(EMAILWIRE.COM, January 20, 2002 ) Aaron Kennedy, president and founder of Noodles & Company, a 37-unit quick-casual privately-held restaurant chain, announced on January 17 that Ken Keymer will become president and co-chief executive officer, sharing the new chief executive role with Kennedy. Kennedy will also assume the title of chief concept officer. Keymer announced his resignation to the Sonic (Nasdaq/NM:SONC) board of directors today effective next month. Keymer is expected to begin is tenure with the Boulder-based Noodles & Company in February.

"Noodles & Company is a tremendous brand with tremendous potential," said Keymer. "I'm absolutely thrilled about the opportunity to join a growth company that is revolutionizing quick-casual, an entirely new industry segment. And, I'm impressed by how the Noodles & Company brand attributes and service culture has created a meaningful connection with the customer. I'm also impressed by the talented and passionate team that Aaron Kennedy has assembled to develop the company. I look forward to contributing my experience and energy to help this team take the company and the brand to the next level."

"Noodles & Company is at an exciting crossroads," said Kennedy. "Throughout the last six years, we've helped to define the quick-casual segment and we've pioneered and proven the global noodle shop concept, all while developing a successful base of restaurants throughout the U.S. Our continued expansion plans now require seasoned industry leadership to take the company to the next level."

"Ken has also helped to deliver results throughout his 20-year multi-unit restaurant career. With his scope of experience and track-record of success, he will help our team convert its current finesse-driven methods into disciplined systems that can be replicated." Kennedy also said that Keymer's personal and professional values, as well as his cultural fit, played a key role in the company's selection process.

Sonic hired Keymer to join its executive team in 1996. Keymer became a member of Sonic Corp.'s board of directors in 1999 and president and chief operating officer in early 2000. Sonic is the largest publicly held chain of drive-in restaurants in the U.S. with more than 2,300 locations and sales exceeding $2 billion. Keymer's experience also includes top leadership positions throughout the last 22 years with Boston Chicken, Perkins Family Restaurants, Taco Bell, Popeye's Fried Chicken and Hardees Food Systems. Keymer is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, where he earned a bachelor of science degree with a focus in mechanical engineering. Following graduation, he served for six years on active duty as a surface warfare specialist, achieving the rank of lieutenant commander. He also holds a master's degree in science, with emphasis in information technology, from George Washington University.

Noodles & Company is a global noodle shop that serves freshly prepared noodle cuisine for about $5 a bowl. The company was founded in 1995 in Boulder, Colo. by former Pepsi brand manager, Aaron Kennedy. The company's first restaurant opened in October of that year in the Cherry Creek North neighborhood of Denver, Colo. Noodles & Company's 2001 revenues totaled $28.4 million.

Noodles & Company was recently named one of the nation's hottest restaurant concepts by Nation's Restaurant News. It was also named one of Inc. Magazine's fastest-growing companies in 2001, ranked #45 on the Inc. 500 list.

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Produced for Noodles & Company

Contact:

Kelly Pascal Gould, APR
303-554-1963 x 124/303-324-6723

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Contact Information:
Noodles & Company
Joseph Nchor
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