<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2026 Workiva-->
<!--r:0097a8d8-a9bb-405a-9015-1e36db74fd83,g:107a5060-6669-43a7-ba90-44898a6dea72-->
<link:linkbase xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofOperations" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsofOperations"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofOperations" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fa484ccd-05c3-477c-b2ce-0be05c24c4d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_892dc662-a050-42e2-a5b1-73ca10b99cd9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fa484ccd-05c3-477c-b2ce-0be05c24c4d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_892dc662-a050-42e2-a5b1-73ca10b99cd9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_53ee3651-817d-46dc-8d4a-040d5acdc1ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_892dc662-a050-42e2-a5b1-73ca10b99cd9" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_53ee3651-817d-46dc-8d4a-040d5acdc1ad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_53ee3651-817d-46dc-8d4a-040d5acdc1ad_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_53ee3651-817d-46dc-8d4a-040d5acdc1ad" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_53ee3651-817d-46dc-8d4a-040d5acdc1ad_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2173332f-b38c-4deb-8592-0860f312435a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_53ee3651-817d-46dc-8d4a-040d5acdc1ad" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2173332f-b38c-4deb-8592-0860f312435a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FoodAndBeverageMember_b23b421a-7ad0-495c-a520-ad71e544d13f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FoodAndBeverageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2173332f-b38c-4deb-8592-0860f312435a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FoodAndBeverageMember_b23b421a-7ad0-495c-a520-ad71e544d13f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FranchiseMember_96258690-af33-445f-88aa-098d90bea247" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FranchiseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2173332f-b38c-4deb-8592-0860f312435a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FranchiseMember_96258690-af33-445f-88aa-098d90bea247" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_LaborMember_0f9be607-ff05-4da5-bdff-065989ced1a6" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_LaborMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2173332f-b38c-4deb-8592-0860f312435a" xlink:to="loc_ndls_LaborMember_0f9be607-ff05-4da5-bdff-065989ced1a6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_RestaurantOccupancyMember_ef4f725e-c53d-4294-b85f-dfa687d9d2f0" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_RestaurantOccupancyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2173332f-b38c-4deb-8592-0860f312435a" xlink:to="loc_ndls_RestaurantOccupancyMember_ef4f725e-c53d-4294-b85f-dfa687d9d2f0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_a7c5a736-412a-466e-9999-68e8090a9377" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fa484ccd-05c3-477c-b2ce-0be05c24c4d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_a7c5a736-412a-466e-9999-68e8090a9377" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_94cb1f55-9aeb-46e5-8432-0ba81a6614bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_a7c5a736-412a-466e-9999-68e8090a9377" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_94cb1f55-9aeb-46e5-8432-0ba81a6614bb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_e045f810-f1fd-42ad-8670-f167cd93df1a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fa484ccd-05c3-477c-b2ce-0be05c24c4d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_e045f810-f1fd-42ad-8670-f167cd93df1a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_95b35cb6-dcc6-449d-97ac-98f5eff74f91" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_e045f810-f1fd-42ad-8670-f167cd93df1a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_95b35cb6-dcc6-449d-97ac-98f5eff74f91" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServiceExcludingDepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_7b8d7c7e-38a4-493d-9541-c67c6e07d2f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServiceExcludingDepreciationDepletionAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_95b35cb6-dcc6-449d-97ac-98f5eff74f91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServiceExcludingDepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_7b8d7c7e-38a4-493d-9541-c67c6e07d2f4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostOfOperatingRevenue_01e1549d-c07b-4969-9048-2af94f9e591f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCostOfOperatingRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_95b35cb6-dcc6-449d-97ac-98f5eff74f91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostOfOperatingRevenue_01e1549d-c07b-4969-9048-2af94f9e591f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_e74082a2-39ec-44c1-9ce2-36d18adf3a60" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_e045f810-f1fd-42ad-8670-f167cd93df1a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_e74082a2-39ec-44c1-9ce2-36d18adf3a60" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_5c1640f6-0b02-45be-af61-d327f30be016" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_e045f810-f1fd-42ad-8670-f167cd93df1a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_5c1640f6-0b02-45be-af61-d327f30be016" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreOpeningCosts_3d84996c-bf5b-453b-982a-38e9afc9eea9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PreOpeningCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_e045f810-f1fd-42ad-8670-f167cd93df1a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreOpeningCosts_3d84996c-bf5b-453b-982a-38e9afc9eea9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_AssetDisposalsClosureCostsandRestaurantImpairments_3bfa27e6-bc38-4da3-b724-49eea45bbe1d" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_AssetDisposalsClosureCostsandRestaurantImpairments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_e045f810-f1fd-42ad-8670-f167cd93df1a" xlink:to="loc_ndls_AssetDisposalsClosureCostsandRestaurantImpairments_3bfa27e6-bc38-4da3-b724-49eea45bbe1d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_65d64958-ec7f-45e4-91a6-6d09a08ce9d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_e045f810-f1fd-42ad-8670-f167cd93df1a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_65d64958-ec7f-45e4-91a6-6d09a08ce9d9" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_de905baa-5f35-4c14-9992-173eeaa43595" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fa484ccd-05c3-477c-b2ce-0be05c24c4d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_de905baa-5f35-4c14-9992-173eeaa43595" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_8352d652-ed91-4175-8236-104ad9abfac5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fa484ccd-05c3-477c-b2ce-0be05c24c4d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_8352d652-ed91-4175-8236-104ad9abfac5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_302218ce-a63b-4bc1-ac7f-ffc390985f6f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fa484ccd-05c3-477c-b2ce-0be05c24c4d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_302218ce-a63b-4bc1-ac7f-ffc390985f6f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_6df13cee-0fdc-4c10-a920-0a05be882d1b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fa484ccd-05c3-477c-b2ce-0be05c24c4d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_6df13cee-0fdc-4c10-a920-0a05be882d1b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_2f52a7c8-8651-477a-9bdd-84cddfc8ca9d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fa484ccd-05c3-477c-b2ce-0be05c24c4d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_2f52a7c8-8651-477a-9bdd-84cddfc8ca9d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_dc458622-0ee6-4588-bb06-e432a9a6ce58" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fa484ccd-05c3-477c-b2ce-0be05c24c4d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_dc458622-0ee6-4588-bb06-e432a9a6ce58" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_873bcbf2-0478-438b-a76c-ade76f20a144" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_dc458622-0ee6-4588-bb06-e432a9a6ce58" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_873bcbf2-0478-438b-a76c-ade76f20a144" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_af5ffc3d-9a7a-49e7-a145-6f3974273e2d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_dc458622-0ee6-4588-bb06-e432a9a6ce58" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_af5ffc3d-9a7a-49e7-a145-6f3974273e2d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_93f3601c-642a-4cb3-92f1-89d91d0d5ca9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fa484ccd-05c3-477c-b2ce-0be05c24c4d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_93f3601c-642a-4cb3-92f1-89d91d0d5ca9" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_372801a3-8c1b-4641-9a22-543e77b9216e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_93f3601c-642a-4cb3-92f1-89d91d0d5ca9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_372801a3-8c1b-4641-9a22-543e77b9216e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_b4bf910c-e227-4105-bff5-010190108484" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_93f3601c-642a-4cb3-92f1-89d91d0d5ca9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_b4bf910c-e227-4105-bff5-010190108484" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_bcbbebdb-2c3c-4e72-b9f3-1da06653b849" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_687484e5-d756-41cc-891a-b3ff5de835b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_bcbbebdb-2c3c-4e72-b9f3-1da06653b849" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_687484e5-d756-41cc-891a-b3ff5de835b6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_592ddf59-bb2b-4702-9eec-c6c942a57615" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_687484e5-d756-41cc-891a-b3ff5de835b6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_592ddf59-bb2b-4702-9eec-c6c942a57615" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_592ddf59-bb2b-4702-9eec-c6c942a57615_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_592ddf59-bb2b-4702-9eec-c6c942a57615" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_592ddf59-bb2b-4702-9eec-c6c942a57615_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0296fb40-edfd-432b-9944-03fdc1635865" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_592ddf59-bb2b-4702-9eec-c6c942a57615" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0296fb40-edfd-432b-9944-03fdc1635865" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_03d0dd2e-4086-4a08-9116-5ca68345481c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0296fb40-edfd-432b-9944-03fdc1635865" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_03d0dd2e-4086-4a08-9116-5ca68345481c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember_d3e45bbc-996b-48d5-b50f-767c7919f8d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0296fb40-edfd-432b-9944-03fdc1635865" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember_d3e45bbc-996b-48d5-b50f-767c7919f8d5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_70560d18-b7ef-4596-b089-b0188ac15352" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0296fb40-edfd-432b-9944-03fdc1635865" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_70560d18-b7ef-4596-b089-b0188ac15352" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_cded125e-5b23-4b9e-af19-88ce48578b99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0296fb40-edfd-432b-9944-03fdc1635865" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_cded125e-5b23-4b9e-af19-88ce48578b99" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_40c84dd1-666e-4217-acd6-198fb87440a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_bcbbebdb-2c3c-4e72-b9f3-1da06653b849" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_40c84dd1-666e-4217-acd6-198fb87440a2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_2c550d3d-e7c1-45c5-87a8-0b208c8e85db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_40c84dd1-666e-4217-acd6-198fb87440a2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_2c550d3d-e7c1-45c5-87a8-0b208c8e85db" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_019d01df-f750-7e0c-9f7e-bead92db7dde" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_40c84dd1-666e-4217-acd6-198fb87440a2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_019d01df-f750-7e0c-9f7e-bead92db7dde" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_2f1ad01e-4535-48ad-93e9-da518ef8c0b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_40c84dd1-666e-4217-acd6-198fb87440a2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_2f1ad01e-4535-48ad-93e9-da518ef8c0b8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockPlanTransactionsAndOther_5570cd41-c115-4a89-983d-795e5d33b45a" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockPlanTransactionsAndOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_40c84dd1-666e-4217-acd6-198fb87440a2" xlink:to="loc_ndls_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockPlanTransactionsAndOther_5570cd41-c115-4a89-983d-795e5d33b45a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueIncreaseDecreaseStockPlanTransactionsAndOther_bb811bdc-d72e-4190-bbe4-621319220ac6" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueIncreaseDecreaseStockPlanTransactionsAndOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_40c84dd1-666e-4217-acd6-198fb87440a2" xlink:to="loc_ndls_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueIncreaseDecreaseStockPlanTransactionsAndOther_bb811bdc-d72e-4190-bbe4-621319220ac6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_10355752-7deb-4d86-86a6-28b69b8253f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_40c84dd1-666e-4217-acd6-198fb87440a2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_10355752-7deb-4d86-86a6-28b69b8253f6" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_a1ae35d2-3f8c-4438-864d-b1d397988b27" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_40c84dd1-666e-4217-acd6-198fb87440a2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_a1ae35d2-3f8c-4438-864d-b1d397988b27" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalShareBasedCompensationStockOptionsRequisiteServicePeriodRecognition_b967a88b-38f2-4e26-9189-3b813286bf39" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalShareBasedCompensationStockOptionsRequisiteServicePeriodRecognition"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_40c84dd1-666e-4217-acd6-198fb87440a2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalShareBasedCompensationStockOptionsRequisiteServicePeriodRecognition_b967a88b-38f2-4e26-9189-3b813286bf39" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_682131dd-79c6-4aa8-9203-4151222307de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_40c84dd1-666e-4217-acd6-198fb87440a2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_682131dd-79c6-4aa8-9203-4151222307de" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_4313b82f-2ffd-460b-b0f4-b85e9809f34d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_2d21be2f-cf42-4380-a8cb-d365e1986e39" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_019d01e2-0d8d-772e-8136-498a366e3073" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/BusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesBusinessDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#BusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesBusinessDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/BusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesBusinessDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_OrganizationLineItems_47c74b23-529d-46ab-bc77-88fcdbf7904f" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_OrganizationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_OrganizationTable_8bce1b9d-5de3-488e-8c15-68391206923b" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_OrganizationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_ndls_OrganizationLineItems_47c74b23-529d-46ab-bc77-88fcdbf7904f" xlink:to="loc_ndls_OrganizationTable_8bce1b9d-5de3-488e-8c15-68391206923b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureAxis_5d0e79c7-94f1-42ee-ab96-243bf57487fc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_ndls_OrganizationTable_8bce1b9d-5de3-488e-8c15-68391206923b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureAxis_5d0e79c7-94f1-42ee-ab96-243bf57487fc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureDomain_5d0e79c7-94f1-42ee-ab96-243bf57487fc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureAxis_5d0e79c7-94f1-42ee-ab96-243bf57487fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureDomain_5d0e79c7-94f1-42ee-ab96-243bf57487fc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureDomain_bf2702c2-504a-4933-b119-3c4b4ee65e2d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureAxis_5d0e79c7-94f1-42ee-ab96-243bf57487fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureDomain_bf2702c2-504a-4933-b119-3c4b4ee65e2d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EntityOperatedUnitsMember_d6e64a41-69c8-4f9d-81bb-61dedc91ce0d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EntityOperatedUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureDomain_bf2702c2-504a-4933-b119-3c4b4ee65e2d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EntityOperatedUnitsMember_d6e64a41-69c8-4f9d-81bb-61dedc91ce0d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FranchisedUnitsMember_b575e14f-8943-4835-bb40-a84bf79e4ea7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FranchisedUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureDomain_bf2702c2-504a-4933-b119-3c4b4ee65e2d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FranchisedUnitsMember_b575e14f-8943-4835-bb40-a84bf79e4ea7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRestaurants_91b34b90-36c3-4203-8f82-6e3de9d2c461" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfRestaurants"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ndls_OrganizationLineItems_47c74b23-529d-46ab-bc77-88fcdbf7904f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRestaurants_91b34b90-36c3-4203-8f82-6e3de9d2c461" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfStatesInWhichEntityOperates_0c8e563a-a060-4b45-a699-3860601ec923" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfStatesInWhichEntityOperates"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ndls_OrganizationLineItems_47c74b23-529d-46ab-bc77-88fcdbf7904f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfStatesInWhichEntityOperates_0c8e563a-a060-4b45-a699-3860601ec923" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_de0f67cf-9dee-4fce-af36-3bca2974a6f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ndls_OrganizationLineItems_47c74b23-529d-46ab-bc77-88fcdbf7904f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_de0f67cf-9dee-4fce-af36-3bca2974a6f8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_2550e85a-1b81-4884-a861-c509dbae64ba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ndls_OrganizationLineItems_47c74b23-529d-46ab-bc77-88fcdbf7904f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_2550e85a-1b81-4884-a861-c509dbae64ba" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/BusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesReverseStockSplitDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#BusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesReverseStockSplitDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/BusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesReverseStockSplitDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019d21a1-0394-7f3e-8e29-dee2654035bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019d219f-f492-7ddc-8913-449831cb1e46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019d21a1-0394-7f3e-8e29-dee2654035bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019d219f-f492-7ddc-8913-449831cb1e46" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019d21a0-5510-7f22-a312-cc04fe60e497" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019d219f-f492-7ddc-8913-449831cb1e46" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019d21a0-5510-7f22-a312-cc04fe60e497" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019d21a0-5510-7f22-a312-cc04fe60e497_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019d21a0-5510-7f22-a312-cc04fe60e497" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019d21a0-5510-7f22-a312-cc04fe60e497_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019d21a0-a3a5-795a-be51-03f22c700b18" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019d21a0-5510-7f22-a312-cc04fe60e497" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019d21a0-a3a5-795a-be51-03f22c700b18" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019d21a0-c9dd-78aa-b979-a7a655f526d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019d21a0-a3a5-795a-be51-03f22c700b18" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019d21a0-c9dd-78aa-b979-a7a655f526d9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1_019d21a7-6a1a-7b99-acb6-0eed7aecf1dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019d21a1-0394-7f3e-8e29-dee2654035bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1_019d21a7-6a1a-7b99-acb6-0eed7aecf1dd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019d21a1-39bf-7769-8e44-f83e49c9390f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019d21a1-0394-7f3e-8e29-dee2654035bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019d21a1-39bf-7769-8e44-f83e49c9390f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/BusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesCashandCashEquivalentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#BusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesCashandCashEquivalentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/BusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesCashandCashEquivalentsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_a2b1dad8-749e-4941-bd87-45167a7ea33f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCashAndCashEquivalentsTable_27ad0ff6-bb0c-4ebd-8a49-cd83bd2e2b28" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfCashAndCashEquivalentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_a2b1dad8-749e-4941-bd87-45167a7ea33f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCashAndCashEquivalentsTable_27ad0ff6-bb0c-4ebd-8a49-cd83bd2e2b28" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis_aa90d5a0-5900-412d-a725-c9b6dc3034c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCashAndCashEquivalentsTable_27ad0ff6-bb0c-4ebd-8a49-cd83bd2e2b28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis_aa90d5a0-5900-412d-a725-c9b6dc3034c8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_aa90d5a0-5900-412d-a725-c9b6dc3034c8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis_aa90d5a0-5900-412d-a725-c9b6dc3034c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_aa90d5a0-5900-412d-a725-c9b6dc3034c8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_7d5bc616-0999-4b86-860d-438e7148ad2d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis_aa90d5a0-5900-412d-a725-c9b6dc3034c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_7d5bc616-0999-4b86-860d-438e7148ad2d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditCardReceivablesMember_50be9bc5-60fc-4028-a4c2-ca904ed9cd5d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditCardReceivablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_7d5bc616-0999-4b86-860d-438e7148ad2d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditCardReceivablesMember_50be9bc5-60fc-4028-a4c2-ca904ed9cd5d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_cd5512b3-cd3d-4145-86fd-1f5e07764d64" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_a2b1dad8-749e-4941-bd87-45167a7ea33f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_cd5512b3-cd3d-4145-86fd-1f5e07764d64" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/BusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesInventoriesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#BusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesInventoriesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/BusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesInventoriesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InventoryLineItems_623ff069-b0aa-4e6b-b08a-69906bd1a8f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InventoryLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InventoryCurrentTable_2509a6c1-c3d6-4e41-8dd6-748b5eebc5c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InventoryCurrentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InventoryLineItems_623ff069-b0aa-4e6b-b08a-69906bd1a8f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InventoryCurrentTable_2509a6c1-c3d6-4e41-8dd6-748b5eebc5c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryAxis_202aae17-947e-44ca-91f8-9849eb2aae53" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InventoryCurrentTable_2509a6c1-c3d6-4e41-8dd6-748b5eebc5c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryAxis_202aae17-947e-44ca-91f8-9849eb2aae53" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain_202aae17-947e-44ca-91f8-9849eb2aae53_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryAxis_202aae17-947e-44ca-91f8-9849eb2aae53" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain_202aae17-947e-44ca-91f8-9849eb2aae53_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain_61ae5aac-050e-429e-b40f-e58e2bd6b8bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryAxis_202aae17-947e-44ca-91f8-9849eb2aae53" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain_61ae5aac-050e-429e-b40f-e58e2bd6b8bc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_SmallwaresInventoryMember_be38a99c-cd14-4fc3-b272-43d03129035e" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_SmallwaresInventoryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain_61ae5aac-050e-429e-b40f-e58e2bd6b8bc" xlink:to="loc_ndls_SmallwaresInventoryMember_be38a99c-cd14-4fc3-b272-43d03129035e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InventoryNet_8b172ad2-325e-4726-bbcd-50363f2683c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InventoryNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InventoryLineItems_623ff069-b0aa-4e6b-b08a-69906bd1a8f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InventoryNet_8b172ad2-325e-4726-bbcd-50363f2683c1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/BusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPropertyandEquipmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#BusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPropertyandEquipmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/BusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPropertyandEquipmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_7a9dac27-d402-468f-99e0-4dfb14e2f268" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_9afce829-2a4b-4a89-bfee-7c85f8dcaeb8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_7a9dac27-d402-468f-99e0-4dfb14e2f268" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_9afce829-2a4b-4a89-bfee-7c85f8dcaeb8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_26b821e8-a49c-4fc2-980b-e1829d5ae5f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_9afce829-2a4b-4a89-bfee-7c85f8dcaeb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_26b821e8-a49c-4fc2-980b-e1829d5ae5f4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_26b821e8-a49c-4fc2-980b-e1829d5ae5f4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_26b821e8-a49c-4fc2-980b-e1829d5ae5f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_26b821e8-a49c-4fc2-980b-e1829d5ae5f4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_d805410f-516b-4e6c-8706-a231d0f597e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_26b821e8-a49c-4fc2-980b-e1829d5ae5f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_d805410f-516b-4e6c-8706-a231d0f597e7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_64003555-2448-4a4e-8501-2257724e21be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_d805410f-516b-4e6c-8706-a231d0f597e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_64003555-2448-4a4e-8501-2257724e21be" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember_e954cbd0-33b0-4de3-b0eb-260ca244c90e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_d805410f-516b-4e6c-8706-a231d0f597e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember_e954cbd0-33b0-4de3-b0eb-260ca244c90e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquipmentMember_d8464474-4ca1-4df7-80ac-805035be9ac7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquipmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_d805410f-516b-4e6c-8706-a231d0f597e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquipmentMember_d8464474-4ca1-4df7-80ac-805035be9ac7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_ea6e1d2a-b6f2-4b4e-b765-511f5754142f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_9afce829-2a4b-4a89-bfee-7c85f8dcaeb8" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_ea6e1d2a-b6f2-4b4e-b765-511f5754142f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_ea6e1d2a-b6f2-4b4e-b765-511f5754142f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_ea6e1d2a-b6f2-4b4e-b765-511f5754142f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_ea6e1d2a-b6f2-4b4e-b765-511f5754142f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_7e2164da-abb8-457b-9155-9bfa10980fed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_ea6e1d2a-b6f2-4b4e-b765-511f5754142f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_7e2164da-abb8-457b-9155-9bfa10980fed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_33c5e0c0-cbb7-42c6-90ec-4d57f5cca5a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_7e2164da-abb8-457b-9155-9bfa10980fed" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_33c5e0c0-cbb7-42c6-90ec-4d57f5cca5a5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_1ef42df3-020b-4365-a527-47ff3c6b8472" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_7e2164da-abb8-457b-9155-9bfa10980fed" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_1ef42df3-020b-4365-a527-47ff3c6b8472" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_0de8006f-19b6-42dd-8041-bd273614eebc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_Depreciation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_7a9dac27-d402-468f-99e0-4dfb14e2f268" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_0de8006f-19b6-42dd-8041-bd273614eebc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_88b20149-ebdd-440e-b434-a21aeb212e60" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_7a9dac27-d402-468f-99e0-4dfb14e2f268" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_88b20149-ebdd-440e-b434-a21aeb212e60" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_InternalPayrollCostsCapitalized_008b9057-f26d-4a3b-871d-7fc546585fb4" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_InternalPayrollCostsCapitalized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_7a9dac27-d402-468f-99e0-4dfb14e2f268" xlink:to="loc_ndls_InternalPayrollCostsCapitalized_008b9057-f26d-4a3b-871d-7fc546585fb4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized_c70c1e6e-4202-4580-ac13-4c496e1b7a42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_7a9dac27-d402-468f-99e0-4dfb14e2f268" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized_c70c1e6e-4202-4580-ac13-4c496e1b7a42" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/BusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesGoodwillandIntangiblesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#BusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesGoodwillandIntangiblesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/BusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesGoodwillandIntangiblesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_ed679785-35c8-43de-9b3b-e1b9ae177fbd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable_59be4b95-ac52-426f-9c12-10cef3f9e2ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_ed679785-35c8-43de-9b3b-e1b9ae177fbd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable_59be4b95-ac52-426f-9c12-10cef3f9e2ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_3d8ff929-99b8-48cf-aea5-efe7f73afed7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable_59be4b95-ac52-426f-9c12-10cef3f9e2ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_3d8ff929-99b8-48cf-aea5-efe7f73afed7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_3d8ff929-99b8-48cf-aea5-efe7f73afed7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