Document and Entity Information Document	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2014	Apr. 25, 2014 Common Class A [Member]	Apr. 25, 2014 Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	NOODLES & Co
Entity Central Index Key	0001275158
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Apr. 01, 2014
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		28,167,472	1,522,098