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Noodles & Co launches customized kids menu, goal of providing kids with 1M meals

Kids are top of mind at Noodles & Company this week as the chain launches a customized kids menu and a charitable platform for kids to help other kids.

October 2, 2015

Kids are top of mind at Noodles & Company this week as the chain launches a customized kids menu and a charitable platform to allow kids to help feed other kids.

Created for the future foodies of the world, according to a company press release, the new menu allows children age 10 and under, to create their own meals by choosing an entrée, two sides and a drink.

For every kids meal purchased between now through Sept. 29, 2016, Noodles & Company will donate five cents to No Kid Hungry, up to $100,000. With each $1 donated helping to connect a child with 10 healthy meals, the company is striving to provide 1 million meals to kids who need them, said Mark Mears, EVP and CMO.

"Beyond creating a menu tailored to our younger food lovers, we are excited to also announce our partnership with No Kid Hungry, encouraging kids to help other kids in their communities," he said. "Together, we will strive to provide 1 million meals to children who need them the most. We hope this new kids meal menu will not only nourish kids' bodies, but also help bring the family closer together while inspiring kids to make a difference."

The kids meal menu includes Wisconsin mac & cheese, spaghetti and meatballs, buttered noodles and grilled chicken with marinara dipping sauce and sides, such as broccoli, carrots, fruit or applesauce. Noodles & Company also partnered with the National Restaurant Association's Kids LiveWell program to provide flavorful options verified by Healthy Dining's nutrition experts, Mears said. Future foodies can add protein or veggies to any dish for the regular protein/veggie add-on price. They also have the option of substituting gluten-free pasta, free of charge.

To further inspire kids while they fuel up, Noodles & Company will challenge young guests with a thought-provoking and highly interactive placemat the whole family can work on while enjoying their dishes, Mears said. Founded upon the principles of S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics), the interactive placemat will feature a variety of brain teasers, puzzles, games, fun facts — as well as a link to videos highlighting the achievements of kids from around the world who have used these principles to invent, innovate or inspire positive change.

"We know that today's kids represent tomorrow's future and face a more complex set of challenges than at any point in history. Therefore, our goal at Noodles & Company is to empower kids to 'Use Your Noodle / Make A Difference' in ways that help make their communities — and indeed our world a better place — one bowl at a time," said Mears.