Gillis Organization

Gillis Organization runs 15 McDonald’s locations across the state, led by Julio Morgan Gillis, a second-generation McDonald’s operator, and his mother, Marty Gillis. The family also has six restaurants in Upstate New York. Altogether, the Gillis Organization’s workforce totals more than 1,200 employees.

Julio Gillis began his journey with McDonald’s in 1997 at the age of 15, working in his mother’s first location in Neptune. After earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science information systems from Stockton University, Gillis went on to work with the state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement and New Jersey Casino Control Commission.

Following eight years in the casino gaming industry, Gillis realized it wasn’t his true calling. Instead, he wanted to follow in his mother’s footsteps and become part of the McDonald’s franchise system. Ahead of his exit, Gillis earned an MBA in business administration and began taking courses through McDonald’s entrepreneurship programs to develop the skill set needed to be a future owner-operator.

In 2012, Gillis left his job, joined the family business on a full-time basis and began as general manager of the same restaurant he worked at while he was a teenager. Six years later, he was accepted into the McDonald’s Next Generation program, which helps children of franchisees learn how to grow their parents’ businesses.

Goya Foods

Goya is the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the U.S. and perhaps the most prominent family-owned business in New Jersey. Its products are featured in most major supermarkets, occupying ample shelf space.

Founded in 1936 by Prudencio Unanue Ortiz, Goya now produces more 2,500 food products from the Caribbean, Mexico, Spain, Central and South America. As the Hispanic population grew in New York and throughout the United States, the company said its product line and facilities expanded as well.

The company relocated from Manhattan to Brooklyn in 1958 and established its current New Jersey base in 1974. In 2005, Goya launched a 10-year strategic plan and invested $500 million in a global expansion, designed to reach new consumers and strengthen the brand worldwide.

From 2014 to 2016, Goya opened five new state-of-the-art manufacturing and distribution centers in Texas, California, Georgia and New Jersey to meet consumer demand. In all, the company now boasts 26 facilities throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Spain, and employs over 4,000 worldwide. The Unanue family still controls the company.

Greek Real Estate Partners

Greek Real Estate Partners is a nearly 60-year-old vertically integrated real estate firm. Managing Partner David Greek has helped pivot the GREP’s business model to offer third-party design/build, property management and acquisition services, more than doubling its staff and revenues and becoming one of the most active developers in the Northeast.

Since 1934, GREP has completed over 33 million square feet of development projects and has built an reputation for excellence in the New Jersey and Pennsylvania industrial real estate markets. Currently ranked the third-largest real estate developer in New Jersey, the company’s hallmarks include the long-term client relationships it has built and its proven expertise. GREP manages every phase of the development process, including site selection, design, construction, leasing, property management and tenant relations. The company’s team of experienced, in-house managers controls all aspects of the development process, culminating with clients cutting the ribbon and taking occupancy. GREP manages a portfolio encompassing over 22 million square feet in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Greek has also become an advocate for industrial real estate development in the state as chair of Circulate NJ, an organization with members from entities representing a broad spectrum of the actors in the space – law firms, developers, truckers and more.  While the market has been an important driver of economic activity, it has engendered some opposition. Circulate NJ aims to educate the public about the logistics industry and the role it plays in the economy.

The Hampshire Cos.

Based in Morristown, The Hampshire Cos. is a fully integrated real estate firm and real estate investment fund manager. It has over 60 years of experience in acquiring, developing, leasing, repositioning, managing, financing and disposing of real property.

The firm lays claim to having developed the first industrial park in the U.S. and now boasts more than $2.4 billion in assets under management — and a development pipeline throughout the East Coast across the multifamily, self-storage, industrial and retail sectors exceeding $1.2 billion. Among its recent projects is a new luxury rental building, dubbed Ora, which debuted in downtown Hackensack in February. Hampshire, along with project partners Russo Development and Riverbank Management LLC, developed the seven-story project.

Founded in 1976 by Jon Hanson – the son of well-known New Jersey developer, the late James E. Hanson – Hampshire has played a key role in some of the state’s largest developments, including American Dream, the Atlantic City Gateway Redevelopment project and a transformation of the former Bergen Record newspaper site in Hackensack into luxury residences.

