Interstate Waste Services

Teaneck-based hauler Interstate Waste Services continues to grow its presence across the Tri-State area with a string of acquisitions over the past year and a half, including Grand Sanitation Service Inc. in Plainfield; North Atlantic Waste & Recycling in North Haven, Conn.; Pinto Service Inc. in Lodi; Oak Ridge Waste & Recycling in Danbury, Conn.; Marangi Disposal in upstate New York and Seaside Waste Services in Hammonton.

Founded in 1999, IWS offers trash pickup, dumpster rentals and recycling services to businesses as well as residential customers across New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. In addition to a fleet of more than 1,000 collection vehicles, the family-owned company boasts a network of 33 material recovery, transfer and transload facilities as well as rail-served solid waste landfill.

The past year also saw IWS open a $30 million facility in North Arlington that is considered one of the most advanced recycling centers in the U.S. And, as part of a collaboration with Sesame Workshop, IWS prominently featured Oscar the Grouch on its first all-electric collection truck in New York City.

JAG Physical Therapy

JAG Physical Therapy, headquartered in Bridgewater, is one of the fastest-growing providers of physical and occupational therapy in the Northeast, now operating over 170 locations across New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

Founded by John Gallucci Jr., the company achieved a milestone in 2025 when it became the first outpatient physical therapy provider with locations in all 21 New Jersey counties.

JAG has earned recognition for its rapid growth and patient-centered approach, including the NJBIZ Health Care Heroes Award and as a finalist for the upcoming 2025 NJBIZ Business of the Year Awards. The company has forged partnerships with major sports organizations and universities, such as the New Jersey Devils; Philadelphia 76ers; and Rutgers, Princeton and Seton Hall universities.

Gallucci also recently authored “Pickleball Pickleball Pickleball: Don’t Get Hurt,” a guide on injury prevention in the rapidly growing sport. “Our model is JAG Physical Therapy is here to care for everybody,” Gallucci told NJBIZ.

Jersey Mike’s Subs

Founded in 1956, Jersey Mike’s started out as a small sandwich shop in Point Pleasant. With more than 3,200 locations in the U.S. and Canada, it is now one of the fastest-growing quick service restaurants in North America.

Since being acquired by private equity giant Blackstone earlier this year for a reported $8 billion, the Manasquan-based chain has undergone several leadership changes after longtime CEO and founder Peter Cancro stepped down and transitioned to the role of chairman. Cancro also remains a significant minority shareholder in the company he spent decades building and is involved in charitable outreach for Jersey Mike’s.

With more than 30 years of experience driving growth at high-profile franchised brands like Wingstop and Salad and Go, Jersey Mike’s new CEO Charlie Morrison is focused on investing in technology, strengthening franchise operations and expanding internationally, especially in key markets like the U.K. and Canada.

Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson is a global health care leader with a nearly 140-year legacy of innovation across pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer health – headquartered in New Brunswick. Since its founding in 1886, the company has maintained deep ties to New Jersey, employing over 15,000 residents and spending roughly $3 billion annually with local suppliers.

In 2025, J&J announced a $55 billion U.S. investment over four years to expand R&D, technology, and manufacturing. The company is a Founding Sponsor of NJBioFutures, a public-private workforce development partnership with New Jersey community colleges. J&J also recently completed major acquisitions, including Halda Therapeutics and Intra-Cellular Therapies, while CEO Joaquin Duato was named chair of the New Jersey CEO Council, advising the governor on economic strategy.

“With a sharpened focus on the six priority areas of Oncology, Immunology, Neuroscience, Cardiovascular, Surgery and Vision, Johnson & Johnson is in a new era of accelerated growth and innovation, with pioneering treatments that will continue to transform lives,” said Duato.

K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel

Berkeley Heights-headquartered K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel is a leading provider of luxury dog boarding and day care, known for its cage-free resorts, hospital-grade ventilation, antimicrobial flooring and professionally trained staff.

Founded in 2005 by brothers Steven and Jason Parker, the brand has expanded nationally. The Parkers were named 2025 EY Entrepreneur of the Year for New Jersey.

In 2025, K9 Resorts celebrated record growth, with systemwide revenue increasing over 35% and projections to more than double by 2027. The company hosted its 2025 National Conference, honoring franchisee excellence through awards and more.

Looking ahead, K9 Resorts will launch K9 Fetch, a business intelligence platform, and new wellness programs – with plans to open 25 new locations next year. “From providing an umnatched guest experience to driving strong business performance, our franchisees and team members continue to raise the bar,” said Jason Parker. “We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together and even more excited for what’s ahead.”

Kayco

A family-owned business headquartered in Bayonne, Kayco is the nation’s largest kosher food purveyor. Additionally, it sources and distributes products to the general market to help meet the demands of consumers looking for specialty food products that are healthful, convenient, and/or for restricted diets and lifestyles. The ninth generation family-run company’s portfolio of 175-plus brands includes iconic names like Manischewitz, Kedem and Gefen.

Within the past year, Kayco has further extended its reach with the acquisition of Paramount Foods LLC, a Long Hill-based wholesaler that provides natural and organic healthy snacks to retailers across New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

It is also continuing a rebrand of Manischewitz as part of an effort to connect the 130-year-old brand with younger growing families. That campaign has included the rollout of new products designed to appeal to modern palates, as well as an innovative new food truck as a way to offer consumers a fresh, fun way to engage with Jewish food culture beyond the supermarket aisle.

