Noodles & Company promotes Joseph Christina from president to CEO

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Noodles & Company has promoted Joseph Christina from president and chief operating officer to president and chief executive officer. Christina will also join the board of directors, effective Aug. 31, the fast-casual chain said Tuesday.

He replaces Drew Madsen, who is stepping down for personal  medical reasons, the company said, but will facilitate the transition and remain on the board of directors.

Christina, formerly the CEO of Tijuana Flats, joined the fast-casual noodle chain in February.

The chain based in Broomfield, Colo., also announced a week delay in its quarterly earnings call, now scheduled for Aug. 13 after market.  

According to a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, Christina will receive an annual base salary of $550,000 — a $100,000 raise — and an annual bonus opportunity for the fiscal year of 100% that salary, prorated to his Feb. 2025 hire date. He will also receive 250,000 restricted stock units as an initial equity grant.

Madsen previously had been president of Panera Bread. He also spent 15 years at Darden Restaurants, including a nearly 10-year stint as president and chief operating officer.

He was named interim CEO in November of 2023, after the resignation of Dave Boennighausen. Madsen was named permanent CEO on March 6, 2024. Since then he has overseen the launch of a new menu in March of 2025 as well as the installation of digital menu boards. He also instituted operational efficiencies and updated the company’s training processes.

Christina began his career at Burger King, where he progressed from restaurant manager to franchisee to vice president of global operations and training to senior vice president of franchise operations for the West Division. He went on to join Church’s Chicken, now Church’s Texas Chicken, as executive vice president of U.S. operations. He went on to be the fried chicken chain’s chief executive officer before joining Tijuana Flats.

In a release announcing the transition, Christina said he was looking forward to his new role.

“I’m honored to lead Noodles & Company at such a pivotal moment,” Christina said in a statement. “This is a standout brand with a unique, revitalized menu, strong culture, and tremendous runway for growth. I am grateful for the opportunity to have joined the company under Drew’s leadership and look forward to leading a laser-focus on operational excellence as well as enhancing our menu offerings, to unlock long-term value for our guests, team members, franchisees and shareholders.”

Chairman of the board Jeff Jones thanked Madsen for his service and expressed enthusiasm about Christina taking on a new role.

“On behalf of the entire Board, I want to thank Drew for his steady leadership and service,” Jones said in a statement. “We’re pleased he will continue to provide guidance as a board director, given his vast industry experience and leadership as we have undertaken our brand revitalization work to date, and he has our full support.”

Of Christina, he said “Joe’s experience as a CEO at multiple restaurant concepts, combined with his leadership style and passion for operations excellence, will set Noodles up well for future success.”

Contact Bret Thorn at bret.thorn@informa.com