_3d8ff929-99b8-48cf-aea5-efe7f73afed7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_3d8ff929-99b8-48cf-aea5-efe7f73afed7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_1d507872-a4a1-435f-a47c-c05b98d611e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_3d8ff929-99b8-48cf-aea5-efe7f73afed7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_1d507872-a4a1-435f-a47c-c05b98d611e2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FranchiseRightsMember_57b9fc8e-f008-4ee8-b528-6fbc1b097e85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FranchiseRightsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_1d507872-a4a1-435f-a47c-c05b98d611e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FranchiseRightsMember_57b9fc8e-f008-4ee8-b528-6fbc1b097e85" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_71d289e7-29aa-48a1-af9f-6d602bbae4a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable_59be4b95-ac52-426f-9c12-10cef3f9e2ec" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_71d289e7-29aa-48a1-af9f-6d602bbae4a4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_71d289e7-29aa-48a1-af9f-6d602bbae4a4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_71d289e7-29aa-48a1-af9f-6d602bbae4a4" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_71d289e7-29aa-48a1-af9f-6d602bbae4a4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_ffedccdb-b3bc-4465-806d-1985fcf85b01" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_71d289e7-29aa-48a1-af9f-6d602bbae4a4" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_ffedccdb-b3bc-4465-806d-1985fcf85b01" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_b12ee574-4e10-42fb-8ad7-15d43a078b68" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_ffedccdb-b3bc-4465-806d-1985fcf85b01" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_b12ee574-4e10-42fb-8ad7-15d43a078b68" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_d9b68873-dcbd-4f83-8dd6-a828bb89fa29" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_ffedccdb-b3bc-4465-806d-1985fcf85b01" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_d9b68873-dcbd-4f83-8dd6-a828bb89fa29" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife_15f181d5-8b9e-4cf0-8b22-e51a47d6e2a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_ed679785-35c8-43de-9b3b-e1b9ae177fbd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife_15f181d5-8b9e-4cf0-8b22-e51a47d6e2a6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/BusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesRevenueRecognitionandFranchiseDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#BusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesRevenueRecognitionandFranchiseDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/BusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesRevenueRecognitionandFranchiseDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureLineItems_dbc85568-c353-4df2-9d8d-21e9466051fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFranchisorDisclosureTable_f49f1dae-4205-418b-b9db-57ea179dc51c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFranchisorDisclosureTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureLineItems_dbc85568-c353-4df2-9d8d-21e9466051fa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFranchisorDisclosureTable_f49f1dae-4205-418b-b9db-57ea179dc51c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureAxis_023034bd-48f3-4b07-9c6f-5e030970d500" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFranchisorDisclosureTable_f49f1dae-4205-418b-b9db-57ea179dc51c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureAxis_023034bd-48f3-4b07-9c6f-5e030970d500" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureDomain_023034bd-48f3-4b07-9c6f-5e030970d500_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureAxis_023034bd-48f3-4b07-9c6f-5e030970d500" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureDomain_023034bd-48f3-4b07-9c6f-5e030970d500_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureDomain_5da24590-46f3-470b-b6f5-6655dc60bb79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureAxis_023034bd-48f3-4b07-9c6f-5e030970d500" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureDomain_5da24590-46f3-470b-b6f5-6655dc60bb79" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FranchisedUnitsMember_cf55068e-4b6f-4ed9-8405-e6314fc22f74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FranchisedUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureDomain_5da24590-46f3-470b-b6f5-6655dc60bb79" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FranchisedUnitsMember_cf55068e-4b6f-4ed9-8405-e6314fc22f74" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_RevenueRecognitionGiftCardsExpectedUnredeemedPercent_e3935f79-79c1-4252-a452-8d1c2af8c8ba" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_RevenueRecognitionGiftCardsExpectedUnredeemedPercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureLineItems_dbc85568-c353-4df2-9d8d-21e9466051fa" xlink:to="loc_ndls_RevenueRecognitionGiftCardsExpectedUnredeemedPercent_e3935f79-79c1-4252-a452-8d1c2af8c8ba" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_RevenueRecognitionGiftCardsEstimatedRedemptionPeriod_22407763-4b4d-4eef-9766-8ce575c2a2d0" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_RevenueRecognitionGiftCardsEstimatedRedemptionPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureLineItems_dbc85568-c353-4df2-9d8d-21e9466051fa" xlink:to="loc_ndls_RevenueRecognitionGiftCardsEstimatedRedemptionPeriod_22407763-4b4d-4eef-9766-8ce575c2a2d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRestaurants_713506d1-3502-428b-b0b2-56043a87d8c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfRestaurants"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureLineItems_dbc85568-c353-4df2-9d8d-21e9466051fa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRestaurants_713506d1-3502-428b-b0b2-56043a87d8c8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_NumberofRestaurantsOpenedDuringPeriod_1ad06df2-587f-4416-ae43-7c68140e2b96" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_NumberofRestaurantsOpenedDuringPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureLineItems_dbc85568-c353-4df2-9d8d-21e9466051fa" xlink:to="loc_ndls_NumberofRestaurantsOpenedDuringPeriod_1ad06df2-587f-4416-ae43-7c68140e2b96" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_NumberOfRestaurantsClosed_207cfdf8-6530-4f1f-97cc-7631a30080d8" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_NumberOfRestaurantsClosed"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureLineItems_dbc85568-c353-4df2-9d8d-21e9466051fa" xlink:to="loc_ndls_NumberOfRestaurantsClosed_207cfdf8-6530-4f1f-97cc-7631a30080d8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_NumberofCompanyOwnedRestaurantsAcquiredByFranchisees_6bd4d506-9348-4eed-9c94-75cdb1745295" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_NumberofCompanyOwnedRestaurantsAcquiredByFranchisees"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FranchisorDisclosureLineItems_dbc85568-c353-4df2-9d8d-21e9466051fa" xlink:to="loc_ndls_NumberofCompanyOwnedRestaurantsAcquiredByFranchisees_6bd4d506-9348-4eed-9c94-75cdb1745295" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/SupplementalFinancialInformationAccountsReceivableDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#SupplementalFinancialInformationAccountsReceivableDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/SupplementalFinancialInformationAccountsReceivableDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_6018851b-a6a1-4c8c-b85a-9d091027032f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_461a6cb3-7645-42ba-99ea-bc3a0c6419e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_6018851b-a6a1-4c8c-b85a-9d091027032f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_461a6cb3-7645-42ba-99ea-bc3a0c6419e8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_5baa3fde-4c9d-4a2d-b0a7-f482dd2d5329" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_461a6cb3-7645-42ba-99ea-bc3a0c6419e8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_5baa3fde-4c9d-4a2d-b0a7-f482dd2d5329" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_5baa3fde-4c9d-4a2d-b0a7-f482dd2d5329_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_5baa3fde-4c9d-4a2d-b0a7-f482dd2d5329" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_5baa3fde-4c9d-4a2d-b0a7-f482dd2d5329_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_eb36fa84-93fc-4136-9775-a7d7c7525716" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_5baa3fde-4c9d-4a2d-b0a7-f482dd2d5329" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_eb36fa84-93fc-4136-9775-a7d7c7525716" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_DeliveryProgramMember_2aa1611b-cc75-4b05-810e-1eab496949ca" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_DeliveryProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_eb36fa84-93fc-4136-9775-a7d7c7525716" xlink:to="loc_ndls_DeliveryProgramMember_2aa1611b-cc75-4b05-810e-1eab496949ca" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_VendorRebateMember_e9535244-5aac-4389-83eb-cfc6fb2d40f9" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_VendorRebateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_eb36fa84-93fc-4136-9775-a7d7c7525716" xlink:to="loc_ndls_VendorRebateMember_e9535244-5aac-4389-83eb-cfc6fb2d40f9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_FranchiseReceivableMember_8b70d080-a692-4869-acb7-740a78f06c0d" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_FranchiseReceivableMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_eb36fa84-93fc-4136-9775-a7d7c7525716" xlink:to="loc_ndls_FranchiseReceivableMember_8b70d080-a692-4869-acb7-740a78f06c0d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_OtherReceivableMember_61e122c7-0ac5-49cd-bc07-4bd7de95af93" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_OtherReceivableMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_eb36fa84-93fc-4136-9775-a7d7c7525716" xlink:to="loc_ndls_OtherReceivableMember_61e122c7-0ac5-49cd-bc07-4bd7de95af93" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent_c1515b75-cc2a-4b4a-976a-48d34fe358fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_6018851b-a6a1-4c8c-b85a-9d091027032f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent_c1515b75-cc2a-4b4a-976a-48d34fe358fd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/SupplementalFinancialInformationPropertyandEquipmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#SupplementalFinancialInformationPropertyandEquipmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/SupplementalFinancialInformationPropertyandEquipmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_4d08e062-67d6-4c4e-9772-95ffe342fe1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_b73ad79e-2fa9-43ab-b214-5b0bd8ce3429" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_4d08e062-67d6-4c4e-9772-95ffe342fe1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_b73ad79e-2fa9-43ab-b214-5b0bd8ce3429" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_fb8d7cd8-591d-4fde-85d3-cbc20cab1967" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_b73ad79e-2fa9-43ab-b214-5b0bd8ce3429" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_fb8d7cd8-591d-4fde-85d3-cbc20cab1967" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_fb8d7cd8-591d-4fde-85d3-cbc20cab1967_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_fb8d7cd8-591d-4fde-85d3-cbc20cab1967" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_fb8d7cd8-591d-4fde-85d3-cbc20cab1967_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_ea446fc6-a1ba-4fd0-8b2d-12d733bf0505" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_fb8d7cd8-591d-4fde-85d3-cbc20cab1967" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_ea446fc6-a1ba-4fd0-8b2d-12d733bf0505" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_3aaca9d9-2297-4771-8eb2-6af54237bf32" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_ea446fc6-a1ba-4fd0-8b2d-12d733bf0505" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_3aaca9d9-2297-4771-8eb2-6af54237bf32" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_FurnitureFixturesAndEquipmentMember_507925bb-3281-4107-99fd-0be6f85d6afe" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_FurnitureFixturesAndEquipmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_ea446fc6-a1ba-4fd0-8b2d-12d733bf0505" xlink:to="loc_ndls_FurnitureFixturesAndEquipmentMember_507925bb-3281-4107-99fd-0be6f85d6afe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember_32602bbc-f41c-4a58-a922-dd6bfe9e57ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_ea446fc6-a1ba-4fd0-8b2d-12d733bf0505" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember_32602bbc-f41c-4a58-a922-dd6bfe9e57ad" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetBeforeAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_ce0e43f3-0af4-4c2a-90ba-0af66653ae4c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetBeforeAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_4d08e062-67d6-4c4e-9772-95ffe342fe1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetBeforeAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_ce0e43f3-0af4-4c2a-90ba-0af66653ae4c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_f38d341c-fb17-4812-8ad1-c9f4a31113ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_4d08e062-67d6-4c4e-9772-95ffe342fe1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_f38d341c-fb17-4812-8ad1-c9f4a31113ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_86f42ebf-cba6-46b5-8dae-e27037a4a4a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_4d08e062-67d6-4c4e-9772-95ffe342fe1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_86f42ebf-cba6-46b5-8dae-e27037a4a4a3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/LongTermDebtNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#LongTermDebtNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/LongTermDebtNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_152a1eab-6d8c-4b45-82cf-176634068137" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_9e8885f4-5573-46dd-a28c-36d5245a9cbf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_152a1eab-6d8c-4b45-82cf-176634068137" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_9e8885f4-5573-46dd-a28c-36d5245a9cbf" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_ececc279-ad34-4fb5-a496-d8bde63e7fe1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_9e8885f4-5573-46dd-a28c-36d5245a9cbf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_ececc279-ad34-4fb5-a496-d8bde63e7fe1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_ececc279-ad34-4fb5-a496-d8bde63e7fe1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_ececc279-ad34-4fb5-a496-d8bde63e7fe1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_ececc279-ad34-4fb5-a496-d8bde63e7fe1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3874f614-073f-4499-b7b9-46195aa3234f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_ececc279-ad34-4fb5-a496-d8bde63e7fe1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3874f614-073f-4499-b7b9-46195aa3234f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_ARCreditAgreementMember_891385b2-713c-4261-8451-b605b0e8fa1e" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_ARCreditAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3874f614-073f-4499-b7b9-46195aa3234f" xlink:to="loc_ndls_ARCreditAgreementMember_891385b2-713c-4261-8451-b605b0e8fa1e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_84622f25-909b-47f3-8bab-861fcf41d703" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_9e8885f4-5573-46dd-a28c-36d5245a9cbf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_84622f25-909b-47f3-8bab-861fcf41d703" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_84622f25-909b-47f3-8bab-861fcf41d703_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_84622f25-909b-47f3-8bab-861fcf41d703" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_84622f25-909b-47f3-8bab-861fcf41d703_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_61210865-b402-4a1e-ba72-83f7dca0599e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_84622f25-909b-47f3-8bab-861fcf41d703" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_61210865-b402-4a1e-ba72-83f7dca0599e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_185690b0-dd2f-438d-b9f7-a7bb1b780875" