Document and Entity Information Document	6 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information Document	Jul. 02, 2013	Aug. 09, 2013 Common Class A [Member]	Aug. 09, 2013 Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	NOODLES & Co
Entity Central Index Key	0001275158
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jul. 02, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		23,107,010	6,292,640

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 02, 2013	Jan. 01, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 618	$ 581
Accounts receivable	4,507	4,566
Inventories	6,569	6,042
Prepaid expenses and other assets	4,576	3,970
Income tax receivable	1,007	995
Total current assets	17,277	16,154
Property and equipment, net	149,894	136,287
Deferred tax assets, net	2,753	2,791
Other assets, net	1,763	1,763
Total long-term assets	154,410	140,841
Total assets	171,687	156,995
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	8,879	9,393
Accrued payroll and benefits	6,699	5,345
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	7,517	7,249
Current deferred tax liabilities	1,351	1,023
Current portion of long-term debt	0	750
Total current liabilities	24,446	23,760
Long-term debt	207	93,731
Deferred rent	25,447	23,013
Other long-term liabilities	2,351	2,483
Total liabilities	52,451	142,987
Temporary equity:
Common stock subject to put options—0 and 296,828 shares as of July 2, 2013 and January 1, 2013, respectively	0	3,601
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock—$0.01 par value, authorized 1,000,000 and 2,885,000 shares as of July 2, 2013 and January 1, 2013, respectively; no shares issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stock—$0.01 par value, authorized 180,000,000 and 34,043,001 shares as of July 2, 2013 and January 1, 2013, respectively; 29,399,650 and 23,238,984 issued and outstanding as of July 2, 2013 and January 1, 2013, respectively	294	232
Additional paid-in capital	114,307	7,585
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	0	(24)
Retained earnings	4,635	2,614
Total stockholders' equity	119,236	10,407
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 171,687	$ 156,995

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jul. 02, 2013	Jan. 01, 2013
Common stock subject to put options	0	296,828
Preferred stock, par value (USD per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	2,885,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (USD per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	180,000,000	34,043,001
Common stock, shares, issued	29,399,650	23,238,984
Common stock, shares, outstanding	29,399,650	23,238,984

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2013	Jul. 03, 2012	Jul. 02, 2013	Jul. 03, 2012
Revenue:
Restaurant revenue	$ 88,362	$ 74,757	$ 168,880	$ 143,955
Franchising royalties and fees	877	737	1,639	1,427
Total revenue	89,239	75,494	170,519	145,382
Restaurant operating costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below):
Cost of sales	23,096	19,947	44,397	38,177
Labor	26,289	22,184	51,119	42,937
Occupancy	8,595	7,265	16,954	14,201
Other restaurant operating costs	11,575	9,711	22,635	19,264
General and administrative	12,646	6,217	19,881	12,659
Depreciation and amortization	5,035	4,099	9,836	7,831
Pre-opening	769	590	1,690	1,171
Asset disposals, closure costs and restaurant impairments	297	282	498	462
Total costs and expenses	88,302	70,295	167,010	136,702
Income from operations	937	5,199	3,509	8,680
Interest expense	1,014	1,492	2,067	2,776
Income (loss) before income taxes	(77)	3,707	1,442	5,904
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(145)	1,527	450	2,433
Net income	$ 68	$ 2,180	$ 992	$ 3,471
Earnings per share of Class A and Class B common stock, combined:
Basic (USD per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.09	$ 0.04	$ 0.15
Diluted (USD per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.09	$ 0.04	$ 0.15
Weighted average shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding, combined:
Basic (in shares)	23,509,781	23,238,984	23,374,383	23,238,984
Diluted (in shares)	24,189,814	23,244,680	23,979,011	23,242,831

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Statement (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2013	Jul. 03, 2012	Jul. 02, 2013	Jul. 03, 2012
Net income	$ 68	$ 2,180	$ 992	$ 3,471
Cash flow hedges:
Loss recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income	0	0	0	(186)
Reclassification of loss to net income	0	104	39	208
Unrealized income on cash flow hedges	0	104	39	22
Provision for income tax on cash flow hedges	0	(31)	(15)	(62)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0	73	24	(40)
Comprehensive income	$ 68	$ 2,253	$ 1,016	$ 3,431

