Fast Casual Chain Could Close Nearly Two Dozen Locations in 2025

A fast casual chain restaurant with a strong presence in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin could see nearly two dozen of its locations closed this year due to financial hardships, as reported by a number of sources.

As I've written about practically two dozen times myself over the last six months, a bevy of once-ubiquitous chains are shuttering locations at a rapid rate. The landscape for mid-level chain restaurants has been looking especially bleak and brutal as of late. This year, Hooters has filed for bankruptcy, and Red Robin is also planning to close 70 locations too. Recently, TGI Fridays was confirmed to be down to just 85 locations, with only a combined four remaining in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin (none of which in Iowa).

READ MORE: Once-Popular Restaurant Chain in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin Down to 85 Locations

Noodles & Company is Facing Some Tough Decisions:

Per KTLA, Noodles & Company is planning on closing up to 21 of its restaurants across the United States in 2025 to improve its financial footing. This news came from the company earlier in the month of May. Noodles & Company, which is based in Colorado, made this declaration during a first-quarter earnings report released on May 7th.

The company stated that it plans to shutter between 13 and 17 company-owned locations and four franchised restaurants.

Which Noodles & Company Locations Will Be Impacted?:

At this time, the locations Noodles & Company plans to close have not been announced. Those decisions are "still in progress," per a company spokesperson. As of this writing, the company operates 380 company-owned and 89 franchised locations across 31 states, including in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

Noodles & Company currently operates 11 locations in Iowa, including in Dubuque, Davenport, Cedar Rapids, and Waterloo. In addition, there are 49 restaurants in Illinois, and 47 in Wisconsin. So, of the chain's 469 combined locations, 107 exist in the combined three states (22.8% of the company's portfolio).

Noodles & Company's Stock Took a Tumble Too:

Per KTLA, Noodles & Company's stock was nearly delisted from the Nasdaq stock index following a significant drop in its price. As of close-of-business today (May 19th), its stock price is at a lowly 85 cents:

Our focus remains on operating a strong, healthy restaurant base that allows us to deliver the best possible experience to our guests - a Noodles & Company spokesperson, per KTLA

Since assuming the role of CEO in March 2024, Drew Madsen has prioritized implementing a new menu geared towards revitalizing Noodles & Company. This has also led to increased marketing investments. The company reported a 2% increase in revenue from January to March, suggesting the changes are slowly showing a positive effect.

Dubuque Got its Noodles & Company Location in 2023:

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Noodles & Company opened its first location in Dubuque in the summer of 2023. It's located at 800 Wacker Drive, inside the former Caribou Coffee location. Catherine and I have gone there several times, and have had nothing but positive experiences and delicious food each and every instance. Even when the staff is swarmed with customers, they're efficient.

I also had a Noodles & Company by my college, and would eat there a couple times a month as a treat, particularly during stressful finals week. I'm a simple soul. My go-to was always the buttered noodles with Italian seasonings.

Noodles & Company's menu has a wide variety of pasta dishes, including Penne Rosa, Tortellini, Pasta Fresca, and simple comfort offerings like spaghetti and meatballs. Read more about the possible closing of several Noodles & Company locations on KTLA's website.