Since 2004, Hampshire has been led by a third generation, with James Hanson II as president and chief executive officer. After taking on the role, he leveraged the firm’s real estate development experience to become a prominent fund manager, raising and deploying over $1.5 billion in equity.

Hartz Mountain Industries

Hartz Mountain Industries was founded in 1926 by Max Stern when he imported singing canaries from his native Germany to America. From these beginnings, the company grew into diversified privately-owned family business.

Today, its focus includes four lines of business: Industrial real estate, multifamily rental real estate, hospitality and renewable energy development. According to Hartz, the businesses are different but related. Overall the company’s portfolio includes warehouses, data centers, hotels, freestanding parking garages, multifamily residential rental units, offices and other properties. Its assets are located all along the East Coast in such major markets as New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Atlanta, Florida and the Carolinas.

Most recently, the company celebrated the capping off a 40-year transformation along New Jersey’s Hudson River Gold Coast. The Reserve at Estuary debuted at Lincoln Harbor in Weehawken at more than 60% leased.

The project at 1525 Harbor Blvd. represents the final waterfront development site within the 60-acre mixed-use community. According to Hartz, demand at its newest luxury residential building is notable for the surrounding neighborhood as well as for Secaucus-based Hartz.

“It’s certainly a record for us, in terms of leasing velocity,” Hartz President and COO Gus Milano told NJBIZ in August. “And I think the building speaks for itself.”

Huntington Learning Centers Inc.

Huntington bills itself as the nation’s leading tutoring and test prep provider. Eileen Huntington, a former high school teacher, and her husband, Raymond Huntington, founded Huntington Learning Center in 1977, with a mission to give every student the support they need to achieve academic success.

Eileen now serves as CEO, with Raymond as chairman of the board. Their daughter, Anne Huntington Sharma, is the president, focused on digital transformation, franchise expansion and strategic partnerships, ensuring the company’s continued growth.

The company’s goal is to remain a leader in tutoring and test prep by continuously evolving to meet student needs. Huntington aims to expand its digital learning platforms, incorporate cutting-edge educational technology and grow its franchise network.

By embracing innovation and focusing on personalized education, Huntington is committed to helping students succeed for generations to come. In addition, the company adapts to trends by embracing technology, incorporating AI and expanding online learning to meet the evolving needs of students. It also remains committed to personalized education, ensuring a balance between technology and human interaction. By staying agile and responsive to educational trends, Huntington says it will continue to provide solutions to challenges in tutoring and test prep.

Inserra Supermarkets Inc.

A member of Wakefern Food Corp., Mahwah-based Inserra Supermarkets owns and operates 23 ShopRites and two PriceRite Marketplaces in Bergen, Hudson and Passaic counties, as well as four stores in Rockland County, N.Y. In recent years, the grocer launched a Fresh Grocer location in a former Stop & Shop store.

The business is run by Chairman and CEO Lawrence Inserra Jr., the grandson of founder Patsy Inserra. After beginning in 1954 as a butcher shop in Lyndhurst, the company has grown to become one of the largest family-owned and operated supermarket chains in the metropolitan area.

A major employer in the region, Inserra provides full- and part-time positions to more than 5,000 associates. It’s also known for a range of charitable initiatives, regularly providing outreach and support to food pantries, hospitals, schools, religious institutions and other organizations. Partners include: the Center for Food Action, the Community FoodBank of NJ, Hackensack Meridian Health and Holy Name Medical Center.

Inserra aims to be an important part of the communities it serves. Along those lines, earlier this year the company became a participating sponsor of the Jersey City Marathon and Half Marathon. Race Director Steve Lipski said at the time, “We are thrilled to partner with ShopRite of Jersey City in their support of a growing local event. Providing the necessary and healthy products is essential to all of our runners’ recovery and race experience.”

IWS (Interstate Waste Services)

Based in Teaneck, Interstate Waste Services offers trash pickup, dumpster rentals, and recycling services to business and residential customers throughout New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, with CEO Michael DiBella in the lead.

“The IWS story begins with a family-owned and operated waste hauling business established in 1947,” according to IWS’s website. “Out of this family legacy, IWS was founded by a third-generation operator in 1998.”  Today, “Mike’s three sons are the fourth generation learning the business from the ground up by driving trucks and working in our maintenance department.”