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2013	Jul. 03, 2012
Operating activities
Net income	$ 992	$ 3,471
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	9,836	7,831
Provision for deferred income taxes	366	0
Asset disposals, closure costs and restaurant impairments	498	462
Amortization of debt issuance costs	113	421
Stock-based compensation	3,933	606
Other noncash	(131)	(105)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable and income tax receivable	47	1,374
Inventories	(527)	(665)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(719)	(602)
Accounts payable	1,238	(444)
Deferred rent	2,434	1,118
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,646	(150)
Net cash provided by operating activities	19,726	13,317
Investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(25,652)	(18,930)
Net cash used in investing activities	(25,652)	(18,930)
Financing activities
Proceeds from issuances of notes payable	73,836	48,756
Payments on notes payable	(168,110)	(42,601)
Issuance of common stock, net of transaction expenses	100,237	(48)
Net cash provided by financing activities	5,963	6,107
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	37	494
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of year	581	523
End of year	$ 618	$ 1,017

Business and Summary and Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
Business and Summary and Basis of Presentation	Jul. 02, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Business and Summary and Basis of Presentation	Business and Summary and Basis of Presentation Business Noodles & Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company" or "Noodles & Company"), develops and operates fast casual restaurants that serve globally inspired noodle dishes and pasta dishes, soups, salads and sandwiches. As of July 2, 2013, there were 295 company-owned restaurants and 53 franchise restaurants in 26 states and the District of Columbia. The Company operates its business as one operating and reportable segment. On July 2, 2013, the Company completed an initial public offering ("IPO") of shares of Class A common stock at $18.00 per share. The Company issued 6,160,714 shares of Class A common stock, $0.01 par value, including 803,571 shares sold to the underwriters in the IPO pursuant to their over-allotment option. After underwriter discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, the Company received net proceeds from the offering of approximately $100.2 million. These proceeds were used to repay all but $0.2 million of outstanding debt under the Company's credit facility. The accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") for complete financial statements. In the opinion of the Company, all adjustments considered necessary for the fair presentation of the Company's results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented have been included and are of a normal, recurring nature. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the related notes for the year ended January 1, 2013 included in the Company's final prospectus filed June 28, 2013. Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Noodles & Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Fiscal Year The Company operates on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the Tuesday closest to December 31. Fiscal year 2013, which ends on December 31, 2013 and fiscal year 2012, which ended on January 1, 2013, each contains 52 weeks. Fiscal quarters each contain thirteen weeks, with the exception of the fourth quarter of a 53 week fiscal year, which contains fourteen weeks. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2013-02, "Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income," which revises disclosure requirements related to components of other comprehensive income. The Company adopted ASU 2013-02 effective January 2, 2013. The adoption concerns presentation and disclosure only and did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Supplemental Financial Information

6 Months Ended

Jul. 02, 2013

Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]

Supplemental Financial Information

Prepaid expenses and other assets consist of the following (in thousands):



	July 2, 2013		January 1, 2013
Prepaid occupancy related costs	$	2,875	$	2,700
Other prepaid expenses	1,643		1,191
Other current assets	58		79
	$	4,576	$	3,970

2. Supplemental Financial Information (Continued)

Property and equipment, net, consist of the following (in thousands):



	July 2, 2013			January 1, 2013
Leasehold improvements	$	153,991		$	139,907
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment	84,867			77,202
Construction in progress	7,867			7,878
	246,725			224,987
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(96,831		)	(88,700		)
	$	149,894		$	136,287

Accrued payroll and benefits consist of the following (in thousands):



	July 2, 2013		January 1, 2013
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	$	3,024	$	2,537
Accrued bonus	2,527		1,981
Insurance liabilities	1,148		827
	$	6,699	$	5,345

Accrued expense and other liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):



	July 2, 2013		January 1, 2013
Gift card liability	$	1,650	$	2,182
Occupancy related	1,188		1,264
Utilities	1,183		1,002
Other accrued expenses	3,496		2,801
	$	7,517	$	7,249

