# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001275158
**File Stem:** 0001275158-25-000085
**Filing Date:** 2025-8
**Character Count:** 15233
**Document Hash:** f1f04203d98326bf739e55826666eda9
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001275158-25-000085.hdr.sgml**: 20250805

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001275158-25-000085

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 8-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 14

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20250805

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Regulation FD Disclosure

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Financial Statements and Exhibits

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20250805

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20250805

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** NOODLES & Co
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001275158
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** RETAIL-EATING PLACES [5812]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 07 Trade & Services
- **EIN:** 841303469
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1230

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 001-35987
- **FILM NUMBER:** 251185118

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 520 ZANG ST., SUITE D
- **CITY:** BROOMFIELD
- **STATE:** CO
- **ZIP:** 80021
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 720-214-1904

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 520 ZANG ST., SUITE D
- **CITY:** BROOMFIELD
- **STATE:** CO
- **ZIP:** 80021

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** NOODLES & CO
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20040102

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'? ndls-20250805

    

**UNITED STATES**

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**

**Washington, D.C. 20549**

_______________

**FORM 8-K** 

**CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT**

**TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE**

**SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934**

**Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): August 5, 2025** 

**NOODLES & COMPANY** 

**(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)**

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Delaware** | **001-35987** | **84-1303469** |
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of | (Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer |
| Incorporation) | | Identification No.) |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **520 Zang Street, Suite D** | **520 Zang Street, Suite D** | |
| **Broomfield,** | **CO** | **80021** |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |

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**Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (720) 214-1900** 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **<u>Title of each class</u>** | **<u>Trading Symbol(s)</u>** | **<u>Name of each exchange on which registered</u>** |
| Class A common stock | NDLS | Nasdaq Global Select Market |

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

    

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**Item 5.02. Departure of Directors of Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.**

On August 5, 2025, Noodles & Company (the "Company") announced that the Company's current President and Chief Operating Officer, Joseph Christina, has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board"), and elected to serve as a member of the Board, effective August 31, 2025 (the "Effective Date"). Mr. Christina will succeed the Company's current Chief Executive Officer, Drew Madsen, as of the Effective Date. Mr. Madsen is stepping down as Chief Executive Officer for personal medical reasons, but will facilitate the transition through August and continue to serve as a member of the Board.

Mr. Christina has served as the Company's President and Chief Operating Officer since February 2025. Prior to joining the Company, he was Chief Executive Officer of Tijuana Flats, a restaurant chain serving Tex-Mex cuisine, from 2022 to July 2024. Prior to this, he served as EVP, US Operations and then CEO, President, and Board Member of Church's Chicken, a fast food restaurant chain that specializes in fried chicken, positions he held from 2013 to August of 2022. Mr. Christina's career began at Burger King, where he worked for 29 years, climbing through key positions such as Restaurant Manager, Franchise Owner, VP of Global Operations and Training, and ultimately SVP of Franchise Operations for the West Division. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Marketing from Quinnipiac University and brings to the Company's Board of Directors his perspective on the Company's operations as an executive officer and broad experience in restaurant operations and restaurant brand development.

In connection with Mr. Christina's appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer, the Company and Mr. Christina entered into an amended and restated employment agreement, dated August 5, 2025 (the "Employment Agreement") and, in connection with his appointment to the Board, the parties entered into the Company's standard form of indemnification agreement for directors. The Employment Agreement provides that, as of the Effective Date, Mr. Christina will receive an annual base salary of $550,000 and an annual bonus opportunity for the fiscal year in an amount targeted at 100% of his base salary (pro-rated for February 2025 hire date), subject to the achievement of performance conditions established by the Board or the Compensation Committee in their discretion. In addition, Mr. Christina will receive an initial equity grant of 250,000 restricted stock units under the Company's Amended and Restated 2023 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan") on the Effective Date, which will vest in four annual ratable installments subject to the terms of a separate grant agreement. Mr. Christina will continue to be entitled to the standard benefits available to the Company's executives generally, including health insurance, life and disability coverage and the option to participate in the Company's 401(k) Savings Plan.

The Employment Agreement maintains Mr. Christina's existing rights upon certain termination events that were set forth in his February agreement, except that if Mr. Christina's employment is terminated by the Company without cause, or he voluntarily terminates his employment for good reason, Mr. Christina will be entitled to receive 12 months of his base salary and COBRA premium rather than 9 months.

The Employment Agreement also prohibits Mr. Christina from competing with the Company and soliciting employees of the Company for 12 months following his termination of employment for any reason. Mr. Christina is also subject to confidentiality, cooperation, return of business records and equipment, and non-disparagement covenants.

On August 5, 2025, the Company entered into a transition agreement with Mr. Madsen (the "Transition Agreement"). The Transition Agreement sets forth Mr. Madsen's resignation as of August 31, 2025 and provides for mutual releases and that the equity awards granted under the Plan then held by Mr. Madsen will be treated as follows: (a) the unvested portion of the grant of 199,203 restricted stock units ("RSUs") will continue to vest in accordance with the existing terms of the award so long as Mr. Madsen continues to serve as a member of the Board and (b) all other outstanding equity awards that are not then vested will be canceled. Mr. Madsen will be entitled to receive compensation in the form and amount set forth in the Amended and Restated Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the "Director Plan") beginning as of the Effective Date during his service as a non-employee director, with his first equity award under the Director Plan to be the annual grant in 2026.

