Investor Relations

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Sept. 30, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Noodles & Company (Nasdaq:NDLS), serving classic noodle and pasta dishes from its globally inspired World Kitchen, today announced the launch of its new Kids Meal menu, created for the future foodies of the world. Children age ten and under are invited to design their own meal made fresh-to-order, with quality ingredients, by choosing their entrée, two sides and a drink.

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In addition to creating a menu tailored to younger food lovers, Noodles & Company is also launching a platform for kids to help other kids. For every Kids Meal purchased between September 30, 2015 and September 29, 2016, Noodles & Company will donate $.05 to No Kid Hungry, up to $100,000. With each $1 donated helping to connect a child with ten healthy meals, the Company is striving to provide 1 million meals to kids who need them.*

"Beyond creating a menu tailored to our younger food lovers, we are excited to also announce our partnership with No Kid Hungry, encouraging kids to help other kids in their communities. Together, we will strive to provide 1 million meals to children who need them the most," explained Mark Mears, EVP & CMO of Noodles & Company. "We hope this new Kids Meal menu will not only nourish kids' bodies, but also help bring the family closer together while inspiring kids to make a difference."

Children are welcome to design their meal, any way they want. The Kids Meal menu includes Wisconsin Mac & Cheese, Spaghetti & Meatballs, Buttered Noodles and Grilled Chicken with Marinara Dipping Sauce and sides, such as broccoli, carrots, fruit or applesauce. Noodles & Company also partnered with the National Restaurant Association's Kids LiveWell program to provide flavorful options verified by Healthy Dining's nutrition experts. Future foodies can add protein or veggies to any dish for the regular protein/veggie add-on price. They also have the option of substituting gluten free pasta, free of charge.

To further inspire kids while they fuel up, Noodles & Company will challenge young guests with a thought-provoking and highly interactive placemat the whole family can work on while enjoying their dishes. Founded upon the principles of S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics), this interactive placemat will feature a variety of brain teasers, puzzles, games, fun facts - as well as a link to videos highlighting the achievements of kids from around the world who have used these principles to invent, innovate or inspire positive change.

"We know that today's kids represent tomorrow's future and face a more complex set of challenges than at any point in history. Therefore, our goal at Noodles & Company is to empower kids to 'Use Your Noodle / Make A Difference' in ways that help make their communities -- and indeed our world a better place - one bowl at a time," says Mears.

For more information on the new Kids Meal menu and Noodles & Company, please visit www.noodles.com or check us out on Facebook and Twitter.

About Noodles & Company

Noodles & Company is a fast-casual restaurant chain where its globally inspired dishes come together to create a World Kitchen. Recognized by Parents Magazine as a Top Family Friendly Restaurant, and Health Magazine as one of America's Healthiest Fast Food Restaurants, Noodles & Company is a restaurant where Japanese Pan Noodles rest comfortably next to Penne Rosa and Wisconsin Mac & Cheese, but where world flavors don't end at just noodles. Inspired by some of the world's most celebrated flavor combinations, Noodle & Company's menu offers appetizers, soups, salads and sandwiches, too. Everything is made fresh to order, just as you like it, using quality ingredients. Dishes are delivered to the table allowing guests time to sit and relax or grab a quick bite. With more than 470 locations nationwide, from California to Connecticut, guests can find a location nearest them and take a tour of the global menu by visiting www.noodles.com.

*For more information please visit NoKidHungry.org/onedollar.

CONTACT: Media Contact

         Erin Murphy

         press@noodles.com

         720.214.1971