# Ramen success sends Noodles & Company back to growth

> A limited-time ramen dish brought 156,000 new customers to the struggling chain, prompting it to make ramen permanent.
- Title: Ramen success sends Noodles & Company back to growth
- Summary: A limited-time ramen dish brought 156,000 new customers to the struggling chain, prompting it to make ramen permanent. Noodles & Company is adding ramen as a…
- Keywords: noodles & company, ramen, menu innovation, fast-casual dining, restaurant strategy, customer acquisition, success, sends, Noodles, Company, back, growth
- Source: Fastcompany — https://fastcompany.com/91625288/one-menu-item-brought-156000-new-customers-to-noodles-company-now-its-making-a-big-change
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: noodles & company, ramen, menu innovation, fast-casual dining, restaurant strategy, customer acquisition
## Ramen becomes permanent at Noodles
Noodles & Company announced ramen will earn a permanent category on its menu following the success of a limited-time chili garlic ramen item last year.
## One dish brought 156,000 new diners
The company called the chili garlic ramen dish one of the most successful menu launches in its history, noting it introduced one hundred fifty-six thousand new diners to its brand.
## Three new ramen bowls launching
Noodles & Company will introduce Gochujang Carbonara Ramen Noodles, Sweet Sesame Steak Ramen Noodles, and Spicy Korean Steak Ramen Noodles, each offered as brothless bowls.
## Global flavors in American setting
The new ramen selection draws on Italian, Korean, and Japanese cuisine, all served in a very American fast-casual setting, though not exactly authentic.
## Culinary innovation drives the move
Tina Massey, vice president of culinary innovation at Noodles & Company, said ramen gives the chain another canvas for flavor and creativity after thirty years exploring noodles.

> We've spent more than 30 years exploring what's possible with noodles, and ramen gives us another incredible canvas for flavor and creativity.
## Chain faced recent struggles
Like many fast-casual competitors, Noodles & Company has struggled in recent years. In two thousand twenty-five, it shuttered forty-two locations citing a long-term plan to get back on track.
## More closures planned for January
In January, Noodles & Company announced plans to close between thirty and thirty-five additional restaurants, trimming down its footprint considerably to improve profitability.
## CEO defends closure strategy
Joe Christina, president and CEO of Noodles & Company, said decisions to close underperforming locations are made thoughtfully with a long-term view of the business.

> Decisions like this are made thoughtfully and with a long-term view of the business.
## Strategy appears to be working
In its last earnings report, same-store sales were up by ten percent, a sign that the decision to jettison underperforming locations is beginning to pay off.
## Industry faces post-pandemic pressure
Fast-casual and fast-food chains have struggled in inflationary post-pandemic years as rising costs scare off customers who once didn't think twice about quick meals.
## Chipotle among those humbled
The trends have humbled onetime-towering chains including the ubiquitous burrito bar Chipotle, forcing them to rethink their business models and cost structures.
## Menu innovation drives recovery
Noodles & Company is now counting on menu innovations like its brothless global ramen experiments to bring new diners into the fold and sustain growth.
## Key takeaway

Noodles & Company is adding ramen as a permanent menu category after a limited-time chili garlic ramen item attracted one hundred fifty-six thousand new customers and became one of its most successful launches.