Noodles & Company has announced the 'Chicken Parmesan' baked meals, a new food item featuring penne pasta, marinara sauce, chicken breast, mozzarella cheese, and parsley. The new menu item is expected to debut on September 20, but Noodles Rewards loyalty members are able to enjoy the dish starting on September 6.
CEO Dave Boennighausen predicts that the meal will be popular as consumers gravitate towards familiar and delicious menu options. He also hopes that the 'Chicken Parmesan' baked meal will "[provide] a casual-dining favorite at a fast-casual price point and speed."
"Innovation is at the core of everything we do at Noodles & Company and we’re proud to bring a fresh, uncommonly good perspective to a beloved pasta dish. We’ve been serving made-to-order pastas from around the world since we opened our doors nearly 30 years ago, however, this is the first time we’ve offered our guests a baked entrée," said Nick Graff, Noodles’ vice president of culinary and executive chef.
Cheesy Parmesan Pasta Bakes
Noodles & Company Introduces the 'Chicken Parmesan' Menu Item
Trend Themes
1. Baked Meals - The introduction of the 'Chicken Parmesan' baked meal showcases a trend towards convenient and flavorful ready-to-eat options in the restaurant industry.
2. Fast-casual Pricing - Noodles & Company's goal of offering a casual-dining favorite at a fast-casual price point taps into a trend of providing high-quality meals at affordable prices.
3. Uncommon Perspectives - Noodles & Company's approach of bringing a fresh and uncommonly good perspective to a beloved pasta dish reflects a trend of innovation and differentiation in the food industry.
Industry Implications
1. Restaurant - The introduction of baked meals like the 'Chicken Parmesan' showcases an opportunity for restaurants to tap into the demand for convenient and flavorful ready-to-eat options.
2. Fast Food - The fast-casual pricing strategy presents an opportunity for fast food chains to attract customers by providing high-quality meals at affordable prices.
3. Food Innovation - Noodles & Company's unique approach to a beloved pasta dish highlights the potential for innovation and differentiation within the food industry.