Borrowings	6 Months Ended
Borrowings	Jul. 02, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Borrowings	Borrowings The Company has a credit facility with a borrowing capacity of $120.0 million, consisting of a $75.0 million senior term loan and a $45.0 million revolving line of credit, expiring in July 2017. In connection with the IPO, the Company repaid in full its outstanding $75.0 million senior term loan and the majority of the revolving line of credit. The Company will continue to have access to the funds and the ability to borrow under the revolving line of credit; however, the amounts repaid on the senior term loan cannot be re-borrowed. As of July 2, 2013, the Company had $207,000 outstanding and $42.5 million available for borrowing under the credit facility. Outstanding letters of credit aggregating $2.3 million reduce the amount of borrowings available under the agreement. The credit facility bore interest from 3.5% to 5.5% for the second quarter of 2013 and the first two quarters of 2013. The Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants as of July 2, 2013.

Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements	Jul. 02, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and all other current liabilities approximate fair values due to the short maturities of these instruments. The carrying amounts of borrowings approximate fair value as interest rate on the the line of credit borrowings varies with market interest rates and negotiated terms and conditions are consistent with current market rates.

Income Taxes

6 Months Ended

Jul. 02, 2013

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

The following table presents the Company's provision for income taxes for the quarters ended July 2, 2013 and July 3, 2012 (dollars in thousands):



	July 2, 2013			July 3, 2012
Provision for income taxes	$	450		$	2,433
Effective tax rate	31.2		%	41.2		%

The 2013 estimated annual effective tax rate is expected to be 39.2% compared to 38.4% for the full year 2012. The effective tax rate for the first two quarters of 2013 includes the discrete adjustment for certain transaction costs related to the IPO.

Stock-Based Compensation	6 Months Ended
Stock-Based Compensation	Jul. 02, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation The Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated in May of 2013, authorizes the grant of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and incentive bonuses to employees, officers, non-employee directors and other service providers. The number of shares of common stock available for issuance pursuant to awards granted under the Stock Incentive Plan on or after the closing of the IPO shall not exceed 3,750,500. There were 538,273 and 168,195 stock options granted in the second quarters and first two quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively, and no options exercised in those periods. The weighted average fair market value of stock options granted in the second quarters of 2013 and 2012 was $5.81 and $1.21, respectively. The stock options granted in the second quarter of 2013 included 403,900 awards to two executive officers of which 50% vested at IPO and the remaining vest annually over four years on the anniversary of the grant in equal installments. In the second quarter of 2013, 9,261 stock options were forfeited. Stock-based compensation expense is included in general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of income. During the second quarters of 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded $3.6 million and $297,000, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense. During the first two quarters of 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded $3.9 million and $0.6 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense. Of the total stock-based compensation recognized in the second quarter of 2013, $2.0 million related to accelerated vesting of outstanding stock options at the IPO and $1.2 million of stock-based compensation related to stock options granted at the IPO to two executive officers of which 50% were vested at the time of grant. Stock-based compensation of $41,000 and $36,000 is included in capitalized internal costs in the first two quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Earnings Per Share

6 Months Ended

Jul. 02, 2013

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

EPS is calculated by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share ("diluted EPS") is calculated using income available to common shareholders divided by diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding during each period. Potentially dilutive securities include shares of common stock underlying stock options and restricted common stock. Diluted EPS considers the impact of potentially dilutive securities. The following table sets forth the computations of basic and dilutive earnings per share:



	Fiscal Quarter Ended				Two Fiscal Quarters Ended
	July 2, 2013		July 3, 2012		July 2, 2013		July 3, 2012
Net income (in thousands):	$	68	$	2,180	$	992	$	3,471
Shares:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	23,509,781		23,238,984		23,374,383		23,238,984
Dilutive stock options and warrants	680,033		5,696		604,628		3,847
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding	24,189,814		23,244,680		23,979,011		23,242,831
Earnings per share:
Basic EPS	$	—	$	0.09	$	0.04	$	0.15
Diluted EPS	$	—	$	0.09	$	0.04	$	0.15

