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Noodles & Company

Fast-casual restaurant serving globally inspired dishes

Restaurant Assistant General Manager

Full-TimeDeadline 9/23/27
$43k - $53k/yr+ Quarterly bonus
Junior
Shorewood, IL, USA
In Person
Food Service & HospitalityFood & Beverage Operations Management

About the job

Requirements
  • Bring at least one year of management or leadership experience.
  • Demonstrate conflict-resolution skills and strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Work 45 hours per week on a variable schedule, including opening, mid, and closing shifts, weekends, and/or holidays. Current scheduling expectations include one opening shift, two mid shifts (11 a.m.–8 p.m.), one closing shift, and one additional shift based on restaurant needs; expectations may change based on business needs.
  • Meet the physical requirements of the role, including standing for long periods, bending, twisting, reaching, lifting up to 55 pounds, and performing routine restaurant tasks, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Obtain and maintain required food-safety licenses or certifications in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations.
  • Hold a valid driver’s license; occasional driving may be necessary.
  • Be at least 18 years old.
Responsibilities
  • Lead a high-performing team alongside the General Manager to deliver operational excellence.
  • Provide an exceptional guest experience and foster a welcoming, supportive environment.
  • Recruit, hire, train, and manage restaurant team members and shift managers.
  • Identify high-potential talent and support growth through ongoing development and recognition.
  • Follow operational, inventory, and food-safety procedures to maintain consistent restaurant standards.
  • Assist with scheduling, labor management, expense control, and local restaurant marketing efforts.
  • Lead with a culture of food safety that meets company standards for food quality, safety practices, and cleanliness.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience in food service, retail, hospitality, or hotel management is preferred.

About the company

Noodles & Company runs fast-casual restaurants that offer globally inspired, made-to-order dishes. Their menu includes items like classic mac and cheese, Italian pasta, Asian noodles, and fresh salads, all prepared quickly for in-store dining, takeout, or catering. The food is cooked fresh to order, with an emphasis on quality ingredients and a diverse range of flavors. The company differentiates itself through its broad, globally inspired menu, ethical sourcing and animal-welfare standards, and a strong focus on customer satisfaction and inclusion. They also maintain a loyalty program that rewards repeat customers and help drive repeat visits. With more than 450 locations across 26 states, the company aims to serve a wide audience, from families to young professionals. Overall, its goal is to nourish and inspire every team member, guest, and community it serves by upholding quality, responsible sourcing, and community-focused values.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Broomfield, Colorado

Founded

1995

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Q2 2026 comparable sales rose 10.3%, and company traffic climbed 7.6%.
  • Full-year 2026 guidance rose to $485-$500 million revenue and $34-$38 million EBITDA.
  • Las Cruces opened Sept. 23, 2026, marking New Mexico entry and area growth.

What critics are saying

  • Noodles plans 30-35 company closures in 2026, shrinking its base and disrupting staff.
  • Debt was $105.4 million on June 30, 2026, against $1.3 million cash.
  • Debt matures July 27, 2027; failed refinancing triggers distress or forced sale.

What makes Noodles & Company unique

  • Noodles & Company is the only national brand dedicated to noodles, per Sept. 23, 2026.
  • Globally inspired menus let it win both mac-and-cheese and ramen occasions in one visit.
  • Franchise partnerships, like Tsunami Enterprises in New Mexico, accelerate low-capital expansion.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Pet Insurance
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Parental Leave
  • Adoption Assistance
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  • Professional Development Budget
  • Training Programs

Company News

Louis Velazquez
Oct 17th, 2026
Noodles & Company overhauls menu after dozens of locations close.

