Debt Agreement, Capital Expenditure Threshold In Current Fiscal Year

No definition available.

Name:	ndls_DebtAgreementCapitalExpenditureThresholdInCurrentFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	ndls_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Agreement, Capital Expenditure Threshold In Each Year After Current Fiscal Year

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ndls_DebtAgreementCapitalExpenditureThresholdInEachYearAfterCurrentFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	ndls_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Agreement, Capital Expenditure Threshold In Each Year After Third Fiscal Year

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ndls_DebtAgreementCapitalExpenditureThresholdInEachYearAfterThirdFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	ndls_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Agreement, Capital Expenditure Threshold In Next Fiscal Year

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ndls_DebtAgreementCapitalExpenditureThresholdInNextFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	ndls_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Agreement, Capital Expenditure Threshold In Next Fiscal Year, Liquidity-Based Performance Basket, Maximum

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ndls_DebtAgreementCapitalExpenditureThresholdInNextFiscalYearLiquidityBasedPerformanceBasketMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	ndls_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Agreement, Capital Expenditure Threshold In Second Fiscal Year After Current

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ndls_DebtAgreementCapitalExpenditureThresholdInSecondFiscalYearAfterCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	ndls_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Agreement, Capital Expenditure Threshold In Third Fiscal Year After Current

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ndls_DebtAgreementCapitalExpenditureThresholdInThirdFiscalYearAfterCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	ndls_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of amortization expense attributable to debt issuance costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121586364&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(8))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120395209&loc=SL114868664-224227

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119993939&loc=d3e28555-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, before unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120520924&loc=SL6031897-161870

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120398452&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The average effective interest rate during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119993939&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateDuringPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of the required periodic payments applied to principal.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of unamortized debt discount (premium) and debt issuance costs.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117329964&loc=d3e12355-112629

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117329964&loc=d3e12317-112629

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121586364&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119993939&loc=d3e28555-108399

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 22
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8736-108599

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (210.5-03(11))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120395209&loc=SL114868664-224227

Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 220
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.9)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120399700&loc=SL114874048-224260

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for the line of credit facility regardless of whether the facility has been used.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	srt_StatementScenarioAxis=srt_ScenarioForecastMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ndls_TwoThousandandEighteenCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ndls_TwoThousandandEighteenTermLoanFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ndls_TwoThousandandEighteenSwinglineSubfacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ndls_TwoThousandAndEighteenCreditFacilityAmendedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_BaseRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=ndls_FederalFundsRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_PrimeRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ndls_TwoThousandAndEighteenCreditFacilitySecondAmendmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ndls_PriorCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ndls_TwoThousandAndEighteenLineOfCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ndls_TwoThousandAndEighteenLineOfCreditFacilityAmendedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ndls_TwoThousandandEighteenCreditSubfacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)			9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended					14 Months Ended	16 Months Ended	38 Months Ended
Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Nov. 20, 2019	May 09, 2018	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Dec. 29, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019	Nov. 20, 2024	Sep. 30, 2021	Nov. 20, 2024	Jun. 16, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Indebtedness						$ 43,805,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs						1,700,000
Letters of credit outstanding						3,200,000
Interest expense						3,146,000	$ 2,942,000	$ 4,305,000
Amortization of debt issuance costs						371,000	474,000	607,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt						$ 0	746,000	626,000
Forecast
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Quarterly principal payments due			$ 187,500	$ 531,250	$ 375,000				$ 625,000
Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate during period						3.07%
Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate during period						6.25%
2018 Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility term		4 years
Loss on extinguishment of debt							$ 700,000
2018 Term Loan Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 25,000,000.0
2018 Swingline Subfacility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		10,000,000.0
Amended 2018 Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital expenditure limit in current fiscal year per agreement	$ 37,000,000.0
Capital expenditure limit in each year after current fiscal year	$ 45,000,000.0
Amended 2018 Credit Facility \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee percentage	0.20%
Amended 2018 Credit Facility \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee percentage	0.35%
Amended 2018 Credit Facility \| LIBOR \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.00%
Amended 2018 Credit Facility \| LIBOR \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.75%
Amended 2018 Credit Facility \| Base Rate \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.00%
Amended 2018 Credit Facility \| Base Rate \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.75%
Amended 2018 Credit Facility \| Federal Funds Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	0.50%
Amended 2018 Credit Facility \| Prime Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.00%
Second Amended 2018 Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital expenditure limit in current fiscal year per agreement												$ 12,000,000.0
Capital expenditure limit in next fiscal year per agreement												12,000,000.0
Liquidity-based performance basket in next fiscal year per agreement												12,000,000.0
Capital expenditure limit in 2022 per agreement												34,000,000.0
Capital expenditure limit in 2023 per agreement												37,000,000.0
Capital expenditure limit after 2023 per agreement												$ 45,000,000.0
Second Amended 2018 Credit Facility \| LIBOR \| Forecast
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate										3.25%
Second Amended 2018 Credit Facility \| LIBOR \| Minimum \| Forecast
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate											2.00%
Second Amended 2018 Credit Facility \| LIBOR \| Maximum \| Forecast
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate											3.00%
Prior Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment of debt								$ 600,000
Revolving credit facility \| 2018 Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		65,000,000.0
Revolving credit facility \| Amended 2018 Line of Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 75,000,000.0
Letter of credit \| 2018 Credit Subfacility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 15,000,000.0