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
Why Noodles & Company (NDLS) Is Up +42% in the Last 30 Days
Key Takeaways
- NDLS stock surged +42% over the past 30 days, driven primarily by a strong Q4 2025 earnings beat on March 25, with system-wide comparable sales up 6.6% and adjusted EBITDA rising 88% year-over-year.
- Over the past quarter, the stock gained approximately +40%, supported by sales momentum accelerating to over 9% in early 2026, restaurant portfolio optimization through closures, and positive guidance.
- Key catalysts include narrower losses, improved restaurant-level margins expanding 290 basis points to 14.1%, and strategic menu innovations amid ongoing cost controls.
- A 1-for-8 reverse stock split in February helped maintain Nasdaq compliance, stabilizing sentiment ahead of earnings.
- Activist investor interest from Galloway Capital Partners added to positive market reaction.
Noodles & Company (NDLS) Company Overview and Market Position
Noodles & Company is a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in noodle and pasta dishes, soups, salads, and appetizers. The company operates through a mix of company-owned and franchised locations, focusing on global-inspired, made-to-order meals. Its core business model emphasizes menu innovation, operational efficiency, and value offerings like limited-time items to drive traffic and sales.
In the competitive casual dining industry, NDLS holds a niche in customizable noodle bowls, competing with chains like Chipotle (CMG) and Panera. Recent fundamentals, including sales growth from menu upgrades and closures of underperforming stores (over 50 in the past year), have bolstered its position. This exposure to consumer traffic recovery and cost discipline directly explains the recent stock price rally, as investors reward turnaround progress.
Noodles & Company (NDLS) Stock Price Performance: Last 30 Days vs. Quarter
Over the last 30 days, NDLS stock rose from approximately $6.00 on March 6 to $8.53 as of April 2, marking a +42% gain. The movement was volatile and trend-driven, with a massive spike on March 26 following earnings, pushing from $6.06 to $9.43 (+56% intraday surge), followed by some consolidation around $8.50-$9.00.
For the past quarter, the stock climbed +40% from around $6.08 in early January to $8.53. Performance was range-bound early on post-reverse split but accelerated sharply post-earnings, reflecting improved market trends and sector sentiment in consumer cyclical stocks.
What Drove NDLS Stock Price in the Last 30 Days
The primary catalyst was the March 25 Q4 2025 earnings release, where revenue hit $122.8 million (up 0.8% YoY), beating estimates, with system-wide same-store sales (SSS) at +6.6% (company-owned +7.3%). Adjusted EBITDA jumped to $7.6 million (+88% YoY), and restaurant contribution margins expanded 290 basis points to 14.1% due to lower COGS (down 120 bps) and controlled labor costs.
This triggered a 55% single-day surge on March 26, as investors cheered narrower EPS loss (-$0.43 vs. consensus -$0.72) and Q1 SSS guidance of +9%. Positive early 2026 comps over 9% signaled sustained momentum. Analyst sentiment remained neutral (Hold), but the beat shifted focus to turnaround execution. Menu news, like ramen considerations, added tailwinds, while sector recovery in dining stocks amplified the move.
What Drove NDLS Stock Performance Over the Last Quarter
The quarter's +40% rise stemmed from broader turnaround narratives, including the February 18 1-for-8 reverse stock split to regain Nasdaq compliance after dipping below $1 pre-split. This stabilized the stock around $6 post-split, setting the stage for gains.
Ongoing restaurant closures (33 in 2025, 20+ YTD 2026) optimized the portfolio, boosting average unit volumes +9.9% to $1.44 million. Activist stake by Galloway Capital (6%) urged asset sales and debt reduction ($110M debt). Macro tailwinds like easing inflation aided margins, while institutional interest grew amid YTD +50% returns. Cumulative impacts from sales acceleration and cost cuts outweighed prior delisting fears, driving steady outperformance vs. the sector.
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NDLS Stock Forecast Drivers: What Investors Should Watch Next
Investors should monitor Q1 2026 earnings around May 2026 for confirmation of +9% SSS trends and progress on FY26 guidance ($478M-$493M revenue, $30M-$35M adjusted EBITDA). Ongoing restaurant closures (30-35 planned) and capex ($9.5M-$10.5M) will impact margins. Watch menu expansions like ramen or value platforms (e.g., Delicious Duos) for traffic drivers, alongside macroeconomic factors such as consumer spending, food inflation, and interest rates affecting debt servicing. Activist moves from Galloway and proxy battles ahead of the annual meeting could influence strategy. Risks include execution on underperforming units and competition in casual dining.
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. Disclaimers and Limitations
NDLS's MACD Histogram just turned positive
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for NDLS turned positive on June 24, 2026. Looking at past instances where NDLS's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in of 55 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on May 29, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on NDLS as a result. In of 92 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
Following a 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where NDLS advanced for three days, in of 235 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In of 119 cases where NDLS Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are .
Bearish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator has been in the overbought zone for 2 days. Expect a price pull-back in the near future.
The Stochastic Oscillator has been in the overbought zone for 2 days. Expect a price pull-back in the near future.
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 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
NDLS broke above its upper Bollinger Band on June 26, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is (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 Seasonality Score of (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued 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: NDLS's P/B Ratio (15.175) is slightly higher than the industry average of (5.817). P/E Ratio (0.000) is within average values for comparable stocks, (40.052). NDLS's Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.000) is very low in comparison to the industry average of (1.693). NDLS has a moderately low Dividend Yield (0.000) as compared to the industry average of (0.029). P/S Ratio (0.162) is also within normal values, averaging (1.956).
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is (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 (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 (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 85, placing this stock worse than average.
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General Information
an operator of franchise restaurants
Industry Restaurants