The Reason Noodles & Company Chose To Focus On Noodles

Pasta, anyone? If you're ever in the mood for a delectable, carb-loaded comfort meal but don't have the energy to gather the ingredients and cook on the stovetop, pop on over to your local Noodles & Company. The fast-casual restaurant offers a menu of hearty pasta dishes inspired by recipes around the world, including its famous Wisconsin Mac & Cheese, Japanese Pan Noodles, Penne Rosa, 3-Cheese Tortelloni Pesto, and the classic favorite Spaghetti & Meatballs.

In 1995, the first Noodles & Company location opened its doors in Denver, Colorado. Founder and now-former CEO Aaron Kennedy's vision was to celebrate the diversity of pasta by feeding customers some of the best dishes. According to Funding Universe, he wanted to allow people from all walks of life to try freshly prepared noodles from various culinary cultures in one place. As it turns out, Kennedy's dream came true, and his business model has proven to be successful.

As with most entrepreneurial spirits, the idea of Noodles & Company stemmed from a realization that problems can be solved simply and creatively. When Aaron Kennedy lived in New York's Greenwich Village, a Thai noodle shop was one of his go-to neighborhood dining spots. While he loved the flavor and atmosphere, he wondered what it would be like to eat someplace that served noodles from various countries. This led Kennedy to develop the concept of an international restaurant that focused on noodle and pasta dishes. He understood that pasta is common to many cultures, so a global noodle shop would create widespread appeal, per Funding Universe.

Kennedy, who was 33 years old at the time, decided to move forward with his business venture. But first, he made sure he did his homework and got the best people to help him. In 1994, Kennedy was living in Denver, where he met menu strategist and chef Ross Kamens, who knew a thing or two about whipping up tasty pasta dishes. Kennedy hired Kamens to develop a noodle-forward menu. In 1995, Kennedy founded The Noodle Shop Company in the Cherry Creek neighborhood of Denver, and it was an instant hit. Today, Noodles & Company boasts more than 450 locations, according to the company's official website.