Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 01, 2014
Operating activities
Net (loss) income	$ (2,752)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 1,424us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	6,919	5,610
Deferred income taxes	(1,544)us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	0us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Restaurant impairment, asset disposals and closure costs	6,080	214
Amortization of debt issuance costs	25us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts	25us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts
Stock-based compensation	161us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation	140us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Other noncash	(11)us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense	0us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	708	244
Inventories	(277)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories	(400)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(342)	(573)
Accounts payable	459	1,441
Deferred rent	1,646ndls_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRent	1,396ndls_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRent
Income taxes	(463)	930
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	2,717	(194)
Net cash provided by operating activities	13,326	10,257
Investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(9,783)	(11,510)
Net cash used in investing activities	(9,783)	(11,510)
Financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	82,257	41,909
Payments on long-term debt	(87,298)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfNotesPayable	(41,621)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfNotesPayable
Acquisition of treasury stock	0	(71)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, warrants and employee stock purchase plan	1,230	736
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(3,811)	953
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(268)	(300)
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period	1,906	968
End of period	$ 1,638	$ 668

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