Noodles & Company, the national fast-casual chain known for its globally inspired noodle bowls, best-in-class service, and values-centric culture has signed a deal with DND Group Inc. to immediately acquire six restaurant locations and open a total of 10 new restaurants to the Portland, Oregon area. Opening its first location in 2025, this franchise agreement underscores Noodles & Company’s proven strategic growth in the Pacific Northwest market.
Spearheading the multi-unit agreement deal is Noodles & Company’s newest franchise partner and operator Dara Dejbakhsh, President and CEO at DND Group Inc. Dara is a long-time restaurant operator with over 43 years of experience in the restaurant and franchising industry. Founded in 2007, DND Group Inc. operates 56 restaurants across nine states. Its current brand portfolio includes brands like Dairy Queen, Zaxby’s, Taco John’s, and Paris Baguette.
“We are excited to add Noodles to our portfolio of brands and bring the brand’s globally inspired dishes and flavors to Portland and the surrounding areas,” says Dara Dejbakhsh, president and CEO at DND Group Inc. “With this new franchise agreement, we are looking forward to further growing Noodles in the Pacific Northwest, where we already successfully operate our other brands. Noodles is one of the strongest brands in the fast-casual space, showcasing remarkable leadership in menu innovation and its people-centric approach.”
The six-unit franchise agreement is an exclusive development in some of the most populous cities in Oregon, including Portland, Eugene, Bend, and Yakima-Kennewick-Pasco.
“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with DND Group, Inc., which reflects significant progress towards our goal of establishing an even stronger Noodles presence in the Pacific Northwest,” says Drew Madsen, CEO of Noodles & Company. “DND Group, Inc. has a strong history of exceptional operations, with a team of highly qualified operators, making them an ideal partner to bring the Noodles & Company brand to more communities in Oregon.”
Building on the momentum of its latest franchise agreements, the fast-casual brand continues to expand throughout the U.S. In 2024, Noodles & Company is also focused on growing its franchise presence in the southern region of the country and throughout the U.S. with a heightened focus on markets, such as Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Oklahoma.