7. Earnings Per Share (Continued)

In the second quarter of 2013 and 2012 and in the first two quarters of 2013 and 2012, 357,261 and 2,721,215 and 347,227 and 2,671,120 outstanding options, respectively, were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation because their inclusion would be antidilutive. All outstanding warrants are dilutive and were included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

Supplemental Disclosures to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

6 Months Ended

Jul. 02, 2013

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Supplemental Disclosures to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

The following table presents the supplemental disclosures to the consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands) for the first two quarters ended July 2, 2013 and July 3, 2012:



	July 2, 2013			July 3, 2012
Interest paid (net of amounts capitalized)	$	2,485		$	2,554
Income taxes paid	134			216
(Payments for) purchases of property and equipment accrued in accounts payable	(1,752		)	1,091

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Jul. 02, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to proceedings, lawsuits, and claims. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties, and outcomes are not predictable with assurance. Consequently, the Company is unable to ascertain the ultimate aggregate amount of monetary liability or financial impact with respect to these matters as of July 2, 2013. These matters could affect the operating results of any one financial reporting period when resolved in future periods. Management believes that an unfavorable outcome with respect to these matters is remote or a potential range of loss is not material to the Company's consolidated financial statements. Significant increases in the number of these claims, or one or more successful claims that result in greater liabilities than the Company currently anticipates, could materially and adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. The Company entered into employment agreements with two of its executives in connection with the IPO superseding the previous employment agreements with these executives. The agreements have an initial term of three years and automatically renew annually unless earlier terminated. Under each of the employment agreements, if the executive's employment is terminated by the Company without "cause" or by the executive with "good reason," (as such terms are defined in the applicable employment agreement) the executive is entitled to receive compensation equal to 18 months of the executive's then-current base salary, payable in equal installments over 18 months, a pro rata bonus for the year of termination and reimbursement of "COBRA" premiums for up to 18 months for the executive and his dependents. The severance payments are conditioned upon the executive entering into a mutual release of claims with the Company. The prior employment agreements with such executives which were superseded by the agreements entered into in connection with the IPO, included a call option in favor of the Company and a put option in favor of the executive, for the Company to purchase certain shares at fair market value if the employment agreement was terminated prior to a qualified initial public offering. The put option did not result in the executive avoiding the risks and rewards of owning the shares. The fair value of the shares of common stock subject to such put options was presented as temporary equity in the Company's consolidated financial statements. In connection with the IPO, the put options were terminated and amounts previously presented in temporary equity were reclassified to permanent stockholders' equity in the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Related-Party Transactions	6 Months Ended
Related-Party Transactions	Jul. 02, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related-Party Transactions	Related-Party Transactions In the first two quarters of 2013 and the first two quarters of 2012, the Company paid $375,000 and $625,000 respectively, to Catterton Partners and Argentia Private Investments Inc. or their affiliates ("Equity Sponsors") for management service fees and Class C Dividends pursuant to a management services agreement and an agreement to pay dividends on its Class C common stock. Management service fees and Class C dividends paid in prior fiscal quarters varies due to the timing of payments. In connection with the IPO, the management services agreement expired and the one share of Class C common stock was redeemed. In connection with the IPO during the second quarter of 2013, the Company paid $1.7 million of transaction bonuses and related payroll taxes to employees of the Company and $800,000 in transaction payments to the Equity Sponsors.

Business and Summary and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Noodles & Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Fiscal Year	Fiscal Year The Company operates on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the Tuesday closest to December 31. Fiscal year 2013, which ends on December 31, 2013 and fiscal year 2012, which ended on January 1, 2013, each contains 52 weeks. Fiscal quarters each contain thirteen weeks, with the exception of the fourth quarter of a 53 week fiscal year, which contains fourteen weeks.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2013-02, "Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income," which revises disclosure requirements related to components of other comprehensive income. The Company adopted ASU 2013-02 effective January 2, 2013. The adoption concerns presentation and disclosure only and did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Supplemental Financial Information (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jul. 02, 2013

Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]

Schedule of Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets

Prepaid expenses and other assets consist of the following (in thousands):



