I shopped it last month as part of a "trial" shop program. I did both locations here. There was 0 pay and a $12 max reimbursement for one meal. You are required to order a noodle dish, side and drink. The reimbursement was close to the cost - one shop put me just under $12, the other cost me 50 cents. The food was acceptable but I didn't find it to be great. The service was also acceptable but not wonderful. It's expensive for what it is - $12 for a plate of noodles with sauce, small salad and glass of tea. If I'm eating pasta for lunch I'd rather hit Spaghetti Warehouse for a $5-7 lunch (depending on whether you eat spaghetti or lasagne, includes beverage, salad, and wonderful sourdough bread) with no report to write. I'd shop Noodles again if I wanted no pay but a quick meal in exchange for doing a 10-minute report, but I sure wouldn't go there on my own nickel.