IWS continues on a growth trajectory. In March, the company announced the acquisition of Pinto Service Inc. and National Transport Inc., a Lodi-headquartered, family-owned waste hauling company. Over the summer, IWS broadened its presence in Central and South Jersey with its purchase of Seaside Waste Services. The Hammonton-headquartered business provides solid waste and recycling collection services. And in September, IWS said it expanded its business again, in Connecticut, by acquiring North Atlantic Waste & Recycling. Based in North Haven, the family-operated company serves central and southern Connecticut.

And the company is growing organically as well. In April, IWS celebrated Earth Day with the launch of one of the most advanced recycling centers in the U.S. The company said $30 million facility in North Arlington will further its goal of modernizing waste management infrastructure for a more sustainable future.

Jersey Artisan Co.

Based in Morris County, Jersey Artisan provides Italian food specialty products made with local ingredients. According to the company, it was founded by Salvatore Pisani, who learned the crafts from his father, Rocco Pisani. Rocco came to the U.S. from Calabria, Italy, in 1986.

The company says it operates a state-of-the-art cheese facility in Whippany and a bake shop in East Hanover. All products are made in small batches, ensuring quality and attention to detail. Those products include fresh and aged cheeses, naturally leavened bread and pastries, fresh pasta and a variety of other artisanal offerings.

In addition to its cheese and baking operations, the company also recently opened Jersey Artisan Cafe, a restaurant in Morris Plains. The eatery, at the former site of another family-owned restaurant, also offers cheese and baked goods, along with breakfast, lunch and coffee.

“At Jersey Artisan Co, we embrace New Jersey’s rich agricultural heritage by celebrating the seasonal bounty of the Garden State,” the company says on its website. “Inspired by the traditions of Southern Italian living, we are committed to using locally sourced ingredients that support the region’s ecosystem and farming community.”

Jingoli

Jingoli has been building for more than a century. It is a fifth-generation family-owned, nationally ranked general construction, construction management and infrastructure solutions service provider with experience servicing public, power, industrial, health care, gaming and educational clientele.

The company is dedicated and proactive about conducting community outreach through service, education and mentorship so residents, businesses, and youth in those areas benefit from their presence and involvement. Jingoli’s people believe strongly in strengthening communities alongside the buildings they are constructing, and have created many success stories along the way.

Led by CEO Joseph Jingoli Jr., the business is no stranger to big-ticket projects or big-name partners. Those include PSE&G, Atlantic City Electric, Cooper University Health Care, DEVCO, RWJBarnabas Health, Rowan University and others.

Last year, Jingoli celebrated the topping out of HELIX H-1 — the first of three towers planned for the transformative Health + Life Sciences Exchange project taking shape in New Brunswick.

Through its Competitive Edge program, the company identifies, introduces and utilizes local talent whenever possible. The initiative trains youth and adults for long-term, meaningful careers in construction and the building trades.

Kayco

Founded in 1948, Bayonne-based Kayco is a ninth-generation family-owned business. The nation’s largest kosher food purveyor is also one of the largest grape juice manufacturers in the country, in addition to offering all natural, gluten free, vegan, fair trade and organic and non-GMO certified products.

Formed through the 2019 merger of Kedem, Kenover Marketing and Blue and White Foods, Kayco distributes more than 5,000 products across the frozen, grocery and perishable categories. Among its banners is Manischewitz. Founded in 1888, Kayco has been busy working to introduce a whole new generation – and group of shoppers – to the kosher food category giant. And the company continues to build. It kicked off 2025 acquiring Paramount Foods LLC. The Long Hill-based wholesaler provides natural and organic healthy snacks to retailers in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. At the time, Kayco Chief Sales Officer Harold Weiss said the deal enhances distribution in the “critical” Northeast, as well as expands its brand offerings.

In that vein, during the 2025 NACS Show in Chicago this month, Kayco was set to unveil something more in its better-for-you efforts: cold-pressed Wonder Juice juices and Craize Snacks, a treat that transforms a Latin American arepa into a crispy, flavorful cracker.

Landmark Hospitality

Founded in 2001 by husband-wife team Jeanne and Frank Cretella, the family affair added daughter Maddy Cretella in 2015. Today, the director of marketing and branding is helping her parents grow the by Landmark brand.

