Making them the first franchise companies to do so, Noodles & Company and WOWorks have adopted the Pathways to Black Franchise Ownership Program.

 Making them the first franchise companies to do so, Noodles & Company and WOWorks  have adopted the Pathways to Black Franchise Ownership Program.

 Making them the first franchise companies to do so, Noodles & Company and WOWorks  have adopted the Pathways to Black Franchise Ownership Program.

   Noodles & Company is a fast-casual pasta concept with nearly 450 locations. WOWorks owns Saladworks, which calls itself the nation's leading fast-casual salad brand. 

     The Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance and 4thMVMT launched the Pathways to Black Franchise Ownership Program in October 2020 with a $2.5 million commitment from PepsiCo.

  The development training program is a big deal as its geared to create 100 Black-owned franchise restaurants late 2003.

  Noodles & Company and WOWorks will central Pathways partners and have officially added the program to their respective franchising development and unit growth strategies. That means those companies will provide qualifying participants with specialized Pathways training, coaching, mentoring and other support to open both single and/or multi-unit franchise businesses.

Franchising has been popular withy Black entrepreneurs to years and many are selecting this path instead  traditional small businesses at a more rapid rate than the overall population. Figures have show about 31%  of franchise businesses were owned by minorities, In contrast, non-franchised businesses have roughly 19% minority ownership. 

  Black Americans also favor franchising because it allows you to run your own business, build your net worth and can offers future wealth-building opportunities for individuals and families.   

"While our industry is one of the most diverse in the U.S., underrepresentation in ownership is clear with only eight percent of restaurants being Black-owned," said Gerry Fernandez, President and Founder of MFHA.

John Ramsay, Noodles & Company vice president of franchise sales, stated, "Earlier this year, Noodles & Company advanced our own inclusion and diversity initiatives by taking the CEO Action pledge and we see becoming one of the first restaurant brands to partner with MFHA on Pathways as a natural next step in that journey. "

    WOWorks CEO Kelly Roddy added, "We want to give more Black entrepreneurs the opportunity to become a part of our family of healthy fast-casual brands, which can also boost their communities. Increasing the number of African-American business owners in the nation starts with franchisors like us, and we are committed to fostering and supporting franchisees every step of the way."

Why Noodles & Co. Joined Black Franchise Ownership Program

Growing franchise restaurant concepts, Noodles & Company and WOWorks have adopted a new program that could help the brands add new Black franchisees.