,040	-1,025
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-1,050	-575
Accounts payable	787	-805
Deferred rent	4,583	2,534
Income taxes	1,904	1,016
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	4,078	3,378
Net cash provided by operating activities	32,462	25,377
Investing activities	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-39,788	-30,525
Net cash used in investing activities	-39,788	-30,525
Financing activities	'	'
Proceeds from issuances of notes payable	101,731	60,128
Payments on notes payable	-194,498	-54,094
Debt issuance costs	0	-752
Issuance of common stock, net of transaction expenses	100,101	-48
Net cash provided by financing activities	7,334	5,234
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	8	86
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Beginning of year	581	523
End of year	$589	'

Business_and_Summary_and_Basis

Business and Summary and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013
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, a Delaware corporation (the "Company" or "Noodles & Company"), develops and operates fast casual restaurants that serve globally inspired noodle dishes and pasta dishes, soups, salads and sandwiches. As of October 1, 2013, there were 310 company-owned restaurants and 58 franchise restaurants in 29 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.
	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 for the year ended January 1, 2013 included in the Company's final prospectus filed June 28, 2013.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Noodles & Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
	Fiscal Year
	The Company operates on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the Tuesday closest to December 31. Fiscal year 2013, which ends on December 31, 2013 and fiscal year 2012, which ended on January 1, 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.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2013-02, "Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income," which revises disclosure requirements related to components of other comprehensive income. The Company adopted ASU 2013-02 effective January 2, 2013. The adoption concerns presentation and disclosure only and did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
	Reclassifications
	In the third quarter of 2013, the Company changed the manner in which it reports marketing expenses between general and administrative expenses and other restaurant operating costs to more appropriately reflect only those costs directly related to restaurant-level marketing in other restaurant operating costs.  Marketing costs previously reported as restaurant operating costs, that were not directly related to restaurant-level marketing, have been reclassified to general and administrative expense in the Company's consolidated financial statements in all periods presented. In the first two quarters of 2013 and the first two quarters of 2012, $1.0 million and $1.3 million, respectively, have been reclassified from restaurant operating costs to general and administrative expense. The change has no impact on income from operations.

Supplemental_Financial_Informa

Supplemental Financial Information	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013
Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Financial Information	'
	Supplemental Financial Information
	Prepaid expenses and other assets consist of the following (in thousands):
		October 1,			January 1,
		2013			2013
	Prepaid occupancy related costs	$	3,029		$	2,700
	Other prepaid expenses	1,912			1,191
	Other current assets	58			79
		$	4,999		$	3,970
	Property and equipment, net, consist of the following (in thousands):
		October 1,			January 1,
		2013			2013
	Leasehold improvements	$	164,498		$	139,907
	Furniture, fixtures, and equipment	89,270			77,202
	Construction in progress	5,865			7,878
		259,633			224,987
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(101,220		)	(88,700		)
		$	158,413		$	136,287
	Accrued payroll and benefits consist of the following (in thousands):
		October 1,			January 1,
		2013			2013
	Accrued payroll and related liabilities	$	5,196		$	2,537
	Accrued bonus	2,303			1,981
	Insurance liabilities	1,372			827
		$	8,871		$	5,345
	Accrued expense and other liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
		October 1,			January 1,
		2013			2013
	Gift card liability	$	1,633		$	2,182
	Occupancy related	1,302			1,264
	Utilities	1,319			1,002
	Other accrued expenses	3,360			2,801
		$	7,614		$	7,249