Mr. Madsen continues to be bound by the confidentiality and restrictive covenant provisions set forth in the employment agreement, dated March 6, 2024, between the Company and Mr. Madsen and remains a party to an indemnification agreement with the Company.

The preceding summaries of each of the Employment Agreement and the Transition Agreement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the complete terms and conditions of each of the Employment Agreement and the Transition Agreement, which will be filed as exhibits to the Company's next Form 10-Q.

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**Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.**

On August 5, 2025, the Company issued a press release announcing the appointment of Mr. Christina as President and Chief Executive Officer to succeed Mr. Madsen and as a director.

The press release also announced the Company's decision to reschedule the conference call and press release discussing its second quarter 2025 financial results that were to occur after the close of market on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. The conference call will now be held on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. ET and the press release will be issued after the market close that same day.

A copy of the Company's press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The information contained in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished and shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any other filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

**Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.**

(d) Exhibits.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit No.** | **Description** |
| 99.1 | <u>[Noodles & Company Press Release da](ex991noodlescopressrelease.htm)[ted August](ex991noodlescopressrelease.htm)[5](ex991noodlescopressrelease.htm)[, 2025](ex991noodlescopressrelease.htm)</u> |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File. The cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. |

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**SIGNATURE**

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| | | Noodles & Company |
| DATE: August 5, 2025 | *By:* | /s/ Mike Hynes |
|  | *Name:* | Mike Hynes |
|  | *Title:* | Chief Financial Officer |

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## Exhibit 99.1

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**Exhibit 99.1**

![noodleslogo06a.jpg](noodleslogo06a.jpg)<br>

**NOODLES & COMPANY NAMES JOSEPH D. CHRISTINA AS PRESIDENT AND CEO** 

**Drew Madsen to Remain on Board of Directors**

**Reschedules Earnings Call For August 13th**

**Broomfield, Colo., August 5, 2025** (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Noodles & Company (Nasdaq: NDLS) today announced the promotion of Joseph D. Christina, the Company's current President and Chief Operating Officer, to the role of President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors, effective August 31, 2025. He will succeed Drew Madsen, who is stepping down as CEO for personal medical reasons but will facilitate the transition through August and continue to serve on the Company's Board of Directors.

"On behalf of the entire Board, I want to thank Drew for his steady leadership and service," said Jeff Jones, Chairman of the Board. "We're pleased he will continue to provide guidance as a board director, given his vast industry experience and leadership as we have undertaken our brand revitalization work to date, and he has our full support."

Jones continued, "We're excited to elevate Joe Christina to President and CEO. Joe's experience as a CEO at multiple restaurant concepts, combined with his leadership style and passion for operations excellence, will set Noodles up well for future success."

"I'm honored to lead Noodles & Company at such a pivotal moment," said Christina. "This is a standout brand with a unique, revitalized menu, strong culture, and tremendous runway for growth. I am grateful for the opportunity to have joined the Company under Drew's leadership and look forward to leading a laser-focus on operational excellence as well as enhancing our menu offerings, to unlock long-term value for our guests, team members, franchisees and shareholders."

Christina has an extensive background in QSR and fast-casual restaurant leadership, with expertise spanning operations, financial management, market development, marketing, human resources, and franchise leadership. He has a proven track record of driving revenue and EBITDA growth in competitive markets through focused strategic planning and disciplined execution. Christina began his career at Burger King, where he advanced over 29 years from restaurant manager to SVP of U.S. Franchise Operations for the West Division. He later served as EVP of U.S. Operations at Church's Chicken before becoming its CEO, President, and Board Member. Most recently, he served as CEO of Tijuana Flats, where his leadership helped the company navigate significant industry challenges, modernize its offerings, and expand its footprint.

**Earnings Conference Call and Release Rescheduled**

The Company will host a conference call to discuss its second quarter 2025 financial results on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. ET. Drew Madsen, Chief Executive Officer, Joe Christina, President and Chief Operating Officer, and Mike Hynes, Chief Financial Officer, will host the call. A press release with second quarter 2025 financial results will be issued after the market close that same day.

The Company had previously announced its plans to host a conference call on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. ET and issue a press release with second quarter 2025 financial results after the market close that same day.

The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing 201-389-0920. A replay will be available after the call and can be accessed by dialing 412-317-6671; the passcode is 13754231. The replay will be available until Wednesday, August 20, 2025.

The conference call will also be webcast live from the Company's corporate website at investor.noodles.com under the "Events & Presentations" page. An archive of the webcast will be available at the same location on the corporate website shortly after the call has concluded.

Investor Relations Contact: investorrelations@noodles.com

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Media Contact: press@noodles.com

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