Noodles and Company: If you love noodle dishes, you’re going to love Noodles and company, an American fast-casual restaurant chain. The menu consists of both American and international noodle dishes, along with salads and soups. Founded by Aaron Kennedy in 1995, the company is headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado. The restaurant chain recently went public, reporting $457 million in revenue in 2017.
Thrillist’s Kevin Alexander on Noodles & Company
After the disastrous opening of noodle chain Noodles and Company, Kevin Alexander is determined to turn the restaurant around. Founded in 1995 in Colorado, Noodles serve a variety of noodles and non-noodle items. Today, the chain boasts 400 locations in the U.S., and its aesthetic resembles that of an airport food court. Restaurants feature recessed lighting, pleather-lined booths, and a fancy Coca-Cola soda machine with 300,000 different soda options. But what about the food? Is it noodle-based? Or is Noodles & Company just another fast-casual chain?
Its menu
Its menu at noodles and company includes international pasta and noodle dishes, including mac and cheese, pad Thai, and mac n’ cheese. Among the dishes are Vietnamese noodles, which you can order at the counter-serve chain. Located in the South Loop, this noodle bar is a great spot for lunch, dinner, and happy hour. For the best Thai-inspired noodles, try the Pad Thai noodle dish.
While the dishes at Noodles and Company are excellent, their popularity has caused many customers to question their authenticity. The company is aware of changing trends and needs to focus on what they do best. If they change their menus, they can always change their logos and umbrellas. The restaurant has over 400 locations, but you can order online to make sure you’ll get the food you ordered. Until then, make sure to check out their menu to make sure the dish you ordered is safe.
For people with dietary restrictions, Noodles and Company offers many gluten-free options. Among its gluten-free pasta options are a few varieties of rice noodles, zucchini noodles, and cauliflower noodles. If you’re gluten-intolerant, you can order the chicken Veracruz salad, which features vegetables to give you an extra boost of fiber. For those with sensitive digestive systems, it may not be the best option, but it’s worth a try.
Contains close to 1,000 calories
Although Noodles and Company offer familiar comfort foods, you should keep in mind that each “regular” portion contains close to 1,000 calories. Because of that, it’s recommended to order a small portion and share it with a friend. To make it even healthier, you can order a half-portion of the dishes. The menu also contains nutritional information for each dish, which will make it easier for you to make the right choice for you and your family.
For those looking for a quick bite, Noodles and Company is an excellent choice. The menu is constantly changing and includes many delicious options for everyone. They source their ingredients and serve healthy food, including gluten-free and vegetarian options. The restaurant is also very friendly to people with dietary restrictions, which is great news for any restaurant business. So many people are concerned about how their food is prepared and if their meal is containing gluten, they can easily choose a different dish for their meal.
Its ghost kitchens
The company plans to open its second ghost kitchen in the San Jose area during Q1 2021, following its first ghost kitchen in Chicago. The concept of ghost kitchens is a way to reach a wider audience and increase its brand awareness. The ghost kitchen allows fans to order menu items without having to eat at the restaurant. Customers can place orders through third-party delivery services or pick up their orders in the store.
The success of a ghost kitchen depends on its delivery service. A ghost kitchen in the suburbs will have poorer delivery service than one in a downtown area. Another way to overcome the challenges is to partner with a ghost kitchen startup, such as REEF Kitchens. By offering fresh and affordable meals through ghost kitchens, grocery stores can adapt to new demands. The company aims to provide more choices for its customers, ranging from local delivery-only restaurants to celebrity-fueled offerings.
Using the restaurant’s website and mobile app
After testing ghost kitchens in Chicago and Humboldt Park, Noodles and Company has now launched a second ghost kitchen in San Jose. Customers can now order noodles from the ghost kitchen using the restaurant’s website and mobile app. The ghost kitchens are part of the company’s overall digital strategy. They offer a convenient method for customers to order noodles and reward their loyalty with various perks. The company hopes to roll out ghost kitchens to more cities soon.
During COVID-19, the trend of ghost kitchens is gaining popularity. During that period, the growth of the digital business in restaurants was phenomenal. In October, Kroger Co. KR, -0.55% announced plans to start delivering food via ghost kitchens, while Chili’s parent Brinker International Inc. EAT, -2.69% launched It’s Just Wings, which could make $150 million in its first year.
With more competition in the food delivery market, the concept of ghost kitchens is an ideal option for small businesses. Even national chains use ghost kitchens to test out new locations. They can test out the new location without risking their brand. They have little risk but can increase profits and customers. The new concept is becoming increasingly popular.