	July 2, 2013		January 1, 2013
Prepaid occupancy related costs	$	2,875	$	2,700
Other prepaid expenses	1,643		1,191
Other current assets	58		79
	$	4,576	$	3,970

Schedule of Property and Equipment

Property and equipment, net, consist of the following (in thousands):



	July 2, 2013			January 1, 2013
Leasehold improvements	$	153,991		$	139,907
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment	84,867			77,202
Construction in progress	7,867			7,878
	246,725			224,987
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(96,831		)	(88,700		)
	$	149,894		$	136,287

Schedule of Accrued Liabilities and Other Liabilities

Accrued payroll and benefits consist of the following (in thousands):



	July 2, 2013		January 1, 2013
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	$	3,024	$	2,537
Accrued bonus	2,527		1,981
Insurance liabilities	1,148		827
	$	6,699	$	5,345

Accrued expense and other liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):



	July 2, 2013		January 1, 2013
Gift card liability	$	1,650	$	2,182
Occupancy related	1,188		1,264
Utilities	1,183		1,002
Other accrued expenses	3,496		2,801
	$	7,517	$	7,249

Income Taxes (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jul. 02, 2013

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Provision for Income Taxes

The following table presents the Company's provision for income taxes for the quarters ended July 2, 2013 and July 3, 2012 (dollars in thousands):



	July 2, 2013			July 3, 2012
Provision for income taxes	$	450		$	2,433
Effective tax rate	31.2		%	41.2		%

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jul. 02, 2013

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computations of basic and dilutive earnings per share:



	Fiscal Quarter Ended				Two Fiscal Quarters Ended
	July 2, 2013		July 3, 2012		July 2, 2013		July 3, 2012
Net income (in thousands):	$	68	$	2,180	$	992	$	3,471
Shares:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	23,509,781		23,238,984		23,374,383		23,238,984
Dilutive stock options and warrants	680,033		5,696		604,628		3,847
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding	24,189,814		23,244,680		23,979,011		23,242,831
Earnings per share:
Basic EPS	$	—	$	0.09	$	0.04	$	0.15
Diluted EPS	$	—	$	0.09	$	0.04	$	0.15

Supplemental Disclosures to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jul. 02, 2013

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures

The following table presents the supplemental disclosures to the consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands) for the first two quarters ended July 2, 2013 and July 3, 2012:



	July 2, 2013			July 3, 2012
Interest paid (net of amounts capitalized)	$	2,485		$	2,554
Income taxes paid	134			216
(Payments for) purchases of property and equipment accrued in accounts payable	(1,752		)	1,091

Business and Summary and Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			6 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2013 segment state	Jul. 03, 2012	Jan. 01, 2013	Jul. 02, 2013 Company-Owned [Member] restaurant	Jul. 02, 2013 Franchise [Member] restaurant	Jul. 02, 2013 IPO [Member]	Jul. 02, 2013 Common Class A [Member] IPO [Member]
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of restaurants				295	53
Number of states in which Noodles & Company operates	26
Number of operating segments	1
Number of reportable segments	1
Share price (USD per share)							$ 18.00
Shares issued							6,160,714
Common stock, par value (USD per share)	$ 0.01		$ 0.01				$ 0.01
Shares sold to underwriters						803,571
Proceeds from IPO	$ 100,237	$ (48)				$ 100,200
Amount outstanding	$ 207
Number of weeks in fiscal year	364 days		364 days

Supplemental Financial Information (Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 02, 2013	Jan. 01, 2013
Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]
Prepaid occupancy related costs	$ 2,875	$ 2,700
Other prepaid expenses	1,643	1,191
Other current assets	58	79
Prepaid expenses and other assets	$ 4,576	$ 3,970

Supplemental Financial Information (Property and Equipment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 02, 2013	Jan. 01, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 246,725	$ 224,987
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(96,831)	(88,700)
Property and equipment, net	149,894	136,287
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	153,991	139,907
Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	84,867	77,202
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 7,867	$ 7,878