Borrowings

Borrowings	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013
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 July 2017. 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 in full its outstanding $75.0 million senior term loan and the majority of the revolving line of credit. The Company will continue to have access to the funds and 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 October 1, 2013, the Company had $1.7 million outstanding and $41.3 million available for borrowing under the credit facility. Outstanding letters of credit aggregating $2.0 million reduce the amount of borrowings available under the agreement. The credit facility bore interest at rates ranging from 4.25% to 5.50% and 3.5% to 5.5% for the third quarter of 2013 and the first three quarters of 2013, respectively. The Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants as of October 1, 2013.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013
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.
	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
	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 October 1, 2013, $460,000 and $480,000 were included in other assets, net and other-long term liabilities, respectively, which represent the carrying value of both the liability for deferred compensation plan and associated life insurance policy equal to fair value.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The following table presents the Company's provision for income taxes for the three quarters ended October 1, 2013 and October 2, 2012 (dollars in thousands):
		October 1,			October 2,
		2013			2012
	Provision for income taxes	$	2,633		$	2,540
	Effective tax rate	38		%	41.3		%
	The 2013 estimated annual effective tax rate is expected to be 39.2% compared to 38.4% for the full year 2012. The effective tax rate for the first three quarters of 2013 includes the discrete adjustment for certain transaction costs related to the IPO.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013
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				Three Fiscal Quarters Ended
		October 1, 2013		October 2, 2012		October 1, 2013		October 2, 2012
	Outstanding, beginning of period	3,474,398		2,789,212		2,973,168		2,621,017
	Granted(1)	—		8,655		538,273		176,850
	Exercised	—		—		—		—
	Canceled	1,961		129,949		39,004		129,949
	Outstanding, end of period	3,472,437		2,667,918		3,472,437		2,667,918
	Weighted average fair market value on option grant date	N/A		$	—	$	5.81	$	—
	Stock based compensation expense(2)	$	131	$	315	$	4,065	$	921
	Capitalized stock based compensation expense	$	15	$	21	$	56	$	57
	______________________
	(1) The stock options granted in the first three quarters of 2013 included 403,900 awards to two executive officers of which 50% vested at IPO and the remaining vest annually over four years on the anniversary of the grant in equal installments.
	(2) Stock-based compensation expense includes $45,000 related to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2013 and is included in general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of income. Of the total stock-based compensation recognized in the first three quarters of 2013, $2.0 million related to accelerated vesting of outstanding stock options at the IPO and $1.2 million related to stock options granted at the IPO to 2 executive officers of which 50% were vested at the time of grant.
	On October 1, 2013, 23,289 warrants previously issued to a consultant were exercised for Class B common stock at an exercise price of $8.67 per share. Of the original warrants issued, 57,700 remain outstanding as of October 1, 2013.
	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 three quarters of 2013, the Company issued 14,425 shares of common stock under the ESPP. As of October 1, 2013, the Company has 735,675 shares available for future issuance under the ESPP.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013
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				Three Fiscal Quarters Ended
		October 1,		October 2,		October 1,		October 2,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Net income (in thousands):	$	3,265	$	133	$	4,257	$	3,604
	Shares:
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding	29,399,650		23,238,984		25,382,805		23,238,984
	Dilutive stock options and warrants	1,663,563		149,745		1,145,199		11,761
	Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding	31,063,213		23,388,729		26,528,004		23,250,745
	Earnings per share:
	Basic EPS	$	0.11	$	0.01	$	0.17	$	0.16
	Diluted EPS	$	0.11	$	0.01	$	0.16	$	0.16
	In the third quarter of 2013 and 2012 and in the first three quarters of 2013 and 2012, zero and 172,831, and 488,018 and 2,552,951 outstanding options, respectively, were 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.

Supplemental_Disclosures_to_Co

Supplemental Disclosures to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013
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 three quarters ended October 1, 2013 and October 2, 2012 (in thousands):
		October 1,			October 2,
		2013			2012
	Interest paid (net of amounts capitalized)	$	2,748		$	4,744
	Income taxes paid	400			273
	(Payments for) purchases of property and equipment accrued in accounts payable	(1,363		)	2,025

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to 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 October 1, 2013. 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 earlier terminated. 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.
	The prior employment agreements with such executives, which were superseded by the agreements entered into in connection with the IPO, included a call option in favor of the Company and a put option in favor of the executive, for the Company to purchase certain shares at fair market value if the employment agreement was terminated prior to a qualified initial public offering. The put option did not result in the executive avoiding the risks and rewards of owning the shares. The fair value of the shares of common stock subject to such put options was presented as temporary equity in the Company's consolidated financial statements. In connection with the IPO, the put options were terminated and amounts previously presented in temporary equity were reclassified to permanent stockholders' equity in the Company's consolidated financial statements.

