About You As an Operations Excellence Coach (OEC), you are a key driver of Noodles & Company's success, coaching and empowering our restaurant teams to deliver exceptional guest experiences through operational excellence. You’ll work directly with Operators, General Managers, and Shift Leaders to strengthen operational standards, develop leadership skills, and drive continuous improvement across your assigned region.
Our ideal OEC is energized by being on the move, working side-by-side with restaurant teams, and coaching them to deliver consistently outstanding guest experiences. They embrace data to inform decisions, but always coach with heart. Above all, they believe that great operations create great guest moments — and great careers for our people.
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.
Benefits Careers at Noodles are served with a side of:
Pay range: $58,000 -$79,500 annual salary
Eligible for annual performance bonus up to 10%
Flexible 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 your personal and professional growth
Scholarship opportunities through Noodles Foundation
Coach for Performance: Conduct in-person coaching visits with restaurant GMs and teams using structured walkthroughs and skill-building sessions to drive excellence in guest service, food quality, safety, cleanliness, and brand standards.
Targeted Support: Analyze operational metrics, guest feedback, walkthrough results, and performance data to inform coaching focus and drive measurable improvements.
Elevate Operational Execution: Identify operational opportunities and deliver specific, actionable feedback to restaurant teams and guide them in implementing sustainable operational solutions.
Leadership Development: Build the capability of restaurant leaders by developing their operational skills, critical thinking, accountability habits, and guest-first mindset.
Champion Brand Standards: Serve as a brand ambassador, reinforcing Noodles & Company's operational vision and guiding continuous operational alignment across the system.
Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborate closely with Field Operations Leaders, Training, Food Safety, and HR to support restaurant teams holistically.
Lead MIT Training Program: Coordinate & prepare for all MITs ensuring proper training and transition into home restaurant. Responsible for succession planning and certification of TGMs by partnering with market leadership.
New Store Openings: Support successful new restaurant openings by ensuring brand standards are built into culture from day one.
What You Bring to the Team
3–5+ years of restaurant operations leadership experience, preferably in a multi-unit, fast-casual or quick-service environment.
Proven leadership and coaching ability, with experience developing and influencing frontline managers and teams.
Strong knowledge of restaurant P&L fundamentals, labor management, food safety, and service excellence best practices.
Experience using KPIs and operational data to identify performance gaps and drive targeted action.
Exceptional interpersonal communication, coaching, and problem-solving skills – able to connect, challenge, and inspire others with empathy and accountability.
Comfortable in a fast-paced, field-first environment — energized by being on the move and adapting to different team needs.
A self-starter mindset with the ability to prioritize and work independently in a field-based role.
This is a field-based role supporting North Carolina, Virginia, and Indiana, with travel required up to 70% of the time to support both in-state and out-of-state restaurant locations based on business needs. We’re seeking candidates who either reside locally or are open to relocating.
Noodles is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Military Friendly workplace. We encourage Veterans and their spouses to apply. We are proud to be recognized on Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity and Forbes' Best Employers for Women lists and are committed to creating a culture of belonging where Noodlers can bring their full self to work.
Application Deadline: Recruiting timelines vary by role, but all positions at Noodles & Company remain open for applications for at least 3 days from the posting date. This role is currently open and accepting applications.
