National Noodle Day Offers: The History of the Noodle(s) AND the Company

Noodles are special. The stretchy strands are an endlessly versatile vehicle for any sauce, vegetable or topping that you can think of and come in many shapes and textures. They can be slurped up in your favorite ramen or savored in an unbelievably creamy mac & cheese. For a business that has been open for over 30 years, there is truly no one who knows noodles better than we do. We are ‘Noodles & Company’ after all.

Which is why we are especially excited for National Noodle Day on October 6th. We want to make sure we celebrate the humble hero that has lent us its name and has nourished our guests. For every noodle-loving fanatic, we have compiled every way Noodles & Company is celebrating as well as detailing fun-facts about our favorite carb.

Oh, and before I get too deep into the noodle lore, don’t forget Noodles Rewards members can enjoy $3 off a Regular-Sized Entrée on October 5th through the 6th if you want to celebrate National Noodle Day alongside us.

 

The History of the Noodle

It feels like noodles have been around forever and honestly, that very well may be the truth! There is no direct, traceable link to who exactly came up with the idea, but we know that variations of them span continents. From China to Italy, the noodle has been known to be a symbol of good health, a long life and wealth. Below we have listed some of our most popular noodles and how best to enjoy them:
 

• Spaghetti: This classic noodle is one of the most used types of pasta. Originating from Italy, this long strand is perfect to twirl on your fork, especially when paired with a good meat sauce or a savory protein such as meatballs. Might we recommend the spaghetti and meatballs if you’re looking for this classic. 
• Elbow: Also hailing from Italy, this pasta shape is crafted to capture sauce through its hollowed-out center. Though it is simple, it is the most popularly used shape for a classic mac and cheese and is the perfect size for younger eaters. You may also hear it lovingly referred to as the “macaroni noodle,” here in the states. For the elbow lovers, we recommend the classic Creamy Cheddar Mac and Cheese.
• Ramen: Created in Japan, this springy wheat noodle has traditionally been paired with a light broth. Recently however, ‘Ramen Hacks’ have grown in popularity where the noodle has been used with untraditional ingredients as these noodles lends itself well to endless creations. If you’re a ramen lover, our Spicy Korean Steak Ramen noodles are an excellent choice and keep an eye out later this month for more exciting news! 
• Egg Noodles: These wavy noodles were first formed in China. They come in many different shapes but are differentiated by their texture. Chewy and versatile, they are commonly used in stroganoffs and stir fries. For those who love our seasonal return of Steak Stroganoff or our Buttery Parmesan Noodles, both of these have egg noodles! 
• Cavatappi: This corkscrew shaped noodle is a spherical helix, the more intense version of an elbow noodle! This quirky shape can capture a large amount of sauce and is one of the few noodles that can be used in both casseroles and salads. Check it out in our Basil Pesto Cavatappi or Mediterranean Chicken Salad! 
• Rigatoni: Yet another Italian creation, this wide, tubular shaped pasta has an incredible ability to encapsulate both sauce and fresh ingredients at the same time. Since it is also slightly ridged on its sides, this shape has a very specific feel and is ideal for a ragu or ziti. Try our spin with it in the Rigatoni Rosa with Parmesan Crusted Chicken, a true textural delight! 
• Udon: This extremely thick noodle that was born in Japan, is a perfect addition to soups, curries but also can be featured with minimal ingredients so that it can truly shine. Our version, the Japanese Pan Noodles, caramelizes the noodle with sauce so that it takes on a slight crunch on the outside, but remains chewy on the inside. 
• Before you come for me about the lasagna noodles, angel hair, shells, or countless other noodle options, there’s only so many words one girl can write! While we love all noodle shapes, I’ve spotlighted the ones that we do carry here at Noodles and Company. 
   

Special Promotion for Noodles Rewards Members

We all know that the only place you can really celebrate National Noodle Day properly is with us at Noodles & Company. There really is no way that you can go wrong with any of our fresh, made on the spot menu items, all of which feature the beloved noodle! From a classic spaghetti to a cheeky cavatappi, we have options that are sure to delight everyone. We made sure to have your National Noodle Day plans covered as we will be offering $3 off any Regular Entrée for our beloved Noodles Rewards members. Indulge in your favorite standby or try something new, there is no right way to celebrate other than making sure you pay us a visit!

This special offer is only available from October 5th through the 6th so make sure that you are signed up for our Noodles Rewards program to ensure that you don’t miss it. 

 

Noodles & Company’s Birthday: A Little More History

To continue our little walk down memory lane, I have a few more history lessons for you. Fittingly, not only is National Noodle Day in October but so is Noodles & Company’s birthday! On October 4th, Noodles & Company will be 31 years old and with that comes expertise that only time can bring. Aaron Kennedy opened the first Noodles location in Cherry Creek, Colorado in 1995 with the mission of nourishing and inspiring our guests by providing quality meals made with fresh ingredients by team members that truly love their craft. The idea that we have to get it right every time we serve a guest by presenting only the best bowl possible is a core belief that has led us to where we are today. 

A couple other fun historical facts about Noodles and Company for you:
 

• While our first location was in Cherry Creek, our second was State Street in Madison, Wisconsin.
• Noodles founder Aaron Kennedy helped create the modern day "lunchable" at Oscar Mayer before founding Noodles.
• Noodles founder Aaron Kennedy is the original artist behind our old branding and what we lovingly refer to as “noodle doodles”. 
• We became a public company in 2013. 
• We met our goal of opening 20 new stores by 2001, for a total of 37 noodle shops in operation. Today, we have nearly 400 locations across the US. 
• Yes, we offer gluten-free noodles for our gluten-free guests. We also have unique options like cheese-stuffed tortelloni and recently updated our menu to include the modern rigatoni noodle. We are always looking for ways to help guests indulge while still being protein packed.
• A phrase we’ve lived by since day one is “Every guest. Every bowl. Every Time”. 

We love that our birthday is closely linked to National Noodle Day, and we want to make sure that both are recognized properly. However, we always have fun offers going on for our Noodles Rewards members. Make sure that you have signed up for our Rewards program, so you don’t miss out on any current or future promotions!