Noodles & Company Announces Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Noodles & Company (Nasdaq: NDLS) reported Q2 2026 results for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. Revenue rose 0.5% to $127.0 million. Comparable restaurant sales increased 10.3%. Net loss narrowed to $4.0 million ($0.67 loss/share). Adjusted EBITDA rose 79% to $10.8 million. The company raised FY2026 guidance for revenue, margins and Adjusted EBITDA.
How this was made
The 30-second read
Why it matters
Q2 results show a material improvement in restaurant-level profitability and a large jump in Adjusted EBITDA, and management ties this to raised FY2026 guidance and expected debt reduction to at or below 3x Adjusted EBITDA.
Market read
Traders can update models based on the raised FY2026 revenue, margin, and Adjusted EBITDA ranges and the stated leverage target.
What to watch
Strategic alternatives review remains in process, and the article notes significant restaurant closures, which could affect future unit economics and execution risk.
Background
Noodles & Company initiated a strategic alternatives review in September 2025, including potential refinancing, refranchising, or sale of parts/all of the business.
Ticker impact
Noodles & Company reported Q2 results and raised FY2026 guidance, including revenue, restaurant contribution margin, and Adjusted EBITDA targets.
Likely positive near-term bias as guidance lift and margin recovery can re-rate the stock, though leverage and strategic-review overhang may cap upside.
The article provides specific Q2 datapoints (revenue up 0.5%, comparable sales up 10.3%, operating margin improving, Adjusted EBITDA up 79%) and explicit FY2026 guidance ranges plus a debt-paydown expectation.
Market effects
Supports a read-through that fast-casual operators can regain traffic and margin, potentially improving sentiment toward similarly positioned restaurant names.
No specific regional demand signal beyond company-wide comparable sales growth.
Primarily US-focused restaurant performance; limited direct global market linkage.
Counterpoint
The company still reports a net loss and has limited cash, so the guidance raise may be vulnerable if traffic or franchise performance softens.
Key entities
- companyNoodles & Company
Reported Q2 2026 financial results and raised fiscal 2026 guidance; expects year-end leverage at or below 3x 2026 Adjusted EBITDA.
- governanceBoard of Directors
In process of reviewing strategic alternatives that may include refinancing and refranchising or sale.
