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Dec 28, 2021

Noodles & Co Q4 2021 Earnings Report

Announced fourth quarter and fiscal year 2021 financial results.

Key Takeaways

Noodles & Company reported a 7.1% increase in total revenue to $114.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to $107.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. The company's net loss was $4.7 million, or $0.10 loss per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $3.8 million, or $0.09 loss per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Total revenue increased 7.1% to $114.8 million.

Comparable restaurant sales increased 11.2% system-wide.

Company average unit volumes were $1.31 million, a 14.1% increase.

Net loss was $4.7 million, or $0.10 loss per diluted share.

Total Revenue
$115M
Previous year: $107M
+7.1%
EPS
-$0.05
Previous year: -$0.04
+25.0%
System-wide comparable sales
11.2%
Previous year: -4.7%
-338.3%
Restaurant contribution margin
12.4%
Previous year: 13.6%
-8.8%
Company-owned comparable sales
9.5%
Gross Profit
$16M
Previous year: $16.1M
-0.9%
Cash and Equivalents
$2.3M
Previous year: $7.8M
-70.5%
Free Cash Flow
$458K
Previous year: -$1.09M
-142.2%
Total Assets
$341M
Previous year: $354M
-3.4%

Noodles & Co

Noodles & Co

Forward Guidance

The Company is providing the following expectations for the fiscal year 2022: First quarter 2022 total revenue of $110 million to $113 million, inclusive of the impact of the Omicron variant and the recent refranchising of 15 company restaurants in California; First quarter 2022 comparable restaurant sales in the mid-single digits; Approximately 35 new restaurants system-wide in 2022, with roughly 70% of openings being company-owned; and Capital expenditures of $30 million to $34 million in 2022.

Positive Outlook

  • System-wide unit growth of at least 10% annually beginning in 2023 on a targeted path to at least 1,500 units.
  • Average unit volumes of $1.50 million by 2024.
  • Restaurant contribution margin of 20% by 2024.
  • Strategic framework and underlying momentum.
  • Reiterating unit growth and restaurant contribution targets while increasing average unit volume expectations.

Challenges Ahead

  • Near term pressures in the first quarter due to the Omicron variant.
  • Pressures during the first half of the year due to commodity inflation.
  • Staffing challenges.
  • Supply chain challenges.
  • Potential volatility through 2022 due to the current staffing and supply chain environment.