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Upturn AI Summary - About
Noodles & Company(NDLS)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for NDLS
11/06/2026: NDLS (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Noodles & Company (NDLS) is a US-based fast-casual restaurant chain known for its globally inspired noodle and pasta dishes. The company's strengths include a unique menu that appeals to health-conscious diners and a well-developed digital ordering platform. Its primary investment story centers on improving unit economics and shifting toward a more capital-efficient, franchise-focused growth model. Investors face risks related to intense competition from larger chains, vulnerability to labor and food cost inflation, and historical volatility in same-store sales. The stock is best suited for growth-oriented investors with a high risk tolerance who are monitoring the brand's ability to maintain margins in a difficult, highly competitive market.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Mixed fit | The company offers potential for growth, but historical execution and competition present significant hurdles. |
| Momentum investor | Weak fit | The stock lacks the consistent uptrend or strong breakout signals typically required for momentum-based strategies. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | While the stock may appear inexpensive, value investors should consider whether fundamental headwinds justify the current valuation. |
| Dividend investor | Weak fit | Noodles & Company does not pay a dividend, making it unsuitable for income-focused portfolios. |
| Low-risk investor | Weak fit | High sensitivity to macroeconomic shifts and operational risks makes this stock too volatile for low-risk profiles. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | High | The stock is susceptible to significant swings based on quarterly earnings reports and consumer sentiment. |
| Valuation risk | Medium | Investors must assess if the current stock price accurately reflects long-term earnings potential. |
| Competition risk (fast-casual peers) | High | Intense competition from larger, better-funded chains threatens market share and pricing power. |
| Business quality | Medium | The business has established a brand but struggles with consistent profit margins across all units. |
| Dividend income | Low / none | There is no dividend income, so risk is centered entirely on capital appreciation. |
| Execution risk | High | Successfully managing labor costs and new store openings is critical for future profitability. |
Price Behavior
Rolling Over
The price momentum is slowing down and beginning to turn downward.
Extreme Price Shocks
The stock has experienced exceptionally large and disruptive price movements during the period.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -62.44% | Avg. Invested days 21 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  2.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 11/06/2026 |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals
Financial Health Rating
Growth Momentum Score
Ownership
Top 5 Institutional Investors
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 83.83M USD | Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 1.75 |
Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 1.75 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 45.4K shares | Beta 1.32 | 52 Weeks Range 3.57 - 19.00 | Updated Date 11/08/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 3.57 - 19.00 | Updated Date 11/08/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) -3.97 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| Company-Operated Restaurants | Direct sales from meals served at company-owned locations. | This is the primary way the company earns money; monitoring same-store sales is key. |
| Franchise Operations | Royalties and initial franchise fees from independently operated stores. | This provides a lower-margin but higher-certainty revenue stream compared to company-owned stores. |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Valuation
Trailing PE - | Forward PE 18.48 | Enterprise Value 326.86M | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.17 |
Enterprise Value 326.86M | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.17 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.66 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 27.41 | Shares Outstanding 5.97M | Shares Floating 3.28M |
Shares Outstanding 5.97M | Shares Floating 3.28M | ||
Percent Insiders 15.63 | Percent Institutions 54.84 |
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.
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