RelatedParty_Transactions

Related-Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related-Party Transactions	'
	Related-Party Transactions
	In the first three quarters of 2013 and the first three quarters of 2012, the Company paid $375,000 and $625,000, respectively, 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 in the third quarter of 2013. Management service fees and Class C dividends paid in prior fiscal quarters varies due to the timing of payments.
	In connection with the IPO during the second quarter of 2013, the Company paid $1.7 million of transaction bonuses and related payroll taxes to employees of the Company and $0.8 million in transaction payments to the Equity Sponsors.

Subsequent_Events_Notes

Subsequent Events (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	Subsequent Events
	The Company has evaluated subsequent events and found there to be no events requiring recognition or disclosure through the date of issuance of this report.

Business_and_Summary_and_Basis1

Business and Summary and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013
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 intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
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 2013, which ends on December 31, 2013 and fiscal year 2012, which ended on January 1, 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.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2013-02, "Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income," which revises disclosure requirements related to components of other comprehensive income. The Company adopted ASU 2013-02 effective January 2, 2013. The adoption concerns presentation and disclosure only and did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Reclassifications	'
	Reclassifications
	In the third quarter of 2013, the Company changed the manner in which it reports marketing expenses between general and administrative expenses and other restaurant operating costs to more appropriately reflect only those costs directly related to restaurant-level marketing in other restaurant operating costs.  Marketing costs previously reported as restaurant operating costs, that were not directly related to restaurant-level marketing, have been reclassified to general and administrative expense in the Company's consolidated financial statements in all periods presented. In the first two quarters of 2013 and the first two quarters of 2012, $1.0 million and $1.3 million, respectively, have been reclassified from restaurant operating costs to general and administrative expense. The change has no impact on income from operations.

Supplemental_Financial_Informa1

Supplemental Financial Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013
Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets	'
	Prepaid expenses and other assets consist of the following (in thousands):
		October 1,			January 1,
		2013			2013
	Prepaid occupancy related costs	$	3,029		$	2,700
	Other prepaid expenses	1,912			1,191
	Other current assets	58			79
		$	4,999		$	3,970
Schedule of Property and Equipment	'
	Property and equipment, net, consist of the following (in thousands):
		October 1,			January 1,
		2013			2013
	Leasehold improvements	$	164,498		$	139,907
	Furniture, fixtures, and equipment	89,270			77,202
	Construction in progress	5,865			7,878
		259,633			224,987
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(101,220		)	(88,700		)
		$	158,413		$	136,287
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities and Other Liabilities	'
	Accrued payroll and benefits consist of the following (in thousands):
		October 1,			January 1,
		2013			2013
	Accrued payroll and related liabilities	$	5,196		$	2,537
	Accrued bonus	2,303			1,981
	Insurance liabilities	1,372			827
		$	8,871		$	5,345
	Accrued expense and other liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
		October 1,			January 1,
		2013			2013
	Gift card liability	$	1,633		$	2,182
	Occupancy related	1,302			1,264
	Utilities	1,319			1,002
	Other accrued expenses	3,360			2,801
		$	7,614		$	7,249

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Provision for Income Taxes	'
	The following table presents the Company's provision for income taxes for the three quarters ended October 1, 2013 and October 2, 2012 (dollars in thousands):
		October 1,			October 2,
		2013			2012
	Provision for income taxes	$	2,633		$	2,540
	Effective tax rate	38		%	41.3		%

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013
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				Three Fiscal Quarters Ended
		October 1, 2013		October 2, 2012		October 1, 2013		October 2, 2012
	Outstanding, beginning of period	3,474,398		2,789,212		2,973,168		2,621,017
	Granted(1)	—		8,655		538,273		176,850
	Exercised	—		—		—		—
	Canceled	1,961		129,949		39,004		129,949
	Outstanding, end of period	3,472,437		2,667,918		3,472,437		2,667,918
	Weighted average fair market value on option grant date	N/A		$	—	$	5.81	$	—
	Stock based compensation expense(2)	$	131	$	315	$	4,065	$	921
	Capitalized stock based compensation expense	$	15	$	21	$	56	$	57
	______________________
	(1) The stock options granted in the first three quarters of 2013 included 403,900 awards to two executive officers of which 50% vested at IPO and the remaining vest annually over four years on the anniversary of the grant in equal installments.
	(2) Stock-based compensation expense includes $45,000 related to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2013 and is included in general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of income. Of the total stock-based compensation recognized in the first three quarters of 2013, $2.0 million related to accelerated vesting of outstanding stock options at the IPO and $1.2 million related to stock options granted at the IPO to 2 executive officers of which 50% were vested at the time of grant.

