NDLS stock forecast, quote, news & analysis
Noodles & Co is a restaurant concept offering lunch and dinner within the fast-casual segment of the restaurant industry... Show more
Noodles & Company (NDLS) Stock Analysis: Comp-Sales Momentum Meets a Turnaround Story
Key Takeaways
- Noodles & Company shares have climbed roughly 8% over the past 30 days, moving from a late-September close near $13.80 to about $14.96, while still trading below their late-July peak above $18.
- Comparable restaurant sales are the core driver: system-wide comps rose 9.1% in the first quarter of 2026 and 10.3% in the second quarter, extending a run of positive same-store sales.
- The turnaround is reshaping the store base, with management closing 30–35 company-owned locations in 2026 to boost average unit volumes and profitability.
- Margins and adjusted EBITDA have improved sharply, with second-quarter adjusted EBITDA up about 80% year over year and restaurant contribution margin expanding by more than 400 basis points.
- Key risks remain: a low cash balance, elevated debt, and an ongoing strategic-alternatives review the company announced in September 2025.
- For additional detail on valuation and catalysts, explore NDLS Price Targets, Earnings, and Forecast pages.
- Explore Trending AI Robots to see AI-driven trading strategies active on NDLS and thousands of other tickers.
Current Market Snapshot
Noodles & Company (NASDAQ: NDLS) has traded in a wide range over the past quarter. Shares surged in late July after stronger-than-expected second-quarter results, climbing from around $11 to an intraday high near $19 before retreating through August and September. Over the last 30 days, the stock has recovered modestly, rising from a late-September close of about $13.80 to roughly $14.96, a gain of about 8%.
That move leaves the shares well off their summer highs but reflects renewed investor focus on the company's improving comparable-sales trend and margin expansion. As a smaller-capitalization fast-casual operator with a narrow float, NDLS tends to be more volatile than larger restaurant peers, and trading activity has been amplified by the company's ongoing strategic review.
Noodles & Company (NDLS) Business Overview and Competitive Position
Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, Noodles & Company operates a fast-casual restaurant chain serving globally inspired noodle and pasta dishes. The system comprised roughly 400 restaurants—about 320 company-owned and 80 franchised—across 31 states as of early 2026, making it one of the more recognizable specialty brands in the competitive fast-casual dining space.
The company's menu spans dishes such as mac & cheese and Asian noodle bowls, supported by digital ordering, third-party delivery, and a loyalty program. Management has leaned on limited-time offers and menu refreshes to drive traffic and average check. Investors follow NDLS for its turnaround potential: the company is shrinking its footprint, lifting per-restaurant sales, and targeting debt reduction and positive free cash flow.
Recent Developments Driving NDLS
Several verified developments have shaped the stock over recent months. In late July, Noodles reported second-quarter 2026 results that showed system-wide comparable restaurant sales up 10.3% and adjusted EBITDA up about 80% year over year, prompting management to raise full-year guidance for revenue, comps, and profitability. The company has now posted positive same-store sales for more than a year.
The turnaround is also structural. After completing a 1-for-8 reverse stock split in February 2026, management has pursued a portfolio-optimization plan that closes underperforming company-owned restaurants while transferring sales to nearby locations. The company ended the second quarter with roughly $105 million in debt and a low cash balance, and it has reiterated targets for positive free cash flow and about $10 million of debt reduction in 2026.
A board-led review of strategic alternatives—including refinancing, refranchising, or a possible sale—remains ongoing and continues to influence how investors value the stock. Menu-driven initiatives, including the return of popular limited-time items and new catering offerings, have supported the comp-sales momentum.
Trending AI Robots
Tickeron's Trending AI Robots page highlights a curated selection of AI-driven trading bots from a platform that operates hundreds of bots trading thousands of tickers. Only the top-performing and most relevant bots appear in this section, which filters strategies by performance, timeframe, and market relevance. Because bots vary in approach—from short-term momentum to longer-horizon swing strategies—the page offers a view into how automated systems are positioning across names like NDLS. Traders and investors can browse the section to compare active strategies and monitor which signals are gaining traction.
2026 Outlook and What Investors Should Watch
Looking ahead, the most important near-term catalyst is Noodles' third-quarter earnings report, expected in early-to-mid November, where investors will assess whether the double-digit comparable-sales momentum and margin gains continue. Management's full-year guidance implies sustained comp growth and further adjusted EBITDA improvement, but execution against those targets will be closely watched.
Other factors to monitor include the outcome of the strategic-alternatives review, progress on debt reduction and the low cash position, and the pace of planned restaurant closures. Broader consumer spending trends, food and labor cost inflation, and competitive pressure from larger fast-casual chains will also influence results. These are forward-looking considerations, not investment recommendations.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
NDLS's MACD Histogram just turned positive
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for NDLS turned positive on October 28, 2026. Looking at past instances where NDLS's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 48 of 55 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 87%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where NDLS's RSI Oscillator exited the oversold zone, 33 of 42 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 79%.
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 28, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on NDLS as a result. In 63 of 84 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 75%.
NDLS moved above its 50-day moving average on October 28, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +18.93% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where NDLS advanced for three days, in 181 of 239 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 76%.
NDLS may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 3 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where NDLS declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 89%.
The Aroon Indicator for NDLS entered a downward trend on October 07, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 24 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly undervalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (-1.732) is normal, around the industry mean (-0.563). P/E Ratio (-3.721) is within average values for comparable stocks, (17.719). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.610) is also within normal values, averaging (7.754). Dividend Yield (0.000) settles around the average of (0.048) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (0.157) is also within normal values, averaging (2.618).
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 36 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. NDLS’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 84 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 99 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 100 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. NDLS’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 84, placing this stock worse than average.
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General Information
an operator of franchise restaurants
Industry Restaurants