American consumers increasingly insist the companies they support reflect their own positive, life-affirming values – which is where Noodles & Company (NDLS, Financial) excels.
The national fast-casual brand serving globally-inspired noodle dishes made fresh to order paid it forward in a big way this National Day of Giving by investing in its team members.
The 450-unit chain recently committed to donating $1 from every order placed by a Noodles Rewards member via the Noodles Rewards App or Noodles.com to the Noodles Foundation. In return, as a small gesture of thanks, members received a free regular fountain drink reward to use on their next visit,
"Our team members are at the center of everything we do," Sue Petersen, executive vice president of inclusion, diversity, and people at Noodles & Company, said in advance of the event. "That's why on National Day of Giving, we are directly uplifting our team members with this give-back initiative. One of our core values is We Care, and we are committed to supporting our team members through times of need, and with National Day of Giving, we will be able to further positively impact our team members."
Founded in 2014, the Noodles & Company Foundation's mission is to be there for its team members in sudden times of crisis. Since its inception, the foundation has provided nearly $350,000 to over 900 team members in need. The foundation is primarily funded by team member donations to help support their fellow Noodlers. As an extension of the foundation, the Noodles Scholarship Fund has provided more than $450,000 in education scholarships to 150 team members and their families to further their educational goals.
Funds from the National Day of Giving campaign are directly reinvested back into the foundation and scholarship fund to further this mission and create a meaningful impact for Noodles & Company team members.
Colorado-based Noodles has always put its money where its mouth is. It was recently named one of America's Best Employers for Diversity Award 2021 by Forbes, and has been named one of the Best Places to Work by the Denver Business Journal for its unique culture built on the value of "Loving Life," which the company says “begins by nourishing and inspiring every team member and guest who walks through the door.” Noodles has also earned the Women in the Lead Certification for its investment in women-empowering initiatives for its female team members, and was recognized as one of The Best Employers for Women by Forbes in 2021.
The management team has also partnered with the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance to build cultural intelligence within its teams as well as Out & Equal to support a more inclusive work environment.
On Oct. 28, the company released its first impact report, highlighting milestones and enhancements the brand has made across people, food, planet and community.
"Transparency matters in how we conduct business, and we believe that transparency coupled with action is the best way to foster a sustainable world for future generations," CEO Dave Boennighausen said. "This impact report is a strong testament to the progress we've made in building a better world through our operations."
Women now comprise 56% of the Noodles' operations team and 50% of its executive team. During a time when the labor crisis continues to pressure businesses, the company has maintained lower-than-industry-average turnover rates and increased general manager tenure across its locations nationwide.
