Form 4: Noodles & Co CFO Michael Hynes Reports Equity Transaction

Noodles & Company CFO Michael Hynes acquired 12,628 restricted stock units and surrendered 853 shares for tax obligations.

Summary

• CFO Michael Hynes received an award of 12,628 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) on May 15, 2026.
• The reporting person surrendered 853 shares of Class A Common Stock to satisfy tax withholding requirements related to the vesting of previous equity awards.
• The shares surrendered were valued at $12.59 per share.
• Following these transactions, the CFO holds a total of 33,265 shares of Class A Common Stock.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a neutral administrative filing reflecting routine executive compensation and tax compliance.

Positives

• The CFO has increased his total beneficial ownership of company stock to 33,265 shares.
• The issuance of RSUs aligns the executive's long-term interests with those of the shareholders.

Negatives

• The transaction involved a mandatory tax withholding surrender, which is a standard administrative event rather than a market-driven sale.

Risks

• The value of the equity compensation is subject to the market performance of Noodles & Company (NDLS) stock.

Future Outlook

The RSUs granted will vest in four equal annual installments starting May 15, 2027, contingent upon continued service.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that this filing represents standard executive compensation activity within the restaurant sector, where equity-based incentives are commonly used to retain key financial leadership.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The use of RSUs with a four-year vesting schedule is consistent with standard executive compensation practices among mid-cap restaurant chains.
• Tax withholding via share surrender is a standard industry practice for public company executives.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders may view the increased equity stake of the CFO as a sign of long-term commitment to the company.

Next Steps

• Vesting of the first installment of the new RSU grant on May 15, 2027.

Key Dates

Keywords

Noodles & Company, NDLS, Form 4, Insider Trading, CFO, Equity Compensation, Restricted Stock Units