NOODLES & COMPANY SELECTS FIRST FRANCHISED AREA OPERATOR Great Circle Management to Launch Global Noodle Concept Throughout Southern California, Signs Deal for 56 Restaurants Over 7 Years

Noodles & Company, the Boulder, Colo.-based, quick-casual global noodle restaurant that serves freshly prepared noodle cuisine for about five bucks a bowl, today announced its first franchised area operator agreement with Los Angeles-based A.O. One, LLC -- an entity operated by Great Circle Management, LLC. Great Circle Management operates Great Circle Family Foods, the largest Krispy Kreme area developer in the U.S.

LOS ANGELES, Calif (PRWEB) November 11, 2003 -- Noodles & Company, the Boulder, Colo.-based, quick-casual global noodle restaurant that serves freshly prepared noodle cuisine for about five bucks a bowl, today announced its first franchised area operator agreement with Los Angeles-based A.O. One, LLC -- an entity operated by Great Circle Management, LLC -- according to Aaron Kennedy and Ken Keymer, Noodles & Companys Co-CEOs. Great Circle Management operates Great Circle Family Foods, the largest Krispy Kreme area developer in the U.S. Known for its success as the exclusive Krispy Kreme franchisee in Southern California, the company has been credited with building the Krispy Kreme brand on the West coast.

Roger Glickman and Richard Reinis, principals of Great Circle Management, will operate the new noodle-based franchise company under the name A.O. One, which stands for Area Operator One. The agreement includes the right to develop 56 Noodles & Company restaurants throughout Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties over the next seven years. Glickman will assume the role of chief executive officer of A.O. One.

We selected Great Circle Management to be Noodles & Companys first franchised area operator because of its commitment to brand building at the highest levels," said Keymer. They have set the bar for franchising excellence due to their tremendous success running the largest Krispy Kreme franchise in the U.S." Equally as important, Keymer said, is their ability to grow the company quickly while maintaining operational excellence, something for which they have received numerous awards. Keymer also said the similarities between the two companies cultures and values are critical to the partnership. Great Circles core principles are very similar to ours," said Keymer. And, their commitment to community giving and customer service are a perfect fit for Noodles & Company."

Our goal at Great Circle is to work with the top brands in the industry. This partnership with Noodles & Company marks the next step in Great Circles growth and evolution as a significant player in the multi-unit restaurant industry -- and it gives us the opportunity to work closely with a team of experienced, dynamic and enthusiastic restaurant industry leaders," said Glickman. Were passionate about the Noodles & Company concept and burgeoning brand, and we believe Noodles & Companys balanced bowl of sophisticated flavors is a great match for Southern Californias palate."

Noodles & Company was the very first global noodle concept, and its founder, Aaron Kennedy, was among a small handful of pioneers who helped to create and shape the quick-casual segment in the mid 1990s.

PJ Evans, Noodles & Companys VP of franchise development, is responsible for the partnership and leads the companys efforts in selecting best-in-class franchised area operators. Weve had a tremendous response from top-notch franchisees with big brand experience and success," said Evans. Were thrilled to announce that Great Circle Management will be our first franchised area operator under the name A. O. One. We plan to continue selecting top talent to expand the Noodles & Company brand across the U.S."

Noodles & Companys global noodle menu offers spicy, Asian-inspired noodle bowls like Japanese Pan Noodles, Spicy Peanut Salad and Pad Thai, as well as Mediterranean, European and American comfort food, including Pasta Fresca, Pesto Cavatappi and award-winning Wisconsin Mac & Cheese as well as homemade soups, fresh garden and noodle salads, rustic bread, and simple desserts. Customers may add extra vegetables, as well as beef tenderloin, chicken breast, organic tofu and gulf shrimp to any dish.

Aaron Kennedy, founder, chairman and Co-CEO of Noodles & Company, opened the first restaurant in October 1995 in the Cherry Creek North neighborhood of Denver. Noodles & Company now has more than 70 company operated restaurants in Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Utah, Texas, Michigan, Maryland and Virginia. Noodles & Company has been named a Hot Concept! by Nations Restaurant News, Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young and has been on the Inc. 500 list of Americas fastest growing private companies for three years in a row. This year, Noodles & Company was the highest ranked restaurant company on the Inc. 500 list.

Great Circle Management, LLC operates a $70 million enterprise founded with the intent to develop top brand, multi-unit operations in Southern California. It is an innovative, entrepreneurial organization that places people at the center. From inception, Great Circle invested heavily in training, creating the premier operations system in the Krispy Kreme chain. Recognized as a leader in the restaurant and franchise communities, Great Circle maintains a near perfect record for on-time, on-budget performance. Examples of the companys accolades include recognition as one of the Restaurant Finance Monitors top 200 restaurant franchises in both 2001 and 2002, and the winner of the 2002 FS/TEC Technology Innovation Award.

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