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_61210865-b402-4a1e-ba72-83f7dca0599e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_185690b0-dd2f-438d-b9f7-a7bb1b780875" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_SwinglineSubfacilityMember_a2633476-1a91-406b-84cc-8008bdfaeb38" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_SwinglineSubfacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_61210865-b402-4a1e-ba72-83f7dca0599e" xlink:to="loc_ndls_SwinglineSubfacilityMember_a2633476-1a91-406b-84cc-8008bdfaeb38" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_92cd4888-19b1-494a-b7e3-95a7de453542" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_9e8885f4-5573-46dd-a28c-36d5245a9cbf" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_92cd4888-19b1-494a-b7e3-95a7de453542" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_92cd4888-19b1-494a-b7e3-95a7de453542_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_92cd4888-19b1-494a-b7e3-95a7de453542" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_92cd4888-19b1-494a-b7e3-95a7de453542_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_dcfccc36-633f-485a-b34f-39e054c9c188" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_92cd4888-19b1-494a-b7e3-95a7de453542" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_dcfccc36-633f-485a-b34f-39e054c9c188" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_0617f052-1497-46a9-b905-0eeb8f88fea7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_dcfccc36-633f-485a-b34f-39e054c9c188" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_0617f052-1497-46a9-b905-0eeb8f88fea7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_217d409d-d567-44a3-962b-bd421c0ecdf0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_dcfccc36-633f-485a-b34f-39e054c9c188" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_217d409d-d567-44a3-962b-bd421c0ecdf0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_019d21ab-da0b-79d8-ab7c-d2fc16f4a7e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_StatementScenarioAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_9e8885f4-5573-46dd-a28c-36d5245a9cbf" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_019d21ab-da0b-79d8-ab7c-d2fc16f4a7e3" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_019d21ab-da0b-79d8-ab7c-d2fc16f4a7e3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_019d21ab-da0b-79d8-ab7c-d2fc16f4a7e3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_019d21ab-da0b-79d8-ab7c-d2fc16f4a7e3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_019d21ac-018f-7765-ba65-2509223ebadc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_019d21ab-da0b-79d8-ab7c-d2fc16f4a7e3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_019d21ac-018f-7765-ba65-2509223ebadc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_019d21ac-25be-7ebc-bd12-e3c05e966ec0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ScenarioForecastMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_019d21ac-018f-7765-ba65-2509223ebadc" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_019d21ac-25be-7ebc-bd12-e3c05e966ec0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_a35d1df6-f510-45b0-8e8d-1e2818a36d17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_152a1eab-6d8c-4b45-82cf-176634068137" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_a35d1df6-f510-45b0-8e8d-1e2818a36d17" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_5764ee3e-b89e-4f60-8dae-3400b396520b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_152a1eab-6d8c-4b45-82cf-176634068137" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_5764ee3e-b89e-4f60-8dae-3400b396520b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_LeaseAdjustedLeverageRatio_25745e65-51b3-4d6b-949b-8869c6903f00" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_LeaseAdjustedLeverageRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_152a1eab-6d8c-4b45-82cf-176634068137" xlink:to="loc_ndls_LeaseAdjustedLeverageRatio_25745e65-51b3-4d6b-949b-8869c6903f00" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_ConsolidatedFixedChargeCoverageRatio_fc82fbfa-4b60-44b8-a280-d29e21fd8dc6" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_ConsolidatedFixedChargeCoverageRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_152a1eab-6d8c-4b45-82cf-176634068137" xlink:to="loc_ndls_ConsolidatedFixedChargeCoverageRatio_fc82fbfa-4b60-44b8-a280-d29e21fd8dc6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_LeaseAdjustedLeverageRatioForEntryIntoNewLeases_68f523bd-3ad0-41db-a9ee-f4bc8b07f97b" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_LeaseAdjustedLeverageRatioForEntryIntoNewLeases"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_152a1eab-6d8c-4b45-82cf-176634068137" xlink:to="loc_ndls_LeaseAdjustedLeverageRatioForEntryIntoNewLeases_68f523bd-3ad0-41db-a9ee-f4bc8b07f97b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_38a0fbd1-d0ea-4c8a-b69f-26e95aa07540" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_152a1eab-6d8c-4b45-82cf-176634068137" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_38a0fbd1-d0ea-4c8a-b69f-26e95aa07540" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet_239c88ce-7034-4f2e-a7f0-57e2f0621a91" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_152a1eab-6d8c-4b45-82cf-176634068137" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet_239c88ce-7034-4f2e-a7f0-57e2f0621a91" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_8c1c2ae3-77c5-4c5b-966a-6c51fae64700" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_152a1eab-6d8c-4b45-82cf-176634068137" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_8c1c2ae3-77c5-4c5b-966a-6c51fae64700" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateDuringPeriod_46e68378-7700-437e-aa29-3ddc4e1bef52" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateDuringPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_152a1eab-6d8c-4b45-82cf-176634068137" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateDuringPeriod_46e68378-7700-437e-aa29-3ddc4e1bef52" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_ef304cf6-ff89-4fb8-9f86-0716ba253d55" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_152a1eab-6d8c-4b45-82cf-176634068137" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_ef304cf6-ff89-4fb8-9f86-0716ba253d55" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts_b447cab5-5411-4ee4-8b40-6cfa8e141b7f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_152a1eab-6d8c-4b45-82cf-176634068137" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts_b447cab5-5411-4ee4-8b40-6cfa8e141b7f" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_76526f36-9f6e-4ff3-8e60-288e929ad649" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable_9559e152-4761-4773-b133-ba392d57801f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_76526f36-9f6e-4ff3-8e60-288e929ad649" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable_9559e152-4761-4773-b133-ba392d57801f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_6c3cf337-ceb6-4747-b43c-6cd87acd065a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable_9559e152-4761-4773-b133-ba392d57801f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_6c3cf337-ceb6-4747-b43c-6cd87acd065a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_6c3cf337-ceb6-4747-b43c-6cd87acd065a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_6c3cf337-ceb6-4747-b43c-6cd87acd065a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_6c3cf337-ceb6-4747-b43c-6cd87acd065a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_1e9edf5b-ebc2-4331-9f77-b4c842d38161" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_6c3cf337-ceb6-4747-b43c-6cd87acd065a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_1e9edf5b-ebc2-4331-9f77-b4c842d38161" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DomesticCountryMember_0a06fcb1-3081-435d-96a6-b45bc8d024d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DomesticCountryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_1e9edf5b-ebc2-4331-9f77-b4c842d38161" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DomesticCountryMember_0a06fcb1-3081-435d-96a6-b45bc8d024d7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance_ebe41f08-e145-4e69-b153-2707c610e6d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_76526f36-9f6e-4ff3-8e60-288e929ad649" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance_ebe41f08-e145-4e69-b153-2707c610e6d7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards_d26dfe57-18e3-44d5-9981-a939903b88be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_76526f36-9f6e-4ff3-8e60-288e929ad649" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards_d26dfe57-18e3-44d5-9981-a939903b88be" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsSubjectToExpiration_fc26767d-5cc9-44cf-a85f-0e4329103094" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsSubjectToExpiration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_76526f36-9f6e-4ff3-8e60-288e929ad649" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsSubjectToExpiration_fc26767d-5cc9-44cf-a85f-0e4329103094" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsNotSubjectToExpiration_56fafdf4-1bfb-434c-bd5f-80bd68078777" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsNotSubjectToExpiration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_76526f36-9f6e-4ff3-8e60-288e929ad649" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsNotSubjectToExpiration_56fafdf4-1bfb-434c-bd5f-80bd68078777" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits_019d0311-d980-7889-999d-ae286ce3de73" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_76526f36-9f6e-4ff3-8e60-288e929ad649" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits_019d0311-d980-7889-999d-ae286ce3de73" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#StockholdersEquityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_dc06302e-a832-419e-bb64-723b15841f13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_14d364bf-7bc2-4c5b-9213-09272314cbad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_dc06302e-a832-419e-bb64-723b15841f13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_14d364bf-7bc2-4c5b-9213-09272314cbad" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_1785f647-18b9-4c5f-8261-9a4ebfe8ddbb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_14d364bf-7bc2-4c5b-9213-09272314cbad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_1785f647-18b9-4c5f-8261-9a4ebfe8ddbb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_1785f647-18b9-4c5f-8261-9a4ebfe8ddbb_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_1785f647-18b9-4c5f-8261-9a4ebfe8ddbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_1785f647-18b9-4c5f-8261-9a4ebfe8ddbb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_edbe5773-bf99-4704-97e1-656956291d31" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_1785f647-18b9-4c5f-8261-9a4ebfe8ddbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_edbe5773-bf99-4704-97e1-656956291d31" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_b44db8b4-ec89-4bae-8bc5-c44133095373" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_edbe5773-bf99-4704-97e1-656956291d31" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_b44db8b4-ec89-4bae-8bc5-c44133095373" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_7107b81f-c16b-4895-840c-0e112940c154" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_edbe5773-bf99-4704-97e1-656956291d31" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_7107b81f-c16b-4895-840c-0e112940c154" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_d6628273-80d2-4314-8946-029479d52940" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_edbe5773-bf99-4704-97e1-656956291d31" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_d6628273-80d2-4314-8946-029479d52940" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_StockSharesAuthorized_f3fd7e80-4aa3-426c-8260-9f71c46fd1c5" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_StockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_dc06302e-a832-419e-bb64-723b15841f13" xlink:to="loc_ndls_StockSharesAuthorized_f3fd7e80-4aa3-426c-8260-9f71c46fd1c5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_07fb5492-84db-4afe-bbf8-27a14098924d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_dc06302e-a832-419e-bb64-723b15841f13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_07fb5492-84db-4afe-bbf8-27a14098924d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_fb1ce6ed-a486-4ae4-b054-d4b0c6743a1a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_dc06302e-a832-419e-bb64-723b15841f13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_fb1ce6ed-a486-4ae4-b054-d4b0c6743a1a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_33ce1acf-1b87-4900-8921-1e7cacfdc6d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_dc06302e-a832-419e-bb64-723b15841f13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_33ce1acf-1b87-4900-8921-1e7cacfdc6d3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_4de5c32d-bb55-4a79-85df-5278917b5ce3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_dc06302e-a832-419e-bb64-723b15841f13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_4de5c32d-bb55-4a79-85df-5278917b5ce3" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_50985776-d186-400f-860e-0862df45280c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_dc06302e-a832-419e-bb64-723b15841f13" xlink:to="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_50985776-d186-400f-860e-0862df45280c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_6e897354-6e83-4545-bf39-258f3d29b91a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_dc06302e-a832-419e-bb64-723b15841f13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_6e897354-6e83-4545-bf39-258f3d29b91a" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodSharesPriorToReverseStockSplit_019d02c4-bd4c-7882-9e1d-44f01ab495be" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodSharesPriorToReverseStockSplit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_dc06302e-a832-419e-bb64-723b15841f13" xlink:to="loc_ndls_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodSharesPriorToReverseStockSplit_019d02c4-bd4c-7882-9e1d-44f01ab495be" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_1226818f-90e6-496b-adda-ccf2fc54412b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_dc06302e-a832-419e-bb64-723b15841f13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_1226818f-90e6-496b-adda-ccf2fc54412b" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare_4a193962-98bd-485b-a5f1-124910bb5a06" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_dc06302e-a832-419e-bb64-723b15841f13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare_4a193962-98bd-485b-a5f1-124910bb5a06" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_SharesAcquiredAverageCostPerSharePriorToReverseStockSplit_019d218e-6fce-79e8-9f20-235dce8cf86a" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_SharesAcquiredAverageCostPerSharePriorToReverseStockSplit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_dc06302e-a832-419e-bb64-723b15841f13" xlink:to="loc_ndls_SharesAcquiredAverageCostPerSharePriorToReverseStockSplit_019d218e-6fce-79e8-9f20-235dce8cf86a" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/StockBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#StockBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/StockBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bacb2287-2510-4aee-adcc-0330e3434b1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_adbfc2b3-d1d8-4069-a56a-3dc016fcd594" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bacb2287-2510-4aee-adcc-0330e3434b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_adbfc2b3-d1d8-4069-a56a-3dc016fcd594" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_e3ed8399-210b-4e07-b6f8-69d87e033475" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_adbfc2b3-d1d8-4069-a56a-3dc016fcd594" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_e3ed8399-210b-4e07-b6f8-69d87e033475" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_e3ed8399-210b-4e07-b6f8-69d87e033475_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_e3ed8399-210b-4e07-b6f8-69d87e033475" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_e3ed8399-210b-4e07-b6f8-69d87e033475_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_ce029efe-900a-46ac-b6fe-8e05c69eb13a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