Hamra Enterprises buys SWMO franchise rights to Noodles & Co.

Springfield-based Hamra Enterprises closed yesterday on the purchase of the southwest Missouri franchise rights to Noodles & Co. (Nasdaq: NDLS).

The deal with the Broomfield, Colo.-based publicly traded pasta chain came the same day Hamra Enterprises bought existing franchise locations in St. Louis and Columbia, said Eve Metheny, director of brand marketing for Hamra Enterprises.

SWMO plans
With the purchase of the southwest Missouri rights for undisclosed terms, Metheny said Hamra Enterprises would most likely open its first Noodles & Co. restaurant within the franchise boundary in Springfield.

The rights stretch along the Interstate-44 corridor, from St. Louis to Springfield, as well as into the Branson and Joplin areas, she said.

Metheny said the company is shooting for its first southwest Missouri cafe to open in 2015, but noted it has yet to select a location.

Franchise buy
Hamra Enterprises yesterday bought seven Noodles & Co. locations from franchisee North American Dining LLC.

The deal comprises six locations in the St. Louis metropolitan area and one in Columbia. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Hamra Enterprises opened its first Noodles & Co. franchise in April in Shrewsbury, Mass. Hamra Enterprises is planning two others in New England, Metheny said, noting the company plans to operate 10 restaurants by the end of 2014.

Hamra Enterprises subsidiary Wendy's of Missouri Inc. operates 34 franchise locations of the Wendy's Co. fast food chain (Nasdaq: WEN). Hamra Enterprises also operates Boston Bread LLC, a Panera Bread franchisee in the greater Boston area; Chicago Bread LLC, a Panera franchisee in the greater Chicago area; SJH Hotels LLC, a hotel ownership company; and Jade Properties, a real estate holdings company, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.[[In-content Ad]]