Noodles & Company overhauls menu after dozens of locations close. Fast-casual chain Noodles & Company has been busy over the last two years implementing plans to improve the performance of its locations, which has included the closure of restaurants, launch of a review of strategic alternatives, and an overhaul of its menu. Looking to drive more foot traffic to its restaurants, Noodles & Company added a new permanent ramen noodle category to its menu after a limited-time offer became one of the most successful launches in the 31-year-old chain's history. Noodles & Company launched its new menu category with its Gochujang Carbonara Ramen Noodles, Sweet Sesame Steak Ramen Noodles, and Spicy Korean Steak Ramen Noodles, and said that it would rotate new ramen creations into the lineup over time, the company said in an Oct. 14 statement. Noodles & Company permanently adds ramen noodle bowls to its menu. Noodles & Company adds ramen to menu. The initial menu's Gochujang Carbonara Ramen Noodles, Sweet Sesame Steak Ramen Noodles will be offered for a limited time, but ramen will remain a permanent menu category with new creations rotating into the lineup. Noodles & Company made ramen a permanent part of its menu after its limited-time offer, Chili Garlic Ramen, generated over 156,000 new-guest visits to the brand, the statement said. "The incredible response to Chili Garlic Ramen showed us that our guests are hungry to see what Noodles can do with ramen," Noodles & Company Interim Chief Marketing Officer Dwayne Chambers said in a statement. "Ramen gives us an exciting new way to build on 30 years of noodle expertise, bringing guests the comfort they love while continuing to surprise them with bold flavors and unexpected twists. Making ramen a permanent part of our menu is just the beginning of what we can do with this incredibly versatile noodle," Chambers said. Company revamps menu. Noodles & Company launched a menu overhaul in March 2025, which added six new items to its menu: Buffalo Chicken Ranch Mac & Cheese, Garlic Bacon Crunch Mac & Cheese, Pulled Pork BBQ Mac & Cheese, Cajun Shrimp Fettuccine, Green Goddess Cobb Salad, and Lemon Parmesan Broccoli. The company also added Steak Stroganoff and Chili Garlic Ramen bowls to the menu subsequently in 2025. Noodles & Company currently doesn't feature the popular Chili Garlic Ramen on its menu, however. The company added three new menu items in 2024: Lemon Garlic Shrimp Scampi, Crispy Chicken Bacon Alfredo, and Chipotle Chicken Cavatappi. "We've spent more than 30 years exploring what's possible with noodles, and ramen gives us another incredible canvas for flavor and creativity," Tina Massey, Noodles & Company's vice president of culinary R&D, said in the statement. Variety of noodles offered. Noodles & Company will add the ramen bowls to its existing pasta and noodle dishes that include Spaghetti and Meatballs, Lemon Garlic Shrimp Scampi, Rigatoni Rosa with Parmesan Chicken, Creamy Cheddar Mac & Cheese, and others. The launch of its new menu comes over a year after launching a review of strategic alternatives in September 2025 and just months after Noodles & Company announced the closure of dozens of underperforming locations across the country. Chain closing 40 locations in 2026. Noodles & Company said it would close up to 40 restaurant locations in 2026, including 30 to 35 company owned and five franchised stores, according to its business outlook released in its second quarter financial results on July 24. The company expects to open just one franchise location in 2026, the quarterly report said. The restaurant closings in 2026 follow the shuttering of 33 underperforming locations in 2025, according to Restaurant Business. Noodles & Company began a review of its strategic alternatives on Sept. 3, 2025, and the review remains ongoing. It included a potential refinancing of existing indebtedness that matures on July 27, 2027; a refranchising or sale of all or part of the business; or other strategic or financial transactions.

PR Newswire
Sep 23rd, 2026
Noodles & Company opens first New Mexico location in Las Cruces

Noodles & Company has opened its first restaurant in New Mexico, located in Las Cruces at 3497 Northrise Drive. The restaurant began serving customers on 23 September, offering made-to-order dishes including Creamy Cheddar Mac & Cheese, Japanese Pan Noodles, and Pesto Cavatappi, along with salads and soups. The location is operated by Tsunami Enterprises under a multi-unit franchise and area development agreement. The opening is expected to create 20 to 30 local jobs. The restaurant operates daily from 10:30 to 22:00. With over 390 company-owned and franchise locations, Noodles & Company has been operating since 1995. The brand plans further expansion across New Mexico through its partnership with Tsunami Enterprises.