_e3ed8399-210b-4e07-b6f8-69d87e033475" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_ce029efe-900a-46ac-b6fe-8e05c69eb13a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_StockIncentivePlanMember_497d5fcc-ef0d-4d70-8630-6e8757aa8c77" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_StockIncentivePlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_ce029efe-900a-46ac-b6fe-8e05c69eb13a" xlink:to="loc_ndls_StockIncentivePlanMember_497d5fcc-ef0d-4d70-8630-6e8757aa8c77" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_GeneralManagerGMEquityProgramMember_394f0fa3-5d81-4ed0-9c31-d33f24e4f745" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_GeneralManagerGMEquityProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_ce029efe-900a-46ac-b6fe-8e05c69eb13a" xlink:to="loc_ndls_GeneralManagerGMEquityProgramMember_394f0fa3-5d81-4ed0-9c31-d33f24e4f745" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_InducementPlanMember_bacee66b-483a-488b-a024-143db1a0e585" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_InducementPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_ce029efe-900a-46ac-b6fe-8e05c69eb13a" xlink:to="loc_ndls_InducementPlanMember_bacee66b-483a-488b-a024-143db1a0e585" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_70ea708c-ea66-4da0-85e3-76dea6c77d19" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_adbfc2b3-d1d8-4069-a56a-3dc016fcd594" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_70ea708c-ea66-4da0-85e3-76dea6c77d19" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_70ea708c-ea66-4da0-85e3-76dea6c77d19_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_70ea708c-ea66-4da0-85e3-76dea6c77d19" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_70ea708c-ea66-4da0-85e3-76dea6c77d19_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_875ec22f-fa75-41df-acc6-257d87ceb1d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_70ea708c-ea66-4da0-85e3-76dea6c77d19" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_875ec22f-fa75-41df-acc6-257d87ceb1d3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_e8109cac-108d-4a7f-93af-c41e6c0a1ceb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_875ec22f-fa75-41df-acc6-257d87ceb1d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_e8109cac-108d-4a7f-93af-c41e6c0a1ceb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_b5f9ac15-1d5a-4d33-86fe-279536c5ef61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_875ec22f-fa75-41df-acc6-257d87ceb1d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_b5f9ac15-1d5a-4d33-86fe-279536c5ef61" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_b33b92a0-c7dd-40dc-911a-37ea300b8c5b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_875ec22f-fa75-41df-acc6-257d87ceb1d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_b33b92a0-c7dd-40dc-911a-37ea300b8c5b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_19838489-2fb0-446e-b559-4e2dbeb7f878" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_adbfc2b3-d1d8-4069-a56a-3dc016fcd594" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_19838489-2fb0-446e-b559-4e2dbeb7f878" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_19838489-2fb0-446e-b559-4e2dbeb7f878_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_19838489-2fb0-446e-b559-4e2dbeb7f878" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_19838489-2fb0-446e-b559-4e2dbeb7f878_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_b9c68aba-8169-42af-8891-3e6771a3c4fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_19838489-2fb0-446e-b559-4e2dbeb7f878" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_b9c68aba-8169-42af-8891-3e6771a3c4fe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember_0f3ee6dc-fafe-4701-9a11-18d764e32326" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_b9c68aba-8169-42af-8891-3e6771a3c4fe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember_0f3ee6dc-fafe-4701-9a11-18d764e32326" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a2621e1d-1b79-4700-bfd3-91f734f7d584" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_adbfc2b3-d1d8-4069-a56a-3dc016fcd594" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a2621e1d-1b79-4700-bfd3-91f734f7d584" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_a2621e1d-1b79-4700-bfd3-91f734f7d584_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a2621e1d-1b79-4700-bfd3-91f734f7d584" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_a2621e1d-1b79-4700-bfd3-91f734f7d584_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_d488cfa7-ea5d-415b-81fd-10e155f0c230" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a2621e1d-1b79-4700-bfd3-91f734f7d584" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_d488cfa7-ea5d-415b-81fd-10e155f0c230" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_3795ab06-fb99-4296-a87f-3fca22cca274" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_d488cfa7-ea5d-415b-81fd-10e155f0c230" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_3795ab06-fb99-4296-a87f-3fca22cca274" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_3c5e236a-91d1-4e31-ac05-492768d43207" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_d488cfa7-ea5d-415b-81fd-10e155f0c230" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_3c5e236a-91d1-4e31-ac05-492768d43207" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis_e454b3db-dd3c-4786-a792-c8ac0a3f9ac3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_adbfc2b3-d1d8-4069-a56a-3dc016fcd594" xlink:to="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis_e454b3db-dd3c-4786-a792-c8ac0a3f9ac3" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_e454b3db-dd3c-4786-a792-c8ac0a3f9ac3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis_e454b3db-dd3c-4786-a792-c8ac0a3f9ac3" xlink:to="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_e454b3db-dd3c-4786-a792-c8ac0a3f9ac3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_44e1a3a6-e9dc-46d9-a811-4fc0069f30a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis_e454b3db-dd3c-4786-a792-c8ac0a3f9ac3" xlink:to="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_44e1a3a6-e9dc-46d9-a811-4fc0069f30a4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ChiefExecutiveOfficerMember_c92efedd-6470-401d-9c59-86c4daea51a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ChiefExecutiveOfficerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_44e1a3a6-e9dc-46d9-a811-4fc0069f30a4" xlink:to="loc_srt_ChiefExecutiveOfficerMember_c92efedd-6470-401d-9c59-86c4daea51a9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019d21a5-b77d-7c7b-a277-371ba1fa038b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_adbfc2b3-d1d8-4069-a56a-3dc016fcd594" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019d21a5-b77d-7c7b-a277-371ba1fa038b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019d21a5-b77d-7c7b-a277-371ba1fa038b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019d21a5-b77d-7c7b-a277-371ba1fa038b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019d21a5-b77d-7c7b-a277-371ba1fa038b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019d21a6-012a-7f6f-bb64-8bba1b8c47e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019d21a5-b77d-7c7b-a277-371ba1fa038b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019d21a6-012a-7f6f-bb64-8bba1b8c47e4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019d21a6-2cea-7f49-b146-18a1c8c2884d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019d21a6-012a-7f6f-bb64-8bba1b8c47e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019d21a6-2cea-7f49-b146-18a1c8c2884d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTermsOfAward_623d43fb-2951-4e98-8585-b850948f7a09" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTermsOfAward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bacb2287-2510-4aee-adcc-0330e3434b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTermsOfAward_623d43fb-2951-4e98-8585-b850948f7a09" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1_a3268674-2767-41b6-b99d-1ee7ddd7d6e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bacb2287-2510-4aee-adcc-0330e3434b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1_a3268674-2767-41b6-b99d-1ee7ddd7d6e1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_2ba76e9b-7096-44e9-8afa-eff6c27ad6b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bacb2287-2510-4aee-adcc-0330e3434b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_2ba76e9b-7096-44e9-8afa-eff6c27ad6b4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrantPriorToReverseStockSplit_019d02bb-d5d4-7c22-be4c-2c11cfe33402" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrantPriorToReverseStockSplit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bacb2287-2510-4aee-adcc-0330e3434b1d" xlink:to="loc_ndls_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrantPriorToReverseStockSplit_019d02bb-d5d4-7c22-be4c-2c11cfe33402" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1_019d21a5-591d-7d56-a7a9-58227815c36d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bacb2287-2510-4aee-adcc-0330e3434b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1_019d21a5-591d-7d56-a7a9-58227815c36d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_4dcdbaa1-7038-4888-b0ed-bd41f1385044" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bacb2287-2510-4aee-adcc-0330e3434b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_4dcdbaa1-7038-4888-b0ed-bd41f1385044" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_5b4b0ee1-1f60-4c89-bfcc-d7156edd5af7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bacb2287-2510-4aee-adcc-0330e3434b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_5b4b0ee1-1f60-4c89-bfcc-d7156edd5af7" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_32ba3a57-7a14-4890-834f-30ba99df66f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bacb2287-2510-4aee-adcc-0330e3434b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_32ba3a57-7a14-4890-834f-30ba99df66f8" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross_cd61d7e9-2c14-4c36-a50a-b3e6279b3f67" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bacb2287-2510-4aee-adcc-0330e3434b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross_cd61d7e9-2c14-4c36-a50a-b3e6279b3f67" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_2a441ca5-0220-46d5-b96a-14c777e4df3b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bacb2287-2510-4aee-adcc-0330e3434b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_2a441ca5-0220-46d5-b96a-14c777e4df3b" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsEstimatedForfeitureRate_1b865581-b6ab-4b94-aa7e-50d088d8265e" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsEstimatedForfeitureRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bacb2287-2510-4aee-adcc-0330e3434b1d" xlink:to="loc_ndls_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsEstimatedForfeitureRate_1b865581-b6ab-4b94-aa7e-50d088d8265e" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedNumberOfShares_c7f95084-e953-4fac-bf6d-a54a56143540" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedNumberOfShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bacb2287-2510-4aee-adcc-0330e3434b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedNumberOfShares_c7f95084-e953-4fac-bf6d-a54a56143540" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedInPeriodFairValue1_27c41e9e-9888-4c82-a0b0-d0e255bb166e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedInPeriodFairValue1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bacb2287-2510-4aee-adcc-0330e3434b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedInPeriodFairValue1_27c41e9e-9888-4c82-a0b0-d0e255bb166e" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPerformancePeriod_b000c0ff-695b-4375-8aa6-1898cc7dd387" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPerformancePeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bacb2287-2510-4aee-adcc-0330e3434b1d" xlink:to="loc_ndls_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPerformancePeriod_b000c0ff-695b-4375-8aa6-1898cc7dd387" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage_fefba0c4-62a9-4274-93f8-16e589464f45" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bacb2287-2510-4aee-adcc-0330e3434b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage_fefba0c4-62a9-4274-93f8-16e589464f45" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_e825f531-dd84-464f-931a-fca774209175" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bacb2287-2510-4aee-adcc-0330e3434b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_e825f531-dd84-464f-931a-fca774209175" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_ShareBasedPaymentArrangementExpenseReversalExecutiveOfficerDeparture_6a17863e-5cb0-4972-bcd2-68da5087db42" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_ShareBasedPaymentArrangementExpenseReversalExecutiveOfficerDeparture"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bacb2287-2510-4aee-adcc-0330e3434b1d" xlink:to="loc_ndls_ShareBasedPaymentArrangementExpenseReversalExecutiveOfficerDeparture_6a17863e-5cb0-4972-bcd2-68da5087db42" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_ShareBasedPaymentArrangementExpenseReversalTargetPerformanceNotMet_456248d6-ffad-42ff-91d6-27211a9563ec" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_ShareBasedPaymentArrangementExpenseReversalTargetPerformanceNotMet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bacb2287-2510-4aee-adcc-0330e3434b1d" xlink:to="loc_ndls_ShareBasedPaymentArrangementExpenseReversalTargetPerformanceNotMet_456248d6-ffad-42ff-91d6-27211a9563ec" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_97d0f3d2-cd10-4b3b-9fa9-42c924fa1edb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bacb2287-2510-4aee-adcc-0330e3434b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_97d0f3d2-cd10-4b3b-9fa9-42c924fa1edb" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/StockBasedCompensationNonvestedRestrictedShareUnitActivityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#StockBasedCompensationNonvestedRestrictedShareUnitActivityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/StockBasedCompensationNonvestedRestrictedShareUnitActivityDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_8c76cec1-1ec9-4348-ac48-4346bce7b8d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_6eef6f6d-9197-4eb1-acb1-15d82e82a58a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_8c76cec1-1ec9-4348-ac48-4346bce7b8d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_6eef6f6d-9197-4eb1-acb1-15d82e82a58a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_abd80c88-eaeb-4afe-ac9f-5f8d6c0d60e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_6eef6f6d-9197-4eb1-acb1-15d82e82a58a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_abd80c88-eaeb-4afe-ac9f-5f8d6c0d60e2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_abd80c88-eaeb-4afe-ac9f-5f8d6c0d60e2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_abd80c88-eaeb-4afe-ac9f-5f8d6c0d60e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_abd80c88-eaeb-4afe-ac9f-5f8d6c0d60e2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_7725445a-a125-4784-a262-06f7d8b29902" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_abd80c88-eaeb-4afe-ac9f-5f8d6c0d60e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_7725445a-a125-4784-a262-06f7d8b29902" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_157cf136-5133-471d-a354-eecd4c221d15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_7725445a-a125-4784-a262-06f7d8b29902" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_157cf136-5133-471d-a354-eecd4c221d15" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_c140f42d-cb2e-491e-8e8e-f93048e110ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_8c76cec1-1ec9-4348-ac48-4346bce7b8d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_c140f42d-cb2e-491e-8e8e-f93048e110ae" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_a27eb6ab-c16b-4ada-b2bd-d513f607067e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_c140f42d-cb2e-491e-8e8e-f93048e110ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_a27eb6ab-c16b-4ada-b2bd-d513f607067e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_08d34ff8-3adf-469a-b1f8-85fcea7464db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_c140f42d-cb2e-491e-8e8e-f93048e110ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_08d34ff8-