More Noodles, Please

With more and more concepts are trying to gain a toehold in nearly every market's competitive dining scene, one company that’s doing just that – and then some – in Orlando with its latest venture.

The Orlando Sentinel reported Colorado-based Noodles & Company said it has inked a development agreement with a local franchisee to bring its restaurants to the Orlando and Gainesville areas.

The area franchisee, which operates under the Noodle Gang name, has agreed to open 18 Noodle & Company restaurants during the next six years. The first location is slated to launch by the end of this year and will be the chain's first store in Florida.

Noodles & Company offers Asian, Mediterranean and American inspired noodle dishes, soups and salads. It touts itself as a fresh, made-to-order chain with no microwaves or freezers. The chain claims its food is also good for the waistline, with two-thirds of its dishes less than 500 calories.