Business closures have become a regular part of today’s modern landscape. Blink, and suddenly the “Now Open” sign you just noticed a few months ago is quietly replaced with a “For Lease” banner. Still, every so often, a closure announcement lands with a little extra surprise.
That’s why some eyebrows were raised this week when word broke that Noodles & Company is once again trimming its restaurant lineup. According to Dakota News Now, the popular pasta-focused chain plans to shut down another 30 to 35 locations sometime in 2026. This comes on the heels of last year’s closure of 42 stores, which, as it turns out, wasn’t the end of the story.
In a press release, Noodles & Company President and CEO Joe Christina explained the move in classic corporate-speak, noting that the company performs best when it focuses on restaurants with “the strongest opportunity to perform.” Translation: some locations are thriving, others… not so much. The goal, he says, is to strengthen the overall health of the brand and position it for profitable growth in the years ahead.
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Here in Sioux Falls, this news may trigger a bit of déjà vu. Longtime residents will remember when the original east-side Noodles & Company location closed back in 2019. That leaves just one remaining spot in town, located at 57th Street and Louise Avenue.
Naturally, the big question now is whether that location is safe.
At this point, there’s no definitive word either way. And until we hear otherwise, local pasta fans can breathe easy, and maybe sneak in an extra visit or two, just in case. Personally, I’d hate to see it go. The Wisconsin Mac & Cheese has gotten me through more than just a few long, cold South Dakota winter days, and it’s just the kind of comfort food you don’t want disappearing without warning…