Noodles & Company Names Joe Christina as President and Chief Operating Officer
Noodles & Company (NASDAQ: NDLS) has appointed Joe Christina as President and Chief Operating Officer. Christina brings over three decades of restaurant leadership experience and will oversee operations and human resources. He succeeds Brad West, who announced retirement in 2024 after eight years as COO.
Christina's extensive background includes leadership roles at Burger King, where he spent 29 years in various positions from Restaurant Manager to SVP of Franchise Operations. He later served as CEO of Church's Chicken, leading significant year-over-year growth, and most recently as CEO of Tijuana Flats.
The appointment comes as Noodles & Company prepares for a comprehensive new menu introduction in the first half of the year. West will remain with the company as Chief of Staff through June 2025 to ensure a smooth transition.
Noodles & Company (NASDAQ: NDLS) ha nominato Joe Christina come Presidente e Direttore Operativo. Christina porta con sé oltre tre decenni di esperienza nella leadership nel settore della ristorazione e supervisionerà le operazioni e le risorse umane. Succede a Brad West, che ha annunciato il suo pensionamento nel 2024 dopo otto anni come COO.
Il vasto background di Christina include ruoli di leadership presso Burger King, dove ha trascorso 29 anni in varie posizioni, dal Direttore di Ristorante al SVP delle Operazioni in Franchising. In seguito, ha ricoperto il ruolo di CEO di Church's Chicken, guidando una significativa crescita anno dopo anno, e più recentemente è stato CEO di Tijuana Flats.
La nomina arriva mentre Noodles & Company si prepara per l'introduzione di un nuovo menù completo nella prima metà dell'anno. West rimarrà con l'azienda come Capo di Stato fino a giugno 2025 per garantire una transizione fluida.
Noodles & Company (NASDAQ: NDLS) ha nombrado a Joe Christina como Presidente y Director de Operaciones. Christina aporta más de tres décadas de experiencia en liderazgo en el sector de restaurantes y supervisará las operaciones y los recursos humanos. Sucede a Brad West, quien anunció su jubilación en 2024 después de ocho años como COO.
El extenso historial de Christina incluye roles de liderazgo en Burger King, donde pasó 29 años en varias posiciones, desde Gerente de Restaurante hasta SVP de Operaciones de Franquicias. Posteriormente, se desempeñó como CEO de Church's Chicken, liderando un crecimiento significativo año tras año, y más recientemente fue CEO de Tijuana Flats.
El nombramiento se produce mientras Noodles & Company se prepara para una introducción completa de su nuevo menú en la primera mitad del año. West permanecerá en la empresa como Jefe de Personal hasta junio de 2025 para garantizar una transición fluida.
누들 & 컴퍼니 (NASDAQ: NDLS)는 조 크리스티나를 사장 겸 최고운영책임자(COO)로 임명했습니다. 크리스티나는 30년 이상의 레스토랑 리더십 경험을 가지고 있으며 운영 및 인사 부서를 감독할 것입니다. 그는 8년간 COO로 재직한 브래드 웨스트의 후임입니다. 웨스트는 2024년 은퇴를 발표했습니다.
크리스티나의 광범위한 경력에는 버거킹에서의 리더십 역할이 포함되어 있으며, 그는 29년 동안 레스토랑 매니저에서 프랜차이즈 운영 부사장(SVP)까지 다양한 직책을 맡았습니다. 이후 처치스 치킨의 CEO로 재직하며 연간 상당한 성장을 이끌었고, 최근에는 티후아나 플랫의 CEO로 있었습니다.
이번 임명은 누들 & 컴퍼니가 올해 상반기에 새로운 메뉴를 종합적으로 도입할 준비를 하고 있는 가운데 이루어졌습니다. 웨스트는 원활한 전환을 보장하기 위해 2025년 6월까지 회사에 남아 최고 보좌관으로 활동할 것입니다.
Noodles & Company (NASDAQ: NDLS) a nommé Joe Christina en tant que Président et Directeur des opérations. Christina apporte plus de trois décennies d'expérience en leadership dans le secteur de la restauration et supervisera les opérations et les ressources humaines. Il succède à Brad West, qui a annoncé sa retraite en 2024 après huit ans en tant que COO.
Le parcours professionnel de Christina comprend des postes de direction chez Burger King, où il a passé 29 ans à divers postes, du Directeur de restaurant au SVP des opérations de franchise. Il a ensuite été CEO de Church's Chicken, où il a dirigé une croissance significative d'une année sur l'autre, et plus récemment CEO de Tijuana Flats.
Cette nomination intervient alors que Noodles & Company se prépare à une introduction complète de son nouveau menu au cours de la première moitié de l'année. West restera au sein de l'entreprise en tant que Chef de cabinet jusqu'en juin 2025 pour garantir une transition en douceur.
