BROOMFIELD, Colo. - Noodles & Company (NASDAQ:NDLS), a fast-casual restaurant chain, has announced the appointment of Drew Madsen as its permanent Chief Executive Officer, effective Monday. Madsen, who has been serving as interim CEO since November 2023, will continue his role on the Board of Directors.
Jeff Jones, the Chairman of the Board, expressed confidence in Madsen's leadership, noting his swift alignment of the company around strategic priorities aimed at driving traffic growth. Underlining Madsen's restaurant industry experience and operational expertise, Jones anticipates sustainable growth and long-term shareholder value creation.
Drew Madsen has a significant background in the restaurant industry, having served as President and COO of Panera Bread (NASDAQ:PNRA), where he led the company to a leadership position in various aspects, including clean food initiatives, digital sales, and home delivery. His tenure at Panera followed a nearly ten-year stint as President and COO at Darden Restaurants (NYSE:DRI). Madsen's career also includes time at General Mills (NYSE:GIS) and an MBA from the University of Michigan.
Madsen's vision for Noodles & Company involves driving traffic growth through operational excellence, menu innovation, leveraging digital strengths, expanding the catering business, and strengthening the financial position. He aims to capitalize on the brand's distinctiveness and value proposition to enhance customer experiences.
Noodles & Company, known for its wide range of noodle dishes and pasta, operates approximately 470 restaurants and employs over 7,000 team members. The company's focus on nourishing and inspiring guests has been a cornerstone since its inception in 1995.
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