---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001275158-26-000036"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "NDLS"
cik: "0001275158"
company_name: "NOODLES & Co"
filed_at: "2026-05-06T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-14T22:33:09.053579+00:00"
event_type: "earnings"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Noodles & Company Q1 comp sales up 9.1%; net loss narrows to $3.4M; raises FY outlook

## Summary
- Total revenue flat at $123.8M; system-wide comparable sales +9.1% (company-owned +9.4%, franchise +8.0%).
- Net loss improved to $3.4M ($0.58 loss per diluted share) from $9.1M ($1.58 loss) in Q1 2025.
- Adjusted EBITDA surged 218% to $7.7M; restaurant contribution margin rose to 14.9% from 10.3%.
- Company raised full-year 2026 outlook based on first-quarter performance (specific guidance not detailed in release).
- Operating margin improved to (0.7)% from (5.2)% year-over-year.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001275158-26-000036
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: NDLS
- cik: 0001275158
- company_name: NOODLES & Co
- filed_at: 2026-05-06T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: earnings
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 2.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1275158/000127515826000036/0001275158-26-000036-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1275158/000127515826000036/ndls-20260506.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001275158-26-000036
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001275158-26-000036.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001275158-26-000036.txt

## Source-grounded claims
- claim_id: c850ece8bfbd61cb462d77977bc55fc1a5a49ce1
  claim: NOODLES & Co reported first quarter ended March 31, 2026 results: revenue $123.8 million, net income $3.4 million, EPS $0.58 loss per diluted share. Guidance raised.
  evidence_excerpt: results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2026. Key highlights for the first quarter of 2026 versus the first quarter of 2025 include: • Total revenue remained flat at $123.8 million. • Comparable restaurant sales increased 9.1% system-wide, comprised of a 9.4% increase at company-owned restaurants and an 8.0% increase at franchise restaurants. • Net loss was
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1275158/000127515826000036/0001275158-26-000036-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.