📊 NDLS Key Takeaways
Is NDLS a Good Investment? Thesis Analysis
Noodles & Co faces critical financial distress with negative shareholders equity (-$45.3M), severely strained liquidity (0.31x current ratio with $1.3M cash), and unprofitable operations generating -8.6% net margin. Negative free cash flow, flat revenue growth (0.4% YoY), declining earnings (-17.5% YoY), and high debt leverage ($108.8M) create an unsustainable trajectory with minimal financial cushion.
Why Buy NDLS? Key Strengths
- Positive operating cash flow of $7.3M demonstrates ability to generate cash from core operations despite accounting losses
- Established revenue base of $495.1M indicates maintained market presence and operational infrastructure
- Current financial data (December 2025) reflects recent performance with 25 available metrics
NDLS Investment Risks to Consider
- Negative stockholders equity of -$45.3M indicates technical insolvency with liabilities ($307M) exceeding total assets ($261.7M)
- Critical liquidity crisis: 0.31x current ratio with only $1.3M cash reserves insufficient for operational needs
- Persistent unprofitability: -6.4% operating margin, -8.6% net margin, with negative free cash flow of -$5.1M
- Stalled growth: 0.4% YoY revenue growth with declining net income (-17.5% YoY) indicates deteriorating business trajectory
- Debt burden unsustainable: $108.8M long-term debt with negative interest coverage ratio (-5.2x) cannot be serviced from operations
Key Metrics to Watch
- Monthly cash burn rate and liquidity runway before potential covenant breach or default
- Operating cash flow stability and sustainability through operational improvements
- Revenue trend inflection point and unit-level economics by location
- Debt restructuring announcements and refinancing activities
NDLS Financial Metrics
💡 AI Analyst Insight
The current ratio below 1.0x warrants monitoring of short-term liquidity.
NDLS Profitability Ratios
NDLS vs Consumer Sector
How NOODLES & Co compares to Consumer sector averages
Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.
Is NDLS Overvalued or Undervalued?
Based on fundamental analysis, NOODLES & Co has mixed fundamental signals relative to the Consumer sector in 2026.
Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.
NDLS Balance Sheet & Liquidity
NDLS 5-Year Financial Trend & Growth Analysis
5-Year Trend Summary: NOODLES & Co's revenue has shown modest growth of 9% over the 5-year period. The most recent EPS of $-1.72 indicates the company is currently unprofitable.
NDLS Growth Metrics (YoY)
NDLS Quarterly Performance
| Quarter | Revenue | Net Income | EPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2025 | $122.1M | -$6.8M | $-0.15 |
| Q2 2025 | $126.4M | -$13.6M | $-0.30 |
| Q1 2025 | $121.4M | -$6.1M | $-0.14 |
| Q3 2024 | $122.8M | $700.0K | $0.02 |
| Q2 2024 | $125.2M | -$1.3M | $-0.03 |
| Q1 2024 | $121.4M | -$3.1M | $-0.07 |
| Q3 2023 | $127.9M | $700.0K | $0.02 |
| Q2 2023 | $125.2M | -$1.3M | $0.03 |
Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.
NDLS Capital Allocation
NDLS SEC 10-K & 10-Q Filing Analysis
Access official SEC EDGAR filings for NOODLES & Co (CIK: 0001275158)
📋 Recent SEC Filings
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about NDLS
What is the AI rating for NDLS?
NOODLES & Co (NDLS) has an AI rating of STRONG SELL with 90% confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.
What are NDLS's key strengths?
Claude: Positive operating cash flow of $7.3M demonstrates ability to generate cash from core operations despite accounting losses. Established revenue base of $495.1M indicates maintained market presence and operational infrastructure.
What are the risks of investing in NDLS?
Claude: Negative stockholders equity of -$45.3M indicates technical insolvency with liabilities ($307M) exceeding total assets ($261.7M). Critical liquidity crisis: 0.31x current ratio with only $1.3M cash reserves insufficient for operational needs.
What is NDLS's revenue and growth?
NOODLES & Co reported revenue of $495.1M.
Does NDLS pay dividends?
NOODLES & Co does not currently pay dividends.
Where can I find NDLS SEC filings?
Official SEC filings for NOODLES & Co (CIK: 0001275158) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.
What is NDLS's EPS?
NOODLES & Co has a diluted EPS of $-7.36.
How is the AI analysis conducted?
Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined rating reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.
Is NDLS a good stock to buy right now?
Based on our AI fundamental analysis in April 2026, NOODLES & Co has a STRONG SELL rating with 90% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above before making a decision. This is not investment advice.
Is NDLS stock overvalued or undervalued?
Valuation metrics for NDLS: ROE of N/A (sector avg: 18%), net margin of -8.6% (sector avg: 8%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.
Should I buy NDLS stock in 2026?
Our dual AI analysis gives NOODLES & Co a combined STRONG SELL rating for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability at or below sector average. Always conduct your own research.
What is NDLS's free cash flow?
NOODLES & Co's operating cash flow is $7.3M, with capital expenditures of $12.4M. FCF margin is -1.0%.
How does NDLS compare to other Consumer stocks?
Vs Consumer sector averages: Net margin -8.6% (avg: 8%), ROE N/A (avg: 18%), current ratio 0.31 (avg: 1.5).