3adf-469a-b1f8-85fcea7464db" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_7572cafc-697c-4b0f-acf6-779c25574180" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_c140f42d-cb2e-491e-8e8e-f93048e110ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_7572cafc-697c-4b0f-acf6-779c25574180" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_1ad7c636-9af7-433b-a24a-47bb16469524" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_c140f42d-cb2e-491e-8e8e-f93048e110ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_1ad7c636-9af7-433b-a24a-47bb16469524" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_a6cfb612-3899-41e2-88f5-3e9277474ec9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_12899a13-275e-453d-8c31-7b44091e872a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_8c76cec1-1ec9-4348-ac48-4346bce7b8d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_12899a13-275e-453d-8c31-7b44091e872a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_ed3fec2f-4099-42f1-9d8b-bbd8509a69cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_12899a13-275e-453d-8c31-7b44091e872a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_ed3fec2f-4099-42f1-9d8b-bbd8509a69cb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_29092a21-c96e-4ec5-bccd-b35fbadd3b3e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_12899a13-275e-453d-8c31-7b44091e872a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_29092a21-c96e-4ec5-bccd-b35fbadd3b3e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_cbeb023e-3fbf-4395-99d3-0186dd4febcb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_12899a13-275e-453d-8c31-7b44091e872a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_cbeb023e-3fbf-4395-99d3-0186dd4febcb" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_b842c65c-7353-483d-9d23-5d74211c98c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_12899a13-275e-453d-8c31-7b44091e872a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_b842c65c-7353-483d-9d23-5d74211c98c5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_6d97742c-07da-42fd-9332-cfc6e5d82a9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/LossPerShareDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#LossPerShareDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/LossPerShareDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019d023b-33e5-7191-b81a-f5b00da81e2f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_019d0236-6f1c-7c09-9fdc-893948d6b27b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019d023b-33e5-7191-b81a-f5b00da81e2f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_019d0236-6f1c-7c09-9fdc-893948d6b27b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019d0236-b305-76a5-8f32-2aafd134c164" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_019d0236-6f1c-7c09-9fdc-893948d6b27b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019d0236-b305-76a5-8f32-2aafd134c164" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019d0236-b305-76a5-8f32-2aafd134c164_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019d0236-b305-76a5-8f32-2aafd134c164" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019d0236-b305-76a5-8f32-2aafd134c164_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019d0236-e9a0-7352-832e-12101993216c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019d0236-b305-76a5-8f32-2aafd134c164" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019d0236-e9a0-7352-832e-12101993216c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_AfterReverseStockSplitMember_019d0237-fe40-7de7-b669-e45e17e00dfe" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_AfterReverseStockSplitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019d0236-e9a0-7352-832e-12101993216c" xlink:to="loc_ndls_AfterReverseStockSplitMember_019d0237-fe40-7de7-b669-e45e17e00dfe" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_566ecc4b-f609-4c5d-95c1-9812f699f8a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019d023b-33e5-7191-b81a-f5b00da81e2f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_566ecc4b-f609-4c5d-95c1-9812f699f8a1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingDilutedDisclosureItemsAbstract_b0ff2b65-f40a-4fcf-af2c-f6ec3b35f663" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingDilutedDisclosureItemsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019d023b-33e5-7191-b81a-f5b00da81e2f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingDilutedDisclosureItemsAbstract_b0ff2b65-f40a-4fcf-af2c-f6ec3b35f663" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_98dc6571-a80c-4aaf-9511-4129dc71edda" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingDilutedDisclosureItemsAbstract_b0ff2b65-f40a-4fcf-af2c-f6ec3b35f663" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_98dc6571-a80c-4aaf-9511-4129dc71edda" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements_096fbdfb-34b3-4470-be37-fc740520cb85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingDilutedDisclosureItemsAbstract_b0ff2b65-f40a-4fcf-af2c-f6ec3b35f663" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements_096fbdfb-34b3-4470-be37-fc740520cb85" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_639e6974-cc0b-4337-82e0-f589bd5053df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingDilutedDisclosureItemsAbstract_b0ff2b65-f40a-4fcf-af2c-f6ec3b35f663" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_639e6974-cc0b-4337-82e0-f589bd5053df" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedEPSAbstract_6a44822f-728f-4cb6-bb65-94f404941a48" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedEPSAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019d023b-33e5-7191-b81a-f5b00da81e2f" xlink:to="loc_ndls_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedEPSAbstract_6a44822f-728f-4cb6-bb65-94f404941a48" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_32dd134e-aa90-4101-9cd3-2c281c28de5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ndls_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedEPSAbstract_6a44822f-728f-4cb6-bb65-94f404941a48" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_32dd134e-aa90-4101-9cd3-2c281c28de5c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_18764398-158f-40b1-8919-2b2cdf840c6f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ndls_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedEPSAbstract_6a44822f-728f-4cb6-bb65-94f404941a48" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_18764398-158f-40b1-8919-2b2cdf840c6f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_2dbc9f3f-a0f7-4a5b-a90e-683953f554f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019d023b-33e5-7191-b81a-f5b00da81e2f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_2dbc9f3f-a0f7-4a5b-a90e-683953f554f8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#EmployeeBenefitPlansDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_88be01c9-9532-45fb-9818-11293d881b1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTable_11d9d6e7-49fa-4671-a359-a2e380bb798a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_88be01c9-9532-45fb-9818-11293d881b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTable_11d9d6e7-49fa-4671-a359-a2e380bb798a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_d92f63f4-7ba0-4e2b-b0bf-4f33ccd40f47" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTable_11d9d6e7-49fa-4671-a359-a2e380bb798a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_d92f63f4-7ba0-4e2b-b0bf-4f33ccd40f47" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_d92f63f4-7ba0-4e2b-b0bf-4f33ccd40f47_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_d92f63f4-7ba0-4e2b-b0bf-4f33ccd40f47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_d92f63f4-7ba0-4e2b-b0bf-4f33ccd40f47_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_fb82301f-3b27-4fa0-b419-777a1f4c003a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_d92f63f4-7ba0-4e2b-b0bf-4f33ccd40f47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_fb82301f-3b27-4fa0-b419-777a1f4c003a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember_e3a6ed9c-23fa-4bdd-b2e0-3d88222e30ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_fb82301f-3b27-4fa0-b419-777a1f4c003a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember_e3a6ed9c-23fa-4bdd-b2e0-3d88222e30ce" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_AccruedExpensesandOtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember_487b568c-b209-484a-a1e2-738e5807ccd4" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_AccruedExpensesandOtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_fb82301f-3b27-4fa0-b419-777a1f4c003a" xlink:to="loc_ndls_AccruedExpensesandOtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember_487b568c-b209-484a-a1e2-738e5807ccd4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_96ab978c-a696-4097-914e-12ecd4a35711" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTable_11d9d6e7-49fa-4671-a359-a2e380bb798a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_96ab978c-a696-4097-914e-12ecd4a35711" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_96ab978c-a696-4097-914e-12ecd4a35711_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_96ab978c-a696-4097-914e-12ecd4a35711" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_96ab978c-a696-4097-914e-12ecd4a35711_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_25d65fe3-ef89-4838-9e82-5bcc69f111c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_96ab978c-a696-4097-914e-12ecd4a35711" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_25d65fe3-ef89-4838-9e82-5bcc69f111c2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember_7ae554f0-f5f6-49de-ae59-c093d109651b" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_25d65fe3-ef89-4838-9e82-5bcc69f111c2" xlink:to="loc_ndls_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember_7ae554f0-f5f6-49de-ae59-c093d109651b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019d022c-3feb-7773-86a7-f736d7c72b47" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTable_11d9d6e7-49fa-4671-a359-a2e380bb798a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019d022c-3feb-7773-86a7-f736d7c72b47" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019d022c-3feb-7773-86a7-f736d7c72b47_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019d022c-3feb-7773-86a7-f736d7c72b47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019d022c-3feb-7773-86a7-f736d7c72b47_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019d022c-73f7-799c-8c32-ad8319fd52d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019d022c-3feb-7773-86a7-f736d7c72b47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019d022c-73f7-799c-8c32-ad8319fd52d1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019d022c-a006-7d48-bcba-3e830663c0df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019d022c-73f7-799c-8c32-ad8319fd52d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019d022c-a006-7d48-bcba-3e830663c0df" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019d022c-f6e6-741c-a06c-3b94cdb0e7d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTable_11d9d6e7-49fa-4671-a359-a2e380bb798a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019d022c-f6e6-741c-a06c-3b94cdb0e7d5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019d022c-f6e6-741c-a06c-3b94cdb0e7d5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019d022c-f6e6-741c-a06c-3b94cdb0e7d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019d022c-f6e6-741c-a06c-3b94cdb0e7d5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019d022d-1fb2-7b6c-b183-a3248a72b82d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019d022c-f6e6-741c-a06c-3b94cdb0e7d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019d022d-1fb2-7b6c-b183-a3248a72b82d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_019d022d-4646-7796-aee5-b2975ab314ba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019d022d-1fb2-7b6c-b183-a3248a72b82d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_019d022d-4646-7796-aee5-b2975ab314ba" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_DefinedContributionPlanRequiredEmployeeAge_aa4acffc-2933-4419-839b-5c41932627ca" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_DefinedContributionPlanRequiredEmployeeAge"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_88be01c9-9532-45fb-9818-11293d881b1d" xlink:to="loc_ndls_DefinedContributionPlanRequiredEmployeeAge_aa4acffc-2933-4419-839b-5c41932627ca" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_DefinedBenefitPlanPercentageofParticipantsContributionsVested_94425ed0-7a85-406e-94f7-0b7aa0fddc58" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_DefinedBenefitPlanPercentageofParticipantsContributionsVested"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_88be01c9-9532-45fb-9818-11293d881b1d" xlink:to="loc_ndls_DefinedBenefitPlanPercentageofParticipantsContributionsVested_94425ed0-7a85-406e-94f7-0b7aa0fddc58" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercentOfMatch_ac97384b-63a6-401e-9f5d-91c2743097fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercentOfMatch"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_88be01c9-9532-45fb-9818-11293d881b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercentOfMatch_ac97384b-63a6-401e-9f5d-91c2743097fe" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionEmployeeDeferredCompensationPercentForMatch_c6e40d88-c462-4185-9019-7bcbe5d52260" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionEmployeeDeferredCompensationPercentForMatch"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_88be01c9-9532-45fb-9818-11293d881b1d" xlink:to="loc_ndls_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionEmployeeDeferredCompensationPercentForMatch_c6e40d88-c462-4185-9019-7bcbe5d52260" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount_352d71ed-75ab-49eb-98c0-322397e383e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_88be01c9-9532-45fb-9818-11293d881b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount_352d71ed-75ab-49eb-98c0-322397e383e9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_DeferredCompensationPlanAssetFairValueDisclosure_02d96602-1d25-4526-8e10-5e67bf5ca8fa" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_DeferredCompensationPlanAssetFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_88be01c9-9532-45fb-9818-11293d881b1d" xlink:to="loc_ndls_DeferredCompensationPlanAssetFairValueDisclosure_02d96602-1d25-4526-8e10-5e67bf5ca8fa" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_DeferredCompensationPlanLiabilityFairValueDisclosure_b0fe6b7f-0b31-4cf0-832f-2501a1afe9c6" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_DeferredCompensationPlanLiabilityFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_88be01c9-9532-45fb-9818-11293d881b1d" xlink:to="loc_ndls_DeferredCompensationPlanLiabilityFairValueDisclosure_b0fe6b7f-0b31-4cf0-832f-2501a1afe9c6" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumEmployeeSubscriptionRate_d50eb481-6e48-4714-b4d7-18da2e0ca0b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumEmployeeSubscriptionRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_88be01c9-9532-45fb-9818-11293d881b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumEmployeeSubscriptionRate_d50eb481-6e48-4714-b4d7-18da2e0ca0b4" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDiscountFromMarketPriceOfferingDate_5cd0e8d5-c691-4faa-84bd-6fdc4fe67516" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDiscountFromMarketPriceOfferingDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_88be01c9-9532-45fb-9818-11293d881b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDiscountFromMarketPriceOfferingDate_5cd0e8d5-c691-4faa-84bd-6fdc4fe67516" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDiscountFromMarketPricePurchaseDate_f2e2f89f-bef9-48e3-92b7-5364280f7807" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDiscountFromMarketPricePurchaseDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_88be01c9-9532-45fb-9818-11293d881b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDiscountFromMarketPricePurchaseDate_f2e2f89f-bef9-48e3-92b7-5364280f7807" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_18453124-d2f8-46b4-9309-870032db93e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_88be01c9-9532-45fb-9818-11293d881b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_18453124-d2f8-46b4-9309-870032db93e2" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans_09186174-e6ff-48b2-96fe-6bcd3661a9b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_88be01c9-9532-45fb-9818-11293d881b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans_09186174-e6ff-48b2-96fe-6bcd3661a9b3" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance_c1e10c2d-eef5-4592-8161-bfc8d42c548c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_88be01c9-9532-45fb-9818-11293d881b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance_c1e10c2d-eef5-4592-8161-bfc8d42c548c" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1_019d022a-5b7b-7706-9aab-ba03db7a45a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_88be01c9-9532-45fb-9818-11293d881b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1_019d022a-5b7b-7706-9aab-ba03db7a45a3" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate_b4c1d9c1-d769-4dfc-bbfa-c80e7c6ce469" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_88be01c9-9532-45fb-9818-11293d881b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate_b4c1d9c1-d769-4dfc-bbfa-c80e7c6ce469" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1_43a04a0d-3b23-4ec2-9d3d-cf40a91080cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_88be01c9-9532-45fb-9818-11293d881b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1_43a04a0d-3b23-4ec2-9d3d-cf40a91080cc" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate_13461e59-5a66-44e7-a511-b336faa3b71b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_88be01c9-9532-45fb-9818-11293d881b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate_13461e59-5a66-44e7-a511-b336faa3b71b" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate_d1ea39fb-0d2f-4673-8179-77740ae6a1a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_88be01c9-9532-45fb-9818-11293d881b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate_d1ea39fb-0d2f-4673-8179-77740ae6a1a4" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_f08b46f9-1514-4f65-8977-3dec23af0648" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_88be01c9-9532-45fb-9818-11293d881b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_f08b46f9-1514-4f65-8977-3dec23af0648" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_ae9989a2-cdce-4546-b21f-faabf309ab1a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_88be01c9-9532-45fb-9818-11293d881b1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_ae9989a2-cdce-4546-b21f-faabf309ab1a" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/LeasesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#LeasesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/LeasesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_52a82bdf-570e-4da1-9a89-83c1d9a2bc49" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_8b39b908-4af6-4cf5-925e-8041ee98f936" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_52a82bdf-570e-4da1-9a89-83c1d9a2bc49" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_8b39b908-4af6-4cf5-925e-8041ee98f936" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_1aa98ec4-be2d-4f4f-882a-24fa3db302e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_8b39b908-4af6-4cf5-925e-8041ee98f936" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_1aa98ec4-be2d-4f4f-882a-24fa3db302e0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_1aa98ec4-be2d-4f4f-882a-24fa3db302e0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_1aa98ec4-be2d-4f4f-882a-24fa3db302e0" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_1aa98ec4-be2d-4f4f-882a-24fa3db302e0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_9f662c30-adc9-4a74-b870-28c23db760d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_1aa98ec4-be2d-4f4f-882a-24fa3db302e0" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_9f662c30-adc9-4a74-b870-28c23db760d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_5932ffd4-d1c5-44c7-9185-46ba9fdeb1fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_9f662c30-adc9-4a74-b870-28c23db760d0" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_5932ffd4-d1c5-44c7-9185-46ba9fdeb1fd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_a547f391-6221-42fa-b02f-4c959035da35" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_9f662c30-adc9-4a74-b870-28c23db760d0" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_a547f391-6221-42fa-b02f-4c959035da35" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseTermOfContract_515e8099-5e95-45e7-b01d-723a9d81fd3c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseTermOfContract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_52a82bdf-570e-4da1-9a89-83c1d9a2bc49" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseTermOfContract_515e8099-5e95-45e7-b01d-723a9d81fd3c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm_f1429e79-ab62-4c3d-bc96-5e1446c5a23b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_52a82bdf-570e-4da1-9a89-83c1d9a2bc49" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm_f1429e79-ab62-4c3d-bc96-5e1446c5a23b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseExpense_5dbcbce4-ac2b-4951-a6f6-ecc9a0a9980e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_52a82bdf-570e-4da1-9a89-83c1d9a2bc49" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseExpense_5dbcbce4-ac2b-4951-a6f6-ecc9a0a9980e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseImpairmentLoss_114d8568-4105-4c77-ae3b-559377bb5237" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseImpairmentLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_52a82bdf-570e-4da1-9a89-83c1d9a2bc49" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseImpairmentLoss_114d8568-4105-4c77-ae3b-559377bb5237" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_OperatingLeaseOptionToExtendLeaseTerm_d38d6d88-aa9a-4a29-847a-88c8eacfde08" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_OperatingLeaseOptionToExtendLeaseTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_52a82bdf-570e-4da1-9a89-83c1d9a2bc49" xlink:to="loc_ndls_OperatingLeaseOptionToExtendLeaseTerm_d38d6d88-aa9a-4a29-847a-88c8eacfde08" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_OperatingLeaseMinimumLeasePaymentsSignedButNotYetCommenced_5ac7963c-45d1-4aee-b2e3-9e57730b34fe" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_OperatingLeaseMinimumLeasePaymentsSignedButNotYetCommenced"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_52a82bdf-570e-4da1-9a89-83c1d9a2bc49" xlink:to="loc_ndls_OperatingLeaseMinimumLeasePaymentsSignedButNotYetCommenced_5ac7963c-45d1-4aee-b2e3-9e57730b34fe" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_61889806-f6ac-4ad9-b04c-b4e17f2d1ecd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_a8b626a3-247a-4527-971e-ac78c7678390" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_61889806-f6ac-4ad9-b04c-b4e17f2d1ecd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_a8b626a3-247a-4527-971e-ac78c7678390" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_98f3a237-f3ea-43d0-ab58-7b976be726f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_a8b626a3-247a-4527-971e-ac78c7678390" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_98f3a237-f3ea-43d0-ab58-7b976be726f7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_98f3a237-f3ea-43d0-ab58-7b976be726f7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_98f3a237-f3ea-43d0-ab58-7b976be726f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_98f3a237-f3ea-43d0-ab58-7b976be726f7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_2b66aacc-7f94-4c9d-93d5-486660cd6ec6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_98f3a237-f3ea-43d0-ab58-7b976be726f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_2b66aacc-7f94-4c9d-93d5-486660cd6ec6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_SecuritiesPurchaseAgreementMember_3410c1c2-9975-4da9-a5aa-fcbbaa655fbb" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_SecuritiesPurchaseAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_2b66aacc-7f94-4c9d-93d5-486660cd6ec6" xlink:to="loc_ndls_SecuritiesPurchaseAgreementMember_3410c1c2-9975-4da9-a5aa-fcbbaa655fbb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_SupportAgreementMember_63e1cd30-9410-43ba-9e8d-01d19af90719" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_SupportAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_2b66aacc-7f94-4c9d-93d5-486660cd6ec6" xlink:to="loc_ndls_SupportAgreementMember_63e1cd30-9410-43ba-9e8d-01d19af90719" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_9053056c-dd97-4f9d-9e90-6d4c3892526a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_a8b626a3-247a-4527-971e-ac78c7678390" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_9053056c-dd97-4f9d-9e90-6d4c3892526a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_9053056c-dd97-4f9d-9e90-6d4c3892526a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_9053056c-dd97-4f9d-9e90-6d4c3892526a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_9053056c-dd97-4f9d-9e90-6d4c3892526a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_e7863dce-04d8-4a66-8274-39660fcc0341" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_9053056c-dd97-4f9d-9e90-6d4c3892526a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_e7863dce-04d8-4a66-8274-39660fcc0341" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_MillRoadCapitalIIL.P.Member_adaf7759-cf6a-40ca-86b5-61051970fcbc" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_MillRoadCapitalIIL.P.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_e7863dce-04d8-4a66-8274-39660fcc0341" xlink:to="loc_ndls_MillRoadCapitalIIL.P.Member_adaf7759-cf6a-40ca-86b5-61051970fcbc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_HoakMember_ef1761e7-d896-47f2-9162-fa4643a513e1" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_HoakMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_e7863dce-04d8-4a66-8274-39660fcc0341" xlink:to="loc_ndls_HoakMember_ef1761e7-d896-47f2-9162-fa4643a513e1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_SecuritiesPurchaseAgreementStockOwnershipThresholdForBoardMemberDesignation_7b12d345-f590-458f-9a9e-a98887f455be" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_SecuritiesPurchaseAgreementStockOwnershipThresholdForBoardMemberDesignation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_61889806-f6ac-4ad9-b04c-b4e17f2d1ecd" xlink:to="loc_ndls_SecuritiesPurchaseAgreementStockOwnershipThresholdForBoardMemberDesignation_7b12d345-f590-458f-9a9e-a98887f455be" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_StandstillAgreementPeriod_c3d1d1bf-5c27-488e-8cc6-4dd5fc1fad1b" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_StandstillAgreementPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_61889806-f6ac-4ad9-b04c-b4e17f2d1ecd" xlink:to="loc_ndls_StandstillAgreementPeriod_c3d1d1bf-5c27-488e-8cc6-4dd5fc1fad1b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_PeriodAfterAppointeeCeasesToServeAsDirector_51e2599a-7b93-4e83-aee7-1de5fcacfe7b" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_PeriodAfterAppointeeCeasesToServeAsDirector"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_61889806-f6ac-4ad9-b04c-b4e17f2d1ecd" xlink:to="loc_ndls_PeriodAfterAppointeeCeasesToServeAsDirector_51e2599a-7b93-4e83-aee7-1de5fcacfe7b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_BoardOfDirectorsTermOfService_019d0223-6e59-7a95-84cd-e9bdd8dc0848" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_BoardOfDirectorsTermOfService"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_61889806-f6ac-4ad9-b04c-b4e17f2d1ecd" xlink:to="loc_ndls_BoardOfDirectorsTermOfService_019d0223-6e59-7a95-84cd-e9bdd8dc0848" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/RevenueRecognitionNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#RevenueRecognitionNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/RevenueRecognitionNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_335c4daa-6940-4947-956d-1e240f86fe48" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_9e7444a1-db59-41b5-b2df-d22851179ece" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_335c4daa-6940-4947-956d-1e240f86fe48" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_9e7444a1-db59-41b5-b2df-d22851179ece" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_a38b66c6-694f-45db-980a-170109b58da4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_9e7444a1-db59-41b5-b2df-d22851179ece" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_a38b66c6-694f-45db-980a-170109b58da4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_a38b66c6-694f-45db-980a-170109b58da4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_a38b66c6-694f-45db-980a-170109b58da4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_a38b66c6-694f-45db-980a-170109b58da4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_e4d58ab9-91d1-4285-8944-eeea76b64e0d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_a38b66c6-694f-45db-980a-170109b58da4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_e4d58ab9-91d1-4285-8944-eeea76b64e0d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_AccruedExpensesandOtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember_5ec02d9f-5d53-4414-b125-61a24e32aca1" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_AccruedExpensesandOtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_e4d58ab9-91d1-4285-8944-eeea76b64e0d" xlink:to="loc_ndls_AccruedExpensesandOtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember_5ec02d9f-5d53-4414-b125-61a24e32aca1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_OtherLongtermLiabilitiesMember_b80eebf3-f410-4102-8755-1a338cd4467b" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_OtherLongtermLiabilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_e4d58ab9-91d1-4285-8944-eeea76b64e0d" xlink:to="loc_ndls_OtherLongtermLiabilitiesMember_b80eebf3-f410-4102-8755-1a338cd4467b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_4c769566-2607-4707-b737-a5d55a25ff8f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_9e7444a1-db59-41b5-b2df-d22851179ece" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_4c769566-2607-4707-b737-a5d55a25ff8f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_4c769566-2607-4707-b737-a5d55a25ff8f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_4c769566-2607-4707-b737-a5d55a25ff8f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_4c769566-2607-4707-b737-a5d55a25ff8f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_03eb8435-9bf2-4dd7-8a62-3878a15678ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_4c769566-2607-4707-b737-a5d55a25ff8f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_03eb8435-9bf2-4dd7-8a62-3878a15678ea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_FeesFromFranchiseeMember_b923248c-e1d2-4c52-92d0-e32417a16c14" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_FeesFromFranchiseeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_03eb8435-9bf2-4dd7-8a62-3878a15678ea" xlink:to="loc_ndls_FeesFromFranchiseeMember_b923248c-e1d2-4c52-92d0-e32417a16c14" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_ContractWithCustomerGiftCardLiabilityCurrent_a3f5b335-8bd0-403a-b1da-1c063bf1ac0b" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_ContractWithCustomerGiftCardLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_335c4daa-6940-4947-956d-1e240f86fe48" xlink:to="loc_ndls_ContractWithCustomerGiftCardLiabilityCurrent_a3f5b335-8bd0-403a-b1da-1c063bf1ac0b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_ContractWithCustomerGiftCardLiabilityNoncurrent_a0abcd53-76db-43e3-b8c4-c4a18cb53e88" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_ContractWithCustomerGiftCardLiabilityNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_335c4daa-6940-4947-956d-1e240f86fe48" xlink:to="loc_ndls_ContractWithCustomerGiftCardLiabilityNoncurrent_a0abcd53-76db-43e3-b8c4-c4a18cb53e88" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_ContractWithCustomerGiftCardLiabilityIncludingNewContractRevenueRecognized_59673a10-919b-4ccf-96e9-b7bd68436253" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_ContractWithCustomerGiftCardLiabilityIncludingNewContractRevenueRecognized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_335c4daa-6940-4947-956d-1e240f86fe48" xlink:to="loc_ndls_ContractWithCustomerGiftCardLiabilityIncludingNewContractRevenueRecognized_59673a10-919b-4ccf-96e9-b7bd68436253" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_ContractwithCustomerLiabilityGiftCardBreakage_5728