Restaurant News Resource
Sep 23rd, 2026
Noodles & Company opens first new mexico restaurant.

Noodles & Company opens first new mexico restaurant. Sep 23, 2026 - 10:42 Sep 23, 2026 - 08:42 Noodles & Company opened its first New Mexico restaurant Sept. 23 at 3497 Northrise Dr. in Las Cruces, operated by Tsunami Enterprises under a multi-unit franchise and area development agreement. The restaurant is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is expected to create 20 to 30 local jobs. The menu includes made-to-order dishes such as Creamy Cheddar Mac & Cheese, Japanese Pan Noodles and Pesto Cavatappi, as well as salads, soups and shareables. The partnership with Tsunami Enterprises includes plans to expand across the area. Noodles Rewards members earn points on orders and receive access to offers, early access to menu items and birthday rewards. Customers can join through the Noodles app or at Noodles.com/rewards. Noodles & Company has more than 390 company-owned and franchise restaurants.

Yahoo Finance
Jul 24th, 2026
Noodles & Company raises guidance after 10.3% same-store sales growth in Q2

Noodles & Company raised its full-year guidance after reporting 10.3% same-store sales growth in the second quarter, marking its seventh consecutive quarter of comparable sales growth. The Broomfield, Colorado-based chain saw traffic at company units rise 7.6%, whilst average unit volumes increased nearly 16% to $1.57 million. Restaurant margins grew by 440 basis points to 17.2%, and adjusted EBITDA increased nearly 80%. The company now expects full-year revenue between $485 million and $500 million, with same-store sales growth of 8% to 11%. CEO Joe Christina attributed the results to the brand's turnaround efforts and strong performance of Asian menu items, including Indonesian Peanut Saute and Chili Garlic Ramen. The chain plans to close 30 to 35 company-owned restaurants and five franchised units in 2026.

BizWest Media LLC
Jul 23rd, 2026
Former Noodles exec fills new post at Ziggi's.

Former Noodles exec fills new post at Ziggi's. MEAD - Stacey Pool, who spent four years as chief marketing officer for Broomfield-based pasta chain Noodles & Co. (Nasdaq: NDLS), has joined Ziggi's Coffee as chief growth officer, a new leadership role at the Mead-based company. The appointment announced Thursday comes at a pivotal moment for Ziggi's as the brand marks 10 years of franchising, with 120 locations open and more than 200 in development. In the newly created role, Pool will lead Ziggi's expansion strategy, identifying opportunities and translating them into a long-term roadmap for the brand, the company said. Sponsored Content "Stacey brings a rare mix of franchise experience and brand-building expertise, and she'll play a critical role in shaping the long-term growth strategy that takes Ziggi's into its next phase," Brandon Knudsen, co-founder and CEO of Ziggi's Coffee, said in a prepared statement. "Beyond marketing, she understands what it takes to build the systems and strategy that help our brand and our franchisees grow together." Pool most recently was chief marketing officer at FullSpeed Automotive, a franchise system of more than 900 locations. Her career also includes stints as senior vice president for corporate marketing at Broomfield-based Vail Resorts Inc. (NYSE: MTN). She also held digital marketing leadership roles at Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE). "The founders have built something special - a differentiated brand, a loyal guest base and a strong franchise foundation," Pool said of Ziggi's in a prepared statement. "My focus is on building on that momentum to drive the next phase of growth: scaling the system thoughtfully, strengthening franchisee profitability, and deepening the connection guests have with Ziggi's every day." Founded in 2004 and franchised since 2016, Ziggi's opened its first location in Longmont. Stacey Pool, who spent four years as chief marketing officer for Broomfield-based pasta chain Noodles & Co., has joined Ziggi's Coffee as chief growth officer, a new leadership role at the Mead-based company. Already have a paid subscription?