📊 NDLS Key Takeaways
Is NOODLES & Co (NDLS) a Good Investment?
Noodles & Co faces critical financial distress with negative shareholders equity (-$45.3M), severely strained liquidity (0.31x current ratio with $1.3M cash), and unprofitable operations generating -8.6% net margin. Negative free cash flow, flat revenue growth (0.4% YoY), declining earnings (-17.5% YoY), and high debt leverage ($108.8M) create an unsustainable trajectory with minimal financial cushion.
Noodles & Co is posting persistent operating and net losses with negative shareholders’ equity, severe liquidity constraints, and insufficient interest coverage. Revenue growth is flat and free cash flow is negative, limiting internal capacity to fund a turnaround. Without rapid margin improvement and liquidity relief, financial risk dominates the outlook.
Why Buy NOODLES & Co Stock? NDLS Key Strengths
- Positive operating cash flow of $7.3M demonstrates ability to generate cash from core operations despite accounting losses
- Established revenue base of $495.1M indicates maintained market presence and operational infrastructure
- Current financial data (December 2025) reflects recent performance with 25 available metrics
- Stable revenue base (+0.4% YoY)
- Positive operating cash flow ($7.28M)
- FCF near breakeven (-1.0% margin) offers potential leverage to small efficiency gains
NDLS Stock Risks: NOODLES & Co Investment Risks
- Negative stockholders equity of -$45.3M indicates technical insolvency with liabilities ($307M) exceeding total assets ($261.7M)
- Critical liquidity crisis: 0.31x current ratio with only $1.3M cash reserves insufficient for operational needs
- Persistent unprofitability: -6.4% operating margin, -8.6% net margin, with negative free cash flow of -$5.1M
- Stalled growth: 0.4% YoY revenue growth with declining net income (-17.5% YoY) indicates deteriorating business trajectory
- Debt burden unsustainable: $108.8M long-term debt with negative interest coverage ratio (-5.2x) cannot be serviced from operations
- Severe liquidity pressure (current ratio 0.31x, quick 0.14x; cash $1.26M)
- Negative equity and leverage with inadequate interest coverage (-5.2x)
- Sustained and worsening losses (net income -$42.57M, -17.5% YoY)
Key Metrics to Watch
- Monthly cash burn rate and liquidity runway before potential covenant breach or default
- Operating cash flow stability and sustainability through operational improvements
- Revenue trend inflection point and unit-level economics by location
- Debt restructuring announcements and refinancing activities
- Interest coverage
- Liquidity (current/quick ratios and cash balance)
NOODLES & Co (NDLS) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios
💡 AI Analyst Insight
The current ratio below 1.0x warrants monitoring of short-term liquidity.
NDLS Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis
NDLS vs Consumer Sector: How NOODLES & Co Compares
How NOODLES & Co compares to Consumer sector averages
Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.
Is NOODLES & Co Stock Overvalued? NDLS Valuation Analysis 2026
Based on fundamental analysis, NOODLES & Co has mixed fundamental signals relative to the Consumer sector in 2026.
Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.
NOODLES & Co Balance Sheet: NDLS Debt, Cash & Liquidity
NDLS Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend
5-Year Trend Summary: NOODLES & Co's revenue has shown modest growth of 9% over the 5-year period. The most recent EPS of $-1.72 indicates the company is currently unprofitable.
NDLS Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance
NDLS Quarterly Earnings & Performance
| Quarter | Revenue | Net Income | EPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2025 | $122.1M | -$6.8M | $-0.15 |
| Q2 2025 | $126.4M | -$13.6M | $-0.30 |
| Q1 2025 | $121.4M | -$6.1M | $-0.14 |
| Q3 2024 | $122.8M | $700.0K | $0.02 |
| Q2 2024 | $125.2M | -$1.3M | $-0.03 |
| Q1 2024 | $121.4M | -$3.1M | $-0.07 |
| Q3 2023 | $127.9M | $700.0K | $0.02 |
| Q2 2023 | $125.2M | -$1.3M | $0.03 |
Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.
NOODLES & Co Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation
NDLS SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis
Access official SEC EDGAR filings for NOODLES & Co (CIK: 0001275158)
📋 Recent SEC Filings
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about NDLS
What is the AI rating for NDLS?
NOODLES & Co (NDLS) has a Combined AI Rating of STRONG SELL from Claude (STRONG SELL) and ChatGPT (STRONG SELL) with 88% combined confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.
What are NDLS's key strengths?
Claude: Positive operating cash flow of $7.3M demonstrates ability to generate cash from core operations despite accounting losses. Established revenue base of $495.1M indicates maintained market presence and operational infrastructure. ChatGPT: Stable revenue base (+0.4% YoY). Positive operating cash flow ($7.28M).
What are the risks of investing in NDLS?
Claude: Negative stockholders equity of -$45.3M indicates technical insolvency with liabilities ($307M) exceeding total assets ($261.7M). Critical liquidity crisis: 0.31x current ratio with only $1.3M cash reserves insufficient for operational needs. ChatGPT: Severe liquidity pressure (current ratio 0.31x, quick 0.14x; cash $1.26M). Negative equity and leverage with inadequate interest coverage (-5.2x).
What is NDLS's revenue and growth?
NOODLES & Co reported revenue of $495.1M.
Does NDLS pay dividends?
NOODLES & Co does not currently pay dividends.
Where can I find NDLS SEC filings?
Official SEC filings for NOODLES & Co (CIK: 0001275158) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.
What is NDLS's EPS?
NOODLES & Co has a diluted EPS of $-7.36.
How is the AI analysis conducted?
Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined rating reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.
Is NDLS a good stock to buy right now?
Based on our AI fundamental analysis in April 2026, NOODLES & Co has a STRONG SELL rating with 88% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above before making a decision. This is not investment advice.
Is NDLS stock overvalued or undervalued?
Valuation metrics for NDLS: ROE of N/A (sector avg: 18%), net margin of -8.6% (sector avg: 8%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.
Should I buy NDLS stock in 2026?
Our dual AI analysis gives NOODLES & Co a combined STRONG SELL rating for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability at or below sector average. Always conduct your own research.
What is NDLS's free cash flow?
NOODLES & Co's operating cash flow is $7.3M, with capital expenditures of $12.4M. FCF margin is -1.0%.
How does NDLS compare to other Consumer stocks?
Vs Consumer sector averages: Net margin -8.6% (avg: 8%), ROE N/A (avg: 18%), current ratio 0.31 (avg: 1.5).