The women-owned business owns and operates distinctive venues, boutique hotels and restaurants throughout the tristate area. Since starting with its first property, Liberty House in Jersey City, Landmark has grown to nearly 30 venues in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Its restaurant brands include multiple locations each for Felina and Landmark Tavern – the latter featured at its Ryland Inn and Stone House. The company also recently launched The Albion Summit hotel.

Beyond its hospitality work, Landmark also has a hand in tech – through its proprietary operational software as well as club app – and runs a nonprofit. The Art of Hospitality Workers Alliance has schools in Jersey City, Plainfield and Summit. Since 2019, the foundation has given back by preparing people for success in the hospitality industry. The institute also partners with Hudson County Community College and Fairleigh Dickinson University and offers a pathway to employment. Under its Landmark Developers, the developer and operator of hospitality real estate owns and operates over 1.2 million square feet of space while overseeing all phases of development, including with its in-house construction company, Black Dog Construction.

Larken Associates

Larken Associates is a regional leader in real estate building, development and management. This year, the family-owned business celebrates 60 years in business. Founded by Lawrence Gardner, Larken started constructing single-family homes before growing to encompass a wider footprint and incorporate more ambitious residential and commercial developments.

Current President and CEO – and Lawrence’s son – David Larken, joined in 1985. Together the father-son leadership team continued to expand into new asset classes, including multifamily, self-storage, flex and industrial, retail, and professional and medical space. Today, the diverse portfolio comprises nearly 4 million square feet and 1,000 tenants in commercial spaces in addition to approximately 3,000 owned and managed residential units spread across 20 “Larken Living” communities.

Beyond that, Larken’s multifamily pipeline is set to deliver another 1,500 units, too. The company also gives back to the community through Larken Cares. The initiative encourages employees to support global and local causes, such as America’s Grow-A-Row, Norwescap New Jersey, Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative, YWCA York and more. One of Larken’s marquee causes includes supporting From Houses to Homes. Over the years, the team has sent numerous members to Guatemala to help build homes, resuming the treks in 2022 after a break due to the pandemic.

Like Air Puffcorn

Since appearing on ABC’s “Shark Tank” in 2024, Like Air Puffcorn has been busy building its snacking options and racking up fans. Founded by siblings Allison Lin and Steve and Kevin Atieh in 2020, the group landed a deal with investors Lori Greiner and Mark Cuban on a January 2024 episode of the pitch competition show that secured them $300,000 backing in return for a 10% stake.

LikeAir offers better-for-you snacking options, including its signature puffcorn. The treat eliminates pesky kernels from popcorn, making the snack easier to eat and available to a wider base. The nut-free and gluten-free munchies are made in a facility free from eight major allergens. Treats come in a range of flavors, such as white cheddar, sour cream & onion, cinnamon bun and more.

The company has also started partnering to expand its reach and products. In July, Like Air revealed its first product collaboration with Prime Bites to deliver a limited-edition bundle exclusively on TikTok Shop, tapping into trends on the app as well as in snacking. Prime Bites offers high-protein snack options. Like Air launched its monthly TikTok Shop flavor drop program in August 2024 and has since leaned into the platform for expansion. For traditional shoppers, Like Air has nationwide distribution and is available at banners including CVS, Wegmans, Giant, Meijer, Kroger, ShopRite and more.

Mesob Ethiopian Restaurant

Mesob Ethiopian Restuarant has been serving diners in Montclair for more than two decades, weathering challenges including Hurricane Ida and the pandemic, all the while keeping plates and bellies full. Started by sisters Berekti and Akberet “Aki” Mengistu, the Bloomfield Avenue business serves authentic Ethiopian cuisine in a communal and cozy setting.

When they started the business – without any formal restaurant training or experience – the pair sought to share the culture and food, which are often intertwined, of where they came from. With space for 32 tables, including a centrally located one that can host up to 15 guests, the menu offers vegetarian, vegan and meat-based options, serving a wide range of tastes and dietary requirements.

The eatery consistently earns high marks from diners, such as on Yelp where its rating tops 4 stars. “It takes love and respect,” Berekti Mengistu told NJBIZ earlier this year. “We have love for each other, love for our business and for our customers. I think that’s what got us here. I hear it from my customers, ‘I love your place. I had my birthday here. I had my daughter’s shower here.’”

More NJBIZ In the Lead 2025: Family-Owned Businesses honorees:

A-E  |  F-M  |  N-S  |  T-Z