Area Manager - Richmond

About the Role

As an Area Manager, you are responsible for the overall restaurant performance within an assigned area, generally 5–12 restaurants depending on various factors. You lead all area restaurant operations, local marketing initiatives, and the recruitment, development, and coaching of your restaurant managers. You are accountable for the success of the area by following Noodles & Company guidelines, policies, and procedures. Ultimately, you build sales and profit while maintaining high operating standards.

About Noodles

At Noodles & Company, we believe great food can spark meaningful connections. That’s why we’re on a mission to reintroduce the world to noodles—not just as a meal, but as an experience worth craving. As we evolve our brand to meet the modern guest, we’re focused on creating moments that surprise, delight, and shift perceptions of what fast-casual can be. Every bowl we serve is rooted in global flavors, fresh ingredients, and intentional hospitality that makes guests feel seen and valued. Our values—We Care, We Show Pride, We Are Passionate, and We Love Life—guide how we show up for our guests, our team members, and each other.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and leadership in the delivery of outstanding guest experience, culinary operations, labor scheduling, inventory management, restaurant marketing, and restaurant P&L.
• Plan, identify, communicate, and delegate responsibilities throughout the area to ensure excellent operations are consistently achieved.
• Lead the area in the implementation of company initiatives by working with the Regional Directors of Operations and Regional Support Team on action plans and timelines.
• Generate area sales growth by developing strategic short- and long-term marketing plans, ensuring the restaurants consistently deliver a positive guest experience, and executing local restaurant marketing initiatives.
• Constantly review area operations and related reports to identify problems, concerns, and opportunities for improvement and implement solutions.
• Manage the area P&L by tracking expenses vs. annual budget, analyzing variances, and initiating corrective action.
• Ensure the area follows Noodles & Company's operational policies and procedures.
• Develop area succession plan by evaluating open opportunities, assessing internal talent, and leading recruiting efforts.
• Provide coaching and feedback to restaurant managers and assess performance on an ongoing basis.
• Partner with restaurant managers to set personal development goals in order to build their skills and abilities for career progression.
• Lead a positive team environment by recognizing and reinforcing individual and restaurant accomplishments.
• Challenge and inspire the restaurant management team to achieve business results.
• Coach restaurant managers in team member recruiting, development, performance management, and retention to ensure the restaurant is properly staffed, turnover goals are met, and succession planning is in place.
• Lead the area with integrity and knowledge that promotes the culture and beliefs of Noodles & Company.
• Lead area succession planning by identifying talent internally and externally and developing that talent into restaurant leaders.

Requirements

• Minimum of five years of prior restaurant experience including strong single-unit performance and some experience leading/managing multi-unit initiatives.
• Ability to achieve results through leadership and management of others.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to coach and mentor restaurant managers.
• Experience in delegation, holding others accountable, business planning, and communicating across a dispersed group of restaurant managers.
• Strong time management skills.
• Demonstrated expertise in hiring and staffing, training, and the on-going management of a multi-lingual restaurant staff.
• Ability to effectively handle and manage confidential and sensitive information.
• Articulate and solid communicator with effective presentation skills.
• Demonstrated management of all applicable restaurant regulatory areas, including employee safety, food safety, HAACP, wage & hour, and immigration.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.
• This is a field-based role located in Virginia, with travel required up to 75%. Candidates must either reside locally or be open to relocating to the Greater Richmond area.

Benefits

• Pay range: $80,000–$100,000 annual salary
• Eligible for quarterly performance bonus
• Paid time off
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) and stock purchase discounts
• Paid maternity and paternity leaves, adoption, and surrogacy benefits
• Noodles Resource Groups – inclusive communities that foster belonging, build connections, and support personal and professional growth
• Scholarship opportunities through Noodles Foundation
• Monthly technology stipend
• Discounts through our gift card program

Learn more about our benefits.