Gen-Z, Millennial Opps: Noodles & Company launches latest spot in transformation-oriented campaign

Noodles & Co. (N&C) features one of its quirkiest fans in its newest campaign. Dubbed "Noodles' Biggest Fan," the work was designed as part of the company's "Uncommon Goodness" platform, its ongoing effort to reposition. Made by Fortnight Collective, it rolled out nationally on CTV and digital media channels such as Facebook and Instagram. The company will also launch OOH in Denver and Chicago, along with an integration with video game network Anzu. Sellers should get in touch soon to secure last-minute ad dollars. 

This new campaign reflects an increasing desire to build N&C's brand awareness and increase engagement while it ramps up expansion plans. Its 450 units are currently concentrated in CO and the Midwest, and the company expects to grow 10% each year until it reaches 1.5k units.

The new platform especially benefits loyalty program members; it just launched LEANguini, a menu item with 56% fewer net carbs. Loyalty members can taste the new product first, weeks before the rest of the world.

According to Pathmatics, N&C has spent approximately $264.7k on digital ads YTD, 71% more than the approximately $154.8k spent within the same 2021 timeframe. The company's estimated full-year 2021 spend, $392.2k, reached 38% less than that of the $631.2k in 2020. So far this year, N&C has earned around 37.8m digital impressions via Facebook (60%), Instagram (29%) and desktop display (11%) ads. This year's desktop display ads have been placed via The Trade Desk onto site destinations such as yahoo.com (49%), realtor.com, foxnews.com, chegg.com and whowhatwear.com.

As you can tell, digital spend is on the rise again after having died down some last year. This sharp increase in digital spend, along with N&C's reliance on paid social channels, leads me to believe it's primarily targeting Gen-Z and millennials. Since this audience typically responds well to digital advertising, N&C will likely make future forays into additional digital channels such as OTT and/or podcasts.

Agency & martech readers - The company expired from the VAI earlier this year due to our time constraints, but you might still have a shot at securing project-based work. N&C currently works with PR AOR Konnect Agency, media buying AOR IMM, creative AOR Fortnight Collective (2020) and social AOR Blue Bear Creative. Winmo states the company also receives media assistance from Global Media Group.