Noodles & Company is testing three mac & cheese dishes in select locations in Colorado, Illinois, and Ohio as part of its broader menu transformation.
The new items are:
Buffalo Chicken Ranch Mac & Cheese: Elbow noodles tossed in cheddar and Jack cheese sauce and topped with Parmesan-crusted chicken, Buffalo sauce, scallions, fried onions, and a drizzle of ranch dressing, priced at around $11.25 for a small and $12.75 for a regular
Garlic Bacon Crunch Mac & Cheese: Elbow noodles in garlic white cheddar sauce with bacon, topped with more bacon, fried onions, Parmesan cheese, and parsley for around $8.25 for a small and $9.50 for a regular
Pulled Pork BBQ Mac & Cheese: Elbow noodles in cheddar and Jack cheese sauce and topped with pulled pork, barbecue sauce, scallions, and fried onions, priced at around $11.25 for a small and $12.75 for a regular
Mac & cheese is Noodles & Company’s most popular menu category and chief concept officer Scott Davis, who joined the chain in June, said in a statement he hoped the expanded options would be well received.
"Our new specialty Mac & Cheese menu marks an exciting step forward for Noodles & Company as we continue to elevate our offerings, including the cornerstone of our menu — mac & cheese," Davis said. "As our best-selling dish, mac & cheese holds a special place with our guests, and this launch underscores our dedication to delivering bold flavors and reimagined classics. We're confident that loyal fans and new guests will find something they love, and we're excited to introduce even more delicious dishes soon."
The chain of some 460 restaurants, based in Broomfield, Colo., has been struggling since sales began to drop in 2023. Drew Madsen, who became CEO in March, has been working with consulting firm The Culinary Edge to rework the menu, which includes the development of new items and testing them in select markets, just as it’s doing with these Mac & Cheese items.
Noodles & Company has already rolled out several new dishes, including Lemon Garlic Shrimp Scampi tossed in penne pasta, Chipotle Chicken Cavatappi, and Crispy Chicken Bacon Alfredo with spaghetti.
The full menu transformation is expected to be completed next year.
Meanwhile, sales continue to slump, with comps falling by 3.3% in the most recent quarter.
Contact Bret Thorn at [email protected]