Supplemental Financial Information (Accrued Payroll and Benefits) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 02, 2013	Jan. 01, 2013
Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	$ 3,024	$ 2,537
Accrued bonus	2,527	1,981
Insurance liabilities	1,148	827
Accrued payroll and benefits	$ 6,699	$ 5,345

Supplemental Financial Information (Accrued Expense and Other Liabilities) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 02, 2013	Jan. 01, 2013
Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]
Gift card liability	$ 1,650	$ 2,182
Occupancy related	1,188	1,264
Utilities	1,183	1,002
Other accrued expenses	3,496	2,801
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$ 7,517	$ 7,249

Borrowings (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Borrowings (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 02, 2013
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 120,000,000.0
Amount outstanding	207,000
Remaining borrowing capacity	42,500,000
Letters of credit outstanding	2,300,000
Revolving Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	45,000,000.0
Senior Term Loan [Member] \| IPO [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 75,000,000.0
Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.50%
Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.50%

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2013	Jul. 03, 2012	Jul. 02, 2013	Jul. 03, 2012	Jan. 01, 2013
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$ (145)	$ 1,527	$ 450	$ 2,433
Effective tax rate			31.20%	41.20%	38.40%
Minimum [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Estimated effective tax rate	39.20%		39.20%

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended							6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2013	Jul. 03, 2012	Jul. 02, 2013 General and Administrative Expense [Member]	Jul. 03, 2012 General and Administrative Expense [Member]	Jul. 02, 2013 Executive Officer [Member] officer	Jul. 02, 2013 IPO [Member]	May 31, 2013 IPO [Member]	Jul. 02, 2013 IPO [Member] Accelerated Vesting of Outstanding Stock Options [Member]	Jul. 02, 2013 IPO [Member] Stock Options Granted [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Maximum shares reserved for issuance							3,750,500
Options granted	538,273	168,195			403,900
Options exercised	0	0
Weighted average fair value of options granted (USD per share)	$ 5.81	$ 1.21
Number of officers granted awards					2
Vesting percentage						50.00%
Vesting period	4 years
Options forfeited	9,261
Share-based compensation expense	$ 3,900	$ 600	$ 3,600	$ 297				$ 2,000	$ 1,200
Stock-based compensation, capitalized amount	$ 41	$ 36

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2013	Jul. 03, 2012	Jul. 02, 2013	Jul. 03, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$ 68	$ 2,180	$ 992	$ 3,471
Shares:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	23,509,781	23,238,984	23,374,383	23,238,984
Dilutive stock options and warrants (in shares)	680,033	5,696	604,628	3,847
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	24,189,814	23,244,680	23,979,011	23,242,831
Earnings per share:
Basic EPS (USD per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.09	$ 0.04	$ 0.15
Diluted EPS (USD per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.09	$ 0.04	$ 0.15
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	357,261	2,721,215	347,227	2,671,120

Supplemental Disclosures to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2013	Jul. 03, 2012
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Interest paid (net of amounts capitalized)	$ 2,485	$ 2,554
Income taxes paid	134	216
(Payments for) purchases of property and equipment accrued in accounts payable	$ (1,752)	$ 1,091

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (Executives [Member])	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2013 officer
Executives [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Employment agreement, number of executives	2
Employment agreement, initial term	3 years
Employment agreement, severance pay, number of equivalent months	18 months
Employment agreement, period for equal installments	18 months
Employment agreement, cancelation notice period	18 months

Related-Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Related-Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 02, 2013	Jul. 03, 2012
Management Services Fees [Member] \| Equity Sponsors [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amount paid to related party	$ 375,000	$ 375,000,000
Dividend Paid [Member] \| Class C Common Stock [Member] \| Equity Sponsors [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amount paid to related party	625,000	625,000
IPO [Member] \| Bonuses and Payroll Taxes [Member] \| Equity Sponsors [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amount paid to related party	800,000
IPO [Member] \| Bonuses and Payroll Taxes [Member] \| Employees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amount paid to related party	$ 1,700,000

Subsequent Events (Notes)	6 Months Ended
Subsequent Events (Notes)	Jul. 02, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events The Company has evaluated subsequent events and found there to be no events requiring recognition or disclosure through the date of issuance of this report.