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013
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				Three Fiscal Quarters Ended
		October 1,		October 2,		October 1,		October 2,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Net income (in thousands):	$	3,265	$	133	$	4,257	$	3,604
	Shares:
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding	29,399,650		23,238,984		25,382,805		23,238,984
	Dilutive stock options and warrants	1,663,563		149,745		1,145,199		11,761
	Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding	31,063,213		23,388,729		26,528,004		23,250,745
	Earnings per share:
	Basic EPS	$	0.11	$	0.01	$	0.17	$	0.16
	Diluted EPS	$	0.11	$	0.01	$	0.16	$	0.16

Supplemental_Disclosures_to_Co1

Supplemental Disclosures to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013
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 three quarters ended October 1, 2013 and October 2, 2012 (in thousands):
		October 1,			October 2,
		2013			2012
	Interest paid (net of amounts capitalized)	$	2,748		$	4,744
	Income taxes paid	400			273
	(Payments for) purchases of property and equipment accrued in accounts payable	(1,363		)	2,025

Business_and_Summary_and_Basis2

Business and Summary and Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012	Jan. 01, 2013	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 01, 2013	Jul. 02, 2013	Jul. 03, 2012
	segment			Company-Owned [Member]	Franchise [Member]	IPO [Member]	Common Class A [Member]	Restatement Adjustment [Member]	Restatement Adjustment [Member]
	state			restaurant	restaurant		IPO [Member]
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of restaurants	'	'	'	310	58	'	'	'	'
Number of states in which Noodles & Company operates	29	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of operating segments	1	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments	1	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share price (USD per share)	'	'	'	'	'	'	$18	'	'
Shares issued	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,160,714	'	'
Common stock, par value (USD per share)	$0.01	'	$0.01	'	'	'	$0.01	'	'
Shares sold to underwriters	'	'	'	'	'	803,571	'	'	'
Proceeds from IPO	$100,101,000	($48,000)	'	'	'	$100,200,000	'	'	'
Repayment of debt	200,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of weeks in fiscal year	'364 days	'	'364 days	'	'	'	'	'	'
Reclassification of pperating costs to selling general and administrative expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1,000,000	$1,300,000

Supplemental_Financial_Informa2

Supplemental Financial Information (Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets) (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 01, 2013	Jan. 01, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]	'	'
Prepaid occupancy related costs	$3,029	$2,700
Other prepaid expenses	1,912	1,191
Other current assets	58	79
Prepaid expenses and other assets	$4,999	$3,970

Supplemental_Financial_Informa3

Supplemental Financial Information (Property and Equipment) (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 01, 2013	Jan. 01, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$259,633	$224,987
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-101,220	-88,700
Property and equipment, net	158,413	136,287
Leasehold Improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	164,498	139,907
Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	89,270	77,202
Construction in Progress [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$5,865	$7,878

Supplemental_Financial_Informa4

Supplemental Financial Information (Accrued Payroll and Benefits) (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 01, 2013	Jan. 01, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]	'	'
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	$5,196	$2,537
Accrued bonus	2,303	1,981
Insurance liabilities	1,372	827
Accrued payroll and benefits	$8,871	$5,345

Supplemental_Financial_Informa5

Supplemental Financial Information (Accrued Expense and Other Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 01, 2013	Jan. 01, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]	'	'
Gift card liability	$1,633	$2,182
Occupancy related	1,302	1,264
Utilities	1,319	1,002
Other accrued expenses	3,360	2,801
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$7,614	$7,249

Borrowings_Details

Borrowings (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 01, 2013
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	120,000,000	120,000,000
Amount outstanding	1,700,000	1,700,000
Remaining borrowing capacity	41,300,000	41,300,000
Letters of credit outstanding	2,000,000	2,000,000
Revolving Line of Credit [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	45,000,000	45,000,000
Senior Term Loan [Member] | IPO [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	75,000,000	75,000,000
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate	4.25%	3.50%
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate	5.50%	5.50%

