Noodles & Company, a restaurant chain providing a variety of dishes from around the world, is set to open at 400 S. Duff Ave. on Sept. 21. 

Jill Preston, director of communications, said Noodles & Company restaurants tend to do particularly well in college towns. The company has more than 260 restaurants nationwide, with another 30 to be added yet this year.

“What’s nice about it is the convenience and speed of fast food, but the quality is more comprable to a sit-down restaurant,” she said.

Noodles & Company fashions itself as an alternative to fast food, with prices around $7 and service within 5 minutes of ordering, Preston said, but also featuring a nicer atmosphere, such as serving food with real dishes and silverware.

The company is also looking to hire local employees. Preston said on average, each chain hires between 20 and 40 people.

The menu:

Noodles & Company’s menu features dishes from America, Asia and the Mediterranean, all centered around the noodle. They also offer a variety of soups, salads and appetizers.

“It’s kind of like three menus rolled into one,” Preston said, “I think that’s why we’ve been so popular.”

The menu is also friendly to special diets. Preston said of the 18 core dishes, 16 start out vegetarian, with the option to add chicken, shrimp or beef.

The company’s website offers more information for other diets, such as vegan, low-gluten, low-sodium or less than 500 calories.

The restaurant also offers to-go orders and a selection of beer and wine.