Mama’s Creations

Based in East Rutherford, Mama’s Creations bills itself as a one-stop shop for prepared foods. Its all-natural beef, turkey, chicken and pork meatballs along with other Italian products can be found at over 12,000 retailers nationwide, including Costco, Kings, Whole Foods Market, ShopRite, Stop & Shop and The Fresh Market. It’s also a favorite among QVC shoppers.

As part of a goal to reach $1 billion in annual revenue by 2030, the 15-year-old company purchased a Long Island- headquartered Sysco Corp. subsidiary in September that makes value-added proteins and ready-to-eat meals in a deal worth $17.5 million. Other acquisitions in recent years include Creative Salads & Olive Branch LLC and Chef Inspirational Foods for $14 million and $3.65 million, respectively.

Mama’s Creations also rolled out its latest innovations this year, including fully cooked and seasoned roasted chicken strips and premium side dishes of roasted vegetables. The company is also adding more globally inspired prepared offerings, such as Korean barbecue meatballs, teriyaki chicken and fried rice.

Mars Wrigley

Mars makes some of the country’s best-known and most popular sweets, including Snickers, M&Ms, Skittles and Twix candy, along with Doublemint and Juicy Fruit chewing gum. Those and other products generate annual sales of about $45 billion.

But the snack giant goes beyond satisfying consumer cravings. Last year, the company opened of a new, state-of-the-art research & development facility in Warren County. And as part of an ongoing effort to support innovation in products and processes, the Newark-based company invested more than $70 million to build an innovation studio at its longtime campus in Hackettstown. According to Mars, the 20,000-square-foot site aims to help increase the speed of innovation and development to meet evolving consumer preferences.

More recently, the company announced earlier this year that it would begin making some of its biggest brands withoug food, drug and cosmetics colors. “At Mars Wrigley, we are in the business of delighting and treating the millions of consumers who love our products,” Anton Vincent, president of Mars Wrigley North America & Global Ice Cream, said of the move. “Our approach is always consumer-focused and science-led, and all of our delicious Mars Wrigley products meet the high standards and applicable regulations set by food safety authorities around the world, including the FDA.”

McCarter & English LLP

For decades, McCarter & English has ranked among the most prominent names in the state’s legal firmament. The Newark-based firm is, according to the New Jersey Law Journal, New Jersey’s largest law firm by headcount.

McCarter was founded in 1845 and now has offices in several states, offering a full range of expertise on every important legal subject.

And it keeps growing. In September, the firm announced the acquisition of a three-lawyer boutique outfit based in New York City that specializes in securities and corporate law. The deal brought in Ross Law Group managing partner and founder Gary Ross, special counsel Matthew Winkel and associate Blessing Adeyeye.

The team focuses on work with venture capital and other investment funds, asset management firms, small- and mid-cap public companies, foreign private issuers and venture-backed companies across the U.S., Asia and Africa.”It was important to find a sophisticated, full-service platform that could build on the success of Ross Law Group while meeting more of our clients’ legal needs,” Ross said. “McCarter offers that and shares our commitment to client service, responsiveness and collaboration, and gives us the opportunity to play a part in the continued growth of McCarter’s corporate practice and New York office.”

Merck & Co.

As one of the world’s top research-intensive biopharmaceutical companies, Merck helps maintain New Jersey’s reputation as a cradle of drug development. Founded more than a century ago, the Rahway-based company provides innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals.

Merck has been and remains active on the M&A front. Just last month, the company announced the acquisition of Cidara Therapeutics Inc. in a deal worth $9.2 billion. The buyer will gain access to the San Diego-headquartered biotech’s experimental flu antiviral.

Known as CD388, the therapy is under development as a non-vaccine alternative. Cidara believes the drug has the potential to be a single-dose, universal prevention against all flu strains. Over the summer, Merck expanded its pipeline and portfolio of cardio-pulmonary disease treatments by acquiring Verona Pharma plc. The deal for the biopharmaceutical company focused on respiratory diseases is valued at approximately $10 billion. The move will add Ohtuvayre, a first-in-class selective dual inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 3 and 4. The drug received FDA approval in 2024 for the maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adults. And in April, Merck earned recognition as one of the country’s best 100 places to work from Fortune magazine.

mooomo

Moomoo is a Jersey City-based global investment and trading platform. Founded in 2018 in Silicon Valley, the company relocated its U.S. headquarters to Hudson County in 2024, signing a 10-year lease at Harborside Jersey City.

The company serves more than 28 million users worldwide, offering advanced trading tools, Level 2 market data, AI-driven insights, and an engaged investor community – empowering both beginner and experienced traders to make informed investment decisions.

In 2025, moomoo expanded its brand presence through a multiyear partnership with the New York Mets, including a 36-foot, double-sided display at Citi Field; premium in-game experiences; giveaways and the “moomoo Million” $1 million grand prize tied to team victories. The company also actively supports local communities, sponsoring the Jersey City Marathon and partnering with educational institutions to promote financial literacy.

Recently, moomoo launched the NYC “Trade Smart” OOH campaign, reaching 3.4 million daily commuters to reinforce its data-driven trading platform.

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