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Of the businesses included in Franchise Times’ new ranking of the 40 smartest-growing ventures in the U.S., several have their base right here in New Jersey.

To determine its annual “Fast & Serious” list of growing franchise systems with staying power, the publication evaluated both expansion and long-term stability.

Now in its 11th year, the recognition aims to be “an antidote to multiple other rankings that include too many one-year wonders,” according to Franchise Times.

For the compilation, editors used a proprietary 10-point formula that analyzes growth metrics, like systemwide sales, unit count and overall revenue, over a three-year period.

The database used for the project was Franchise Times’ Top 400, an annual count of the largest franchise systems by revenue. Then, franchises with systemwide sales above $40 million were selected for analysis, the publication said.

They also needed to “meet strict criteria for consistent growth and operational success,” Franchise Times added.

New Jersey companies on the “2025 Fast & Serious” list:

• No. 7: Playa Bowls, Belmar – 106.90% sales growth, 88.40% unit growth
• No. 20: Bubbakoo’s Burritos, Point Pleasant – 90% sales growth, 84.10% unit growth
• No. 27: Jersey Mike’s Subs, Manasquan – 51.70% sales growth, 27.80% unit growth 
• No. 37: Lightbridge Academy, Iselin – 75.60% sales growth, 25.80% unit growth 

There are also several other non-New Jersey based ventures on the list that have a growing presence across the Garden State, such as Crumbl, StretchLab, Wingstop, Club Pilates, YogaSix, British Swim School, Big Blue Swim School, Stretch Zone, Goldfish Swim School, Dogtopia, Tropical Smoothie Café, Crunch Fitness, Valvoline Instant Oil Change and The Joint Chiropractic.

Franchise Times’ smartest-growing franchise brands

Here are the top 10 ventures, according to the publication:

• No. 1: Superior Fence & Rail, Jacksonville, Fla. – 215.70% sales growth, 572.20% unit growth
• No. 2: StretchLab, Irvine, Calif. – 300% sales growth, 209.30% unit growth
• No. 3: Scooter’s Coffee, Omaha, Neb. – 114.50% sales growth, 87.50% unit growth
• No. 4: Strickland Oil Change, Winston-Salem, N.C. – 337.60% sales growth, 140.40% unit growth
• No. 5: Club Pilates, Irvine, Calif., – 104.2% sales growth, 46.70% unit growth
• No. 6: Tommy’s Express, Holland, Mich. – 107.20% sales growth, 108.30% unit growth
• No. 7: Playa Bowls, Belmar – 106.90% sales growth, 88.40% unit growth
• No. 8: Crumbl, Logan, UT – 117.1% sales growth, 199.10% unit growth
• No. 9: Ellie Mental Health, Mendota Heights, Minn. – 243.70% sales growth, 157.50% unit growth
• No. 10: Brothers Gutters, Scottsdale, Az. – 232.90% sales growth, 177.50% unit growth

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