Marketing

Amid the Zoodles and low-carb linguine, Noodles & Company finds what people want is steak

The fast-casual chain has run out of Steak Stroganoff after selling 110,000 bowls in the first two weeks. But don't worry, the LTO is coming back.
Stroganoff
The Steak Stroganoff LTO began April 10. | Photo courtesy of Noodles & Company.

Noodles & Company has run out of stroganoff.

The chain in April brought back a Steak Stroganoff LTO that it said was its most requested item. Wavy egg noodles were topped with a mushroom sherry cream sauce, fresh herbs, cracked pepper, mushrooms and, of course, marinated steak, along with a sprinkle of Parmesan and parsley.

In the first two weeks, the chain sold 110,000 bowls, making it one of the brand’s top-selling LTOs.

So Noodles & Company plans to bring it back for another go round in coming weeks—but they didn’t say when exactly, other than it will be before the end of the month.

In a press release Monday, the company said it was working hard to restock, saying the stroganoff will make one last appearance. The dish was offered for the suggested price of $10.95.

“Steak Stroganoff fans have surpassed every expectation of demand and excitement for the LTO since we announced its return and made the dish available again,” said Drew Madsen, Noodles’ CEO, in a statement. “Noodles & Company never sold out of an LTO before the availability period expired, and we are encouraging fans to savor the rich and creamy flavors that have amassed a dedicated following, whether for the first time, or the last before it’s gone once again.”

The sellout comes as Noodles works to reignite the brand under a new CEO, Drew Madsen, a board member who stepped in as interim in November, but was made permanent in March.

Madsen outlined plans for a complete menu overhaul, with the help of The Culinary Edge consulting group.

For the January-ended fourth quarter, the 460-unit chain reported a 9% decline in traffic at company-owned stores. Same-store sales systemwide were down 4.2%.

The company is scheduled to report first quarter results on Wednesday.

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