# Noodles & Company narrows loss as comparable sales rise 9.5% in Q3

> Noodles & Company reported stronger restaurant economics and tightened its 2026 outlook after comparable sales rose 9.5% system-wide in the third quarter.

Source page: https://stoqly.net/news/noodles-company-q3-2026-results

- **Published:** 2026-11-13T21:05:00+00:00
- **Section:** In the news

Noodles & Company reported a sharper operating profile in the third quarter: comparable restaurant sales rose 9.5% system-wide, while the company narrowed its net loss and expanded restaurant-level margins.

Revenue was $120.9 million, down 1.0% from $122.1 million a year earlier, but the net loss improved to $2.1 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, from $9.2 million, or $1.58 per share. Operating margin reached 0.1%, compared with negative 5.2% in the prior-year quarter.

Restaurant contribution margin increased 350 basis points to 16.7%, and adjusted EBITDA rose to $8.7 million from $6.5 million. Management attributed the progress to higher average unit volumes, cost efficiencies, menu and marketing execution, and the removal of underperforming restaurants from the portfolio.

The company said it had reduced debt by more than $9.0 million year to date. At Sept. 29, it reported $1.5 million of cash and cash equivalents, $101.0 million of debt and $21.2 million available under its revolving credit facility. A Nov. 12 amendment extended the facility’s maturity to Nov. 30, 2027, among other changes.

**Updated 2026 outlook** Noodles tightened its full-year ranges to revenue of $485 million–$495 million, comparable-sales growth of 9.0%–10.0%, restaurant contribution margin of 16.0%–16.7% and adjusted EBITDA of $35 million–$37 million. It expects 34–36 company-owned and seven–eight franchised restaurant closures.

The results arrive while the strategic review announced in September 2025 remains in process. The review covers refinancing, refranchising or a sale of all or part of the business, and other strategic or financial transactions, according to the filing.

- Revenue: $120.9M -1.0% y/y
- Comparable sales: +9.5% system-wide
- Adjusted EBITDA: $8.7M +34.3% y/y
- Net loss: $2.1M vs. $9.2M

- [Noodles & Company, Q3 2026 earnings release, filed as SEC Exhibit 99.1 on Nov. 13, 2026](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1275158/000127515826000058/a2026q3ex991pressrelease.htm)
- [Noodles & Company, Form 8-K dated Nov. 13, 2026](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1275158/000127515826000058/ndls-20261113.htm)

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Written by Stoqly from SEC filings and market data. For information only — not investment advice or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security.