d82d-af84-4a80-ac9d-3a925b222969" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_ContractwithCustomerLiabilityGiftCardBreakage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_335c4daa-6940-4947-956d-1e240f86fe48" xlink:to="loc_ndls_ContractwithCustomerLiabilityGiftCardBreakage_5728d82d-af84-4a80-ac9d-3a925b222969" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_ContractWithCustomerPeriodinWhichInitialFeesReceivedfromFranchiseeswillbeRecognizedasRevenue_e27bb065-dc12-46e0-9418-f7cc9f34915e" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_ContractWithCustomerPeriodinWhichInitialFeesReceivedfromFranchiseeswillbeRecognizedasRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_335c4daa-6940-4947-956d-1e240f86fe48" xlink:to="loc_ndls_ContractWithCustomerPeriodinWhichInitialFeesReceivedfromFranchiseeswillbeRecognizedasRevenue_e27bb065-dc12-46e0-9418-f7cc9f34915e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized_d33188b3-29bc-4c1c-8519-8a6b66c8d29a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_335c4daa-6940-4947-956d-1e240f86fe48" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized_d33188b3-29bc-4c1c-8519-8a6b66c8d29a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent_f6faca9c-1c4d-4b66-81b4-edb7a4ce7682" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_335c4daa-6940-4947-956d-1e240f86fe48" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent_f6faca9c-1c4d-4b66-81b4-edb7a4ce7682" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/RevenueRecognitionPerformanceObligationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#RevenueRecognitionPerformanceObligationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/RevenueRecognitionPerformanceObligationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_cc8cf782-2781-42f0-aea3-f7960f387502" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_572dc7ad-1a6b-4bea-a655-46f24d4af15b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_cc8cf782-2781-42f0-aea3-f7960f387502" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_572dc7ad-1a6b-4bea-a655-46f24d4af15b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_cea13d5e-df54-48c1-86dd-ddf995827694" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_572dc7ad-1a6b-4bea-a655-46f24d4af15b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_cea13d5e-df54-48c1-86dd-ddf995827694" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_19fb240a-08e7-4c93-86f2-02806707fca4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_cc8cf782-2781-42f0-aea3-f7960f387502" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_19fb240a-08e7-4c93-86f2-02806707fca4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_1c82a4d4-450c-4da9-bb91-a2664b772486" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_cc8cf782-2781-42f0-aea3-f7960f387502" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_1c82a4d4-450c-4da9-bb91-a2664b772486" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/RevenueRecognitionPerformanceObligationDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#RevenueRecognitionPerformanceObligationDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/RevenueRecognitionPerformanceObligationDetails_1" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_cc8cf782-2781-42f0-aea3-f7960f387502" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_572dc7ad-1a6b-4bea-a655-46f24d4af15b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_cc8cf782-2781-42f0-aea3-f7960f387502" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_572dc7ad-1a6b-4bea-a655-46f24d4af15b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_19fb240a-08e7-4c93-86f2-02806707fca4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_cc8cf782-2781-42f0-aea3-f7960f387502" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_19fb240a-08e7-4c93-86f2-02806707fca4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_1c82a4d4-450c-4da9-bb91-a2664b772486" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_cc8cf782-2781-42f0-aea3-f7960f387502" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_1c82a4d4-450c-4da9-bb91-a2664b772486" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/SegmentReportingRevenueandAssetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#SegmentReportingRevenueandAssetsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/SegmentReportingRevenueandAssetsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_1ca6213f-b739-4682-af99-be1e85529f6c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_f6083a47-7306-4c9b-97e7-2e110f7e7f33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_1ca6213f-b739-4682-af99-be1e85529f6c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_f6083a47-7306-4c9b-97e7-2e110f7e7f33" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_5fba4564-6a9e-4b7d-94c5-d21f7792350f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_f6083a47-7306-4c9b-97e7-2e110f7e7f33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_5fba4564-6a9e-4b7d-94c5-d21f7792350f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5fba4564-6a9e-4b7d-94c5-d21f7792350f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_5fba4564-6a9e-4b7d-94c5-d21f7792350f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5fba4564-6a9e-4b7d-94c5-d21f7792350f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_461575c0-0dcb-4eb0-8a3b-bf2147fc91c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_5fba4564-6a9e-4b7d-94c5-d21f7792350f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_461575c0-0dcb-4eb0-8a3b-bf2147fc91c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_ReportableSegmentMember_58295eb3-20ca-417f-a2fa-aee18b2b7dda" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_ReportableSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_461575c0-0dcb-4eb0-8a3b-bf2147fc91c3" xlink:to="loc_ndls_ReportableSegmentMember_58295eb3-20ca-417f-a2fa-aee18b2b7dda" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_eee343ee-948a-4e54-800c-317a658bf6fc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_f6083a47-7306-4c9b-97e7-2e110f7e7f33" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_eee343ee-948a-4e54-800c-317a658bf6fc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_eee343ee-948a-4e54-800c-317a658bf6fc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_eee343ee-948a-4e54-800c-317a658bf6fc" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_eee343ee-948a-4e54-800c-317a658bf6fc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2620d16e-07fb-4bbc-9a69-3121bb920d37" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_eee343ee-948a-4e54-800c-317a658bf6fc" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2620d16e-07fb-4bbc-9a69-3121bb920d37" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FoodAndBeverageMember_073d3fce-b621-4ffb-883c-b35f8427802d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FoodAndBeverageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2620d16e-07fb-4bbc-9a69-3121bb920d37" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FoodAndBeverageMember_073d3fce-b621-4ffb-883c-b35f8427802d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FranchiseMember_c4a803d8-08b9-4281-94b4-58ff897aa1e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FranchiseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2620d16e-07fb-4bbc-9a69-3121bb920d37" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FranchiseMember_c4a803d8-08b9-4281-94b4-58ff897aa1e9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_LaborMember_a09a8bca-d93b-4ddd-ac44-d79b3135f79e" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_LaborMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2620d16e-07fb-4bbc-9a69-3121bb920d37" xlink:to="loc_ndls_LaborMember_a09a8bca-d93b-4ddd-ac44-d79b3135f79e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_RestaurantOccupancyMember_e401bb89-15e7-4d07-a5d1-d61df78684ea" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_RestaurantOccupancyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2620d16e-07fb-4bbc-9a69-3121bb920d37" xlink:to="loc_ndls_RestaurantOccupancyMember_e401bb89-15e7-4d07-a5d1-d61df78684ea" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_1e442f09-ada8-4c30-a1fc-6b96fc0ec709" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_1ca6213f-b739-4682-af99-be1e85529f6c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_1e442f09-ada8-4c30-a1fc-6b96fc0ec709" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_625ff619-19da-4c09-b183-3a958cfcf14e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_1ca6213f-b739-4682-af99-be1e85529f6c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_625ff619-19da-4c09-b183-3a958cfcf14e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServiceExcludingDepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_a7ddc5a0-efa4-4aae-85d5-089c9a66f683" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServiceExcludingDepreciationDepletionAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_625ff619-19da-4c09-b183-3a958cfcf14e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServiceExcludingDepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_a7ddc5a0-efa4-4aae-85d5-089c9a66f683" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostOfOperatingRevenue_40037ed8-c572-4db5-9410-f57f277197b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCostOfOperatingRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_625ff619-19da-4c09-b183-3a958cfcf14e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostOfOperatingRevenue_40037ed8-c572-4db5-9410-f57f277197b1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_ea293c97-d88a-401b-8926-5bc3c829aa05" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_625ff619-19da-4c09-b183-3a958cfcf14e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_ea293c97-d88a-401b-8926-5bc3c829aa05" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_01c53d31-78db-45c1-8941-8865bfb00d33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_625ff619-19da-4c09-b183-3a958cfcf14e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_01c53d31-78db-45c1-8941-8865bfb00d33" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreOpeningCosts_b3e66d1f-cc36-42df-b7ad-c99d6b46fae6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PreOpeningCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_625ff619-19da-4c09-b183-3a958cfcf14e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreOpeningCosts_b3e66d1f-cc36-42df-b7ad-c99d6b46fae6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_AssetDisposalsClosureCostsandRestaurantImpairments_a4bb54b9-63b9-474d-9907-55aecd5f18fd" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_AssetDisposalsClosureCostsandRestaurantImpairments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_625ff619-19da-4c09-b183-3a958cfcf14e" xlink:to="loc_ndls_AssetDisposalsClosureCostsandRestaurantImpairments_a4bb54b9-63b9-474d-9907-55aecd5f18fd" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_3dcc4aa3-c38e-4129-adc9-588ecf2e23a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_1ca6213f-b739-4682-af99-be1e85529f6c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_3dcc4aa3-c38e-4129-adc9-588ecf2e23a2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_25444d6e-4a97-4da7-acbd-7fcdae67452a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_1ca6213f-b739-4682-af99-be1e85529f6c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_25444d6e-4a97-4da7-acbd-7fcdae67452a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_0cf3a0aa-f0b9-4d16-8a9e-4e96f585756f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_1ca6213f-b739-4682-af99-be1e85529f6c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_0cf3a0aa-f0b9-4d16-8a9e-4e96f585756f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_ef3ca2e7-e6d2-437b-8fa6-5ce73bf9b744" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_1ca6213f-b739-4682-af99-be1e85529f6c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_ef3ca2e7-e6d2-437b-8fa6-5ce73bf9b744" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets_6d4120d0-d1e8-491a-8b98-e94b6a5efc1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_1ca6213f-b739-4682-af99-be1e85529f6c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets_6d4120d0-d1e8-491a-8b98-e94b6a5efc1d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_acb17766-2610-44f3-93ba-0bb753d58fcd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_1ca6213f-b739-4682-af99-be1e85529f6c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_acb17766-2610-44f3-93ba-0bb753d58fcd" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.noodles.com/role/SubsequentEventDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#SubsequentEventDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.noodles.com/role/SubsequentEventDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_ad5f82ee-f935-4d82-9c35-a22e8ed23fe2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_50f7cee7-e9ab-46a3-8d46-bc530f9948e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_ad5f82ee-f935-4d82-9c35-a22e8ed23fe2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_50f7cee7-e9ab-46a3-8d46-bc530f9948e9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_03882feb-96fe-4935-a48d-901c46e44855" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_50f7cee7-e9ab-46a3-8d46-bc530f9948e9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_03882feb-96fe-4935-a48d-901c46e44855" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_03882feb-96fe-4935-a48d-901c46e44855_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_03882feb-96fe-4935-a48d-901c46e44855" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_03882feb-96fe-4935-a48d-901c46e44855_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_714ef6f7-dc54-46d4-9e6a-bc99e687db23" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_03882feb-96fe-4935-a48d-901c46e44855" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_714ef6f7-dc54-46d4-9e6a-bc99e687db23" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_cd1d54c8-ceaf-41c3-947f-becef482086b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_714ef6f7-dc54-46d4-9e6a-bc99e687db23" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_cd1d54c8-ceaf-41c3-947f-becef482086b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019d0215-f4e4-7ab9-a3c2-207b1d572d0c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_50f7cee7-e9ab-46a3-8d46-bc530f9948e9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019d0215-f4e4-7ab9-a3c2-207b1d572d0c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019d0215-f4e4-7ab9-a3c2-207b1d572d0c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019d0215-f4e4-7ab9-a3c2-207b1d572d0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019d0215-f4e4-7ab9-a3c2-207b1d572d0c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019d0216-2337-7ba9-b387-5f5f8cdca553" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019d0215-f4e4-7ab9-a3c2-207b1d572d0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019d0216-2337-7ba9-b387-5f5f8cdca553" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_019d0216-6ca7-71d5-a103-f7f6008e4f57" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019d0216-2337-7ba9-b387-5f5f8cdca553" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_019d0216-6ca7-71d5-a103-f7f6008e4f57" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1_019d0214-4723-718a-88e3-5f2afc9d4922" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_ad5f82ee-f935-4d82-9c35-a22e8ed23fe2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1_019d0214-4723-718a-88e3-5f2afc9d4922" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/eedm/ExtensibleEnumerationLists" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-roles-2025.xsd#eedm"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/eedm/ExtensibleEnumerationLists" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ndls_AssetDisposalsClosureCostsandRestaurantImpairments_497314c5-3a31-4f78-9254-c6ac817b4ac8" xlink:href="ndls-20251230.xsd#ndls_AssetDisposalsClosureCostsandRestaurantImpairments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract" xlink:to="loc_ndls_AssetDisposalsClosureCostsandRestaurantImpairments_497314c5-3a31-4f78-9254-c6ac817b4ac8" xlink:type="arc" order="691"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization" xlink:type="arc" order="101"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent" xlink:type="arc" order="41"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