Noodles & Company (NASDAQ: NDLS) hat Joe Christina zum Präsidenten und Chief Operating Officer ernannt. Christina bringt über drei Jahrzehnte Erfahrung in der Restaurantleitung mit und wird die Betriebsabläufe und die Personalabteilung überwachen. Er folgt auf Brad West, der 2024 nach acht Jahren als COO in den Ruhestand geht.
Christinas umfangreiche Erfahrung umfasst Führungspositionen bei Burger King, wo er 29 Jahre in verschiedenen Positionen vom Restaurantmanager bis zum SVP für Franchise-Operationen tätig war. Später war er CEO von Church's Chicken, wo er ein signifikantes jährliches Wachstum leitete, und zuletzt CEO von Tijuana Flats.
Die Ernennung erfolgt, während Noodles & Company sich auf die umfassende Einführung eines neuen Menüs in der ersten Jahreshälfte vorbereitet. West wird bis Juni 2025 als Chief of Staff im Unternehmen bleiben, um einen reibungslosen Übergang zu gewährleisten.
- Appointment of experienced executive with proven track record of driving growth
- Strategic timing with upcoming comprehensive menu revamp
- Structured transition period with former COO remaining until June 2025
- Management turnover with departure of 8-year COO Brad West
Insights
The appointment of Joe Christina as President and COO marks a pivotal strategic shift for Noodles & Company, particularly given the company's current market capitalization of
His track record of driving EBITDA growth in competitive markets is particularly relevant given NDLS's current market challenges. At Church's Chicken, Christina demonstrated the ability to achieve significant year-over-year growth, a important skill set for NDLS as it seeks to expand its market presence and improve operational efficiency.
Three key strategic implications stand out:
- The extended transition period with outgoing COO Brad West (through June 2025) indicates a methodical approach to organizational change, reducing operational risks during the leadership transition.
- Christina's extensive franchise operations experience from Burger King suggests potential focus on franchise expansion, which could provide a capital-light growth avenue for NDLS.
- His recent experience revitalizing Tijuana Flats demonstrates expertise in brand rejuvenation, particularly relevant as NDLS prepares to launch its new menu initiative.
The combination of operations expertise and CEO-level strategic experience positions Christina to address both immediate operational challenges and longer-term growth objectives. His background in financial management and market development could prove particularly valuable in improving unit economics and identifying new growth opportunities in the current challenging restaurant environment.
Accomplished Restaurant Leader Joins Noodles & Company to Drive Operational Excellence
BROOMFIELD, Colo., Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Noodles & Company (NASDAQ: NDLS) today announced the appointment of Joe Christina as its President and Chief Operating Officer. A seasoned restaurant executive with more than three decades of leadership experience, Christina will oversee operations and human resources and help further elevate the Noodles & Company experience for both guests and team members.
“Joe is a highly accomplished leader with deep operational expertise and a proven track record of driving growth and innovation in the restaurant industry,” said Drew Madsen, Chief Executive Officer at Noodles & Company. “His experience as both a CEO and operations leader makes him uniquely positioned to further elevate our foundation of operations excellence, strengthen our team culture, and unlock the significant growth opportunities ahead. Joe will also help ensure the successful execution of our comprehensive new menu introduction in the first half of this year.”
Christina has an extensive background in QSR and fast-casual restaurant leadership, with expertise spanning operations, financial management, market development, marketing, human resources, and franchise leadership. He has a proven track record of driving revenue and EBITDA growth in competitive markets through focused strategic planning and disciplined execution.
“I’m thrilled to join Noodles & Company at such an exciting time for the brand,” said Christina. “Noodles is a standout concept with a strong foundation, a highly differentiated menu, and significant growth potential. Their people-first culture deeply resonates with me. By focusing on operations excellence, menu innovation, and expanding catering, we will unlock new opportunities and drive sustainable, long-term success."
Christina’s career began at Burger King, where he was promoted through a series of key positions over 29 years including Restaurant Manager, Franchise Owner, VP of Global Operations and Training to SVP of Franchise Operations for the West Division.
In 2013, he joined Church’s Chicken as EVP of U.S. Operations, before being promoted to CEO, President, and Board Member. During his six-year tenure, he led the brand to significant year-over-year growth. Most recently, Christina served as CEO of Tijuana Flats, where he revitalized the brand and spearheaded its expansion.
Christina succeeds Brad West, who announced his retirement in 2024 after eight years as COO. West will remain with the company as Chief of Staff through June 2025 to ensure a seamless transition.
About Noodles & Company
Since 1995, Noodles & Company has been serving guests Uncommon Goodness, offering globally inspired flavors and classic comfort dishes. From indulgent Wisconsin Mac & Cheese to craveable Japanese Pan Noodles, Noodles & Company delivers a world of flavor in every bowl. With over 460 restaurants and 7,000 passionate team members, the brand is committed to nourishing and inspiring every guest who walks through its doors.
To learn more or find a location near you, visit www.noodles.com.
Media Contact
Danielle Moore
(720) 214-1971
press@noodles.com
FAQ
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