Noodles & Company, serving classic noodle and pasta dishes from around the world, announced the appointment of Chef Nick Graff as director of culinary research and development. Graff will be responsible for driving the creative direction of the fast-casual restaurant’s diverse and globally inspired menu. He will oversee the development of the company’s in-restaurant menu, new catering program, seasonal limited-time offerings, and the selection of all ingredients to ensure consistency and quality in Noodles restaurants nationwide.
“We’re thrilled to have Nick join our team. When we first started looking for a new head of our culinary program, we had several people recommend that we connect with him. Now I can see why," says Dan Fogarty, executive vice president of marketing at Noodles & Company. “What’s even better is that he and his family have been regular guests at our restaurants for years, so he came in loaded with great ideas and hasn’t stopped. He really knows his food and get’s what we’re trying to do.”
A classically trained chef with a long history in the restaurant business, Graff joins the Noodles & Company team from Quiznos, a fast-casual sandwich chain headquartered in Denver, where he was the head of culinary development. Earlier in his career, he spent 14 years at Rock Bottom Restaurants, where he helped develop menus for Rock Bottom Breweries, Old Chicago, Denver Chophouse, and Walnut Brewery. He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America.
