US-based fast casual chain Noodles & Company is expanding its restaurant footprint in Texas and Arkansas with the addition of two new franchise partners to its network.

The deals, which will expand the company’s presence in the southern US, will see the opening of 24 restaurant units.

The company signed a 20-unit deal in Texas with seasoned restauranteur Syed Ahmad, who agreed to open these restaurants in the Dallas market.

Ahmad intends to open the outlets across Collin, Denton, Rockwell and Dallas County in Texas.

Meanwhile, a four-unit agreement was signed with Paven Sandhu and her business partner- husband Navi Sandhu, to open Noodles & Company locations in Northwest Arkansas.

The Sandhus plan to open restaurants across the Rogers, Fayetteville and Bentonville markets and will be the first to operate the brand in Arkansas.

Noodles & Company CEO Dave Boennighausen said: “Noodles & Company has a strong presence in 30 states from coast to coast, but for some time we have targeted new unit development in the thriving Dallas market as well as rapidly growing Northwest Arkansas.

“We look forward to Noodles & Company entering these markets, along with welcoming Paven, Navi and Syed to the Noodles family. They are seasoned operators who share our team's values and have a great track record of bringing restaurant brands to new regions.”

With these latest franchise agreements, the fast casual brand continues to expand throughout the US. It also aims to extend its franchise footprint in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Oklahoma.

Noodles & Company franchise development vice-president John Ramsay said: “We are thrilled to partner with the Sandhus and Syed Ahmad to establish a significant and strategic Noodles presence in Northwest Arkansas and Dallas.

“This is a huge step for our franchise efforts at Noodles & Company and we're confident our new partners and their management teams will successfully lead and grow the brand in these markets.”