ELECTION INFORMATION: Here's your guide

Noodles & Company brings in former Starbucks executive to reverse 2015 losses

Chloe Aiello

Jul. 20, 2016, 1:10 p.m.

Jul. 20, 2016, 1:10 p.m.

Increases in competition forced Noodles to close 16 locations last year. (Courtesy of Noodles & Company) — Increasd competition forced Noodles to close 16 locations last year. (Courtesy of Noodles & Company)

Colorado-based Noodles & Company has named industry pro Victor R. Heutz as its new chief operating officer as it tries to make up for losses in 2015.

Heutz, who has executive experience at companies such as Buffalo Wild Wings, Starbucks, and Cold Stone Creamery, will oversee daily operations, strategic planning and guest services, according to a news release.

A few factors have hurt Noodles lately, according to Denver Business Journal:

Drops in stock due to competition
Below-average sales
Higher labor costs
Marketing costs

But the company’s executives think Heutz could help the “fast-casual” chain.

“Not only is Victor an accomplished executive, with more than 25 years of financial and multi-unit operational leadership experience, but I believe his enthusiasm and passion for excellence will be infectious in elevating our system-wide operations structure, while furthering our ‘Made.Different.’ brand positioning,” CEO Kevin Ruddy said in a press release.

Heutz has stated that he is thrilled about joining the brand.

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