CNBC Exclusive Interview With Kevin Reddy, CEO of Newly Public Noodles & Co.

Chairman and CEO of the restaurant company Noodles & Co. NDLS (and former COO of Chipotle Mexican Grille), Kevin Reddy, sat down with CNBC for a brief interview today. Noodles & Co. had its IPO today, with an IPO price of $18, an opening price of $32 and has traded as high as $37. Noodles will trade under the symbol NDLS on the Nasdaq Exchange:

What was the opportunity you saw here with noodles, did you expect it to do so well today?

“We’ve had great reception and interest, and just really through quality investors and quality people. We’re excited with what’s happening.”

Have quiet restaurant IPOs of late made you nervous?

“You know, not really. What we focus on is delivering a dining experience that we’re proud of, and if we’re building a good business and it’s an enduring brand, we really felt comfortable we would find the right way to grow.”

Proceeds have largely been used to pay down debt?

“That is correct.”

Talk a little about where you see the company heading

“Yes, we’ve been fortunate. We’ve been one of the best performing restaurant brands…over the last 5 years. We’ve already been delivering double-digit unit growth. We plan to continue that path.”

Selectiveness of potential franchisees?

“We’re incredibly selective. We run about 80% of the system as company owned restaurants, so we have the good fortune to really find folks that appreciate food, value serving others…that really pay attention to the tangible and intangible aspects of the dining experience.”

“We really look for successful businessmen and women that want to be engaged in the restaurant space.”

How do you keep the concept fresh and not a fad?

“We really focus on delivering great tasting dishes, we put a lot of choice in the guest’s hands. The broadness of our appeal and menu allows us to create culinary inspirations and appetizers and core dishes that cover a world of flavors and taste in one roof.”

“That really gives us plenty of places to experiment and bring phenomenal seasonal limited time offers as well as offer a great core menu.”

Noodles & Co. shares are trading at $35.30, +96.11%, at time of publication.