Document and Entity Information Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2016	Aug. 01, 2016
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	NOODLES & Co
Entity Central Index Key	0001275158
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-03
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 28, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Common Class A [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		26,324,707
Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,522,098