Fair_Value_Measurements_1_Deta

Fair Value Measurements 1 (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 01, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Assets [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Deferred compensation plan	$460
Other Long Term Liabilities [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Deferred compensation plan	$480

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012	Jan. 01, 2013
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Provision for income taxes	$2,183	$107	$2,633	$2,540	'
Effective tax rate	'	'	38.00%	41.30%	38.40%
Estimated effective tax rate	39.20%	'	39.20%	'	'

StockBased_Compensation_Narrat

Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013	31-May-13
		IPO [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Number of securities exercised	23,289	'
Exercise price	8.67	'
Warrants outstanding	57,700	'
Maximum shares reserved for issuance	750,100	3,750,500
Discount from market place	85.00%	'
ESPP, shares issued	14,425	'
Shares available for future issuance	735,675	'

StockBased_Compensation_Stock_

Stock-Based Compensation (Stock Incentive Plan) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013		Oct. 02, 2012		Oct. 01, 2013		Oct. 02, 2012		Oct. 01, 2012
Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'		'
Vesting period	'4 years		'		'		'		'
Executive Officer [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'		'
Granted	403,900		'		'		'		'
Number of officers granted awards	2		'		'		'		'
IPO [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'		'
Vesting percentage	50.00%		'		'		'		'
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'		'
Stock based compensation expense	'		'		$45,000		'		'
Accelerated Vesting of Outstanding Stock Options [Member] | IPO [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'		'
Stock based compensation expense	'		'		2,000,000		'		'
Stock Options Granted [Member] | IPO [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'		'
Stock based compensation expense	'		'		1,200,000		'		'
Stock Option [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'		'
Outstanding, beginning of period	3,474,398		2,789,212		2,973,168		2,621,017		2,667,918
Granted	0	[1]	8,655	[1]	538,273	[1]	176,850	[1]	'
Exercised	0		0		0		0		'
Canceled	1,961		129,949		39,004		129,949		'
Outstanding, end of period	3,472,437		'		3,472,437		'		2,667,918
Weighted average fair market value on option grant date (USD per share)	'		$1.25		$5.81		$0		'
Stock based compensation expense	131,000	[2]	315,000	[2]	4,065,000	[2]	921,000	[2]	'
Capitalized stock based compensation expense	15,000		21,000		56,000		57,000		'
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] | Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'		'
Stock based compensation expense	$45,000		'		'		'		'
[1]	The stock options granted in the first three quarters of 2013 included 403,900 awards to two executive officers of which 50% vested at IPO and the remaining vest annually over four years on the anniversary of the grant in equal installments.
[2]	Stock-based compensation expense includes $45,000 related to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2013 and is included in general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of income. Of the total stock-based compensation recognized in the first three quarters of 2013, $2.0 million related to accelerated vesting of outstanding stock options at the IPO and $1.2 million related to stock options granted at the IPO to 2 executive officers of which 50% were vested at the time of grant.

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$3,265	$133	$4,257	$3,604
Shares:	'	'	'	'
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	29,399,650	23,238,984	25,382,805	23,238,984
Dilutive stock options and warrants (in shares)	1,663,563	149,745	1,145,199	11,761
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	31,063,213	23,388,729	26,528,004	23,250,745
Earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic EPS (USD per share)	$0.11	$0.01	$0.17	$0.16
Diluted EPS (USD per share)	$0.11	$0.01	$0.16	$0.16
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	0	172,831	488,018	2,552,951

Supplemental_Disclosures_to_Co2

Supplemental Disclosures to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'	'
Interest paid (net of amounts capitalized)	$2,748	$4,744
Income taxes paid	400	273
(Payments for) purchases of property and equipment accrued in accounts payable	($1,363)	$2,025

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (Executives [Member])	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013
	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	'18 months

RelatedParty_Transactions_Deta

Related-Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 01, 2013
	Management Services Fees [Member]	Dividend Paid [Member]	IPO [Member]	IPO [Member]
	Equity Sponsors [Member]	Class C Common Stock [Member]	Bonuses and Payroll Taxes [Member]	Bonuses and Payroll Taxes [Member]
		Equity Sponsors [Member]	Equity Sponsors [Member]	Employees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount paid to related party	$375	$625	$800	$1,700