New Jersey’s bustling neighborhoods, affluent communities, and busy commuter corridors are catching the attention of national restaurant franchises eager to expand their presence in the Garden State. Despite historically ranking among the lowest states for chain restaurant density, New Jersey’s high median household income, dense population, and diverse culinary tastes make it an attractive growth market.
Several major brands have already set their sights on the state. Checkers & Rally’s is planning to open at least 24 new locations over the next three years, while fast-casual favorite Teriyaki Madness sees potential for more than 30 locations statewide. Other recent entrants include Raising Cane’s, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, 7 Brew Coffee, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Duck Donuts, and Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, with additional franchises like Perkins Griddle & Go and Hot Head Burritos unveiling future development plans.
New Jersey: Underserved Yet Prime for Growth
Despite its population density and high income, New Jersey remains surprisingly underserved in fast-food and fast-casual dining, with roughly only 2 chain locations per 10,000 residents. Strict zoning laws, costly liquor licenses, real estate challenges, and local resistance to chain establishments have historically slowed expansion. Yet, these obstacles haven’t deterred ambitious brands. With a large base of suburban and urban consumers, strong traffic flows, and proximity to major cities like New York and Philadelphia, New Jersey presents an ideal market for growth-focused franchises.
Checkers & Rally’s: Driving Expansion with Innovation
The Checkers & Rally’s brand, known for flavored burgers, seasoned fries, and indulgent combo meals, is leveraging New Jersey’s potential. Over the next three years, the brand intends to grow from 11 existing locations to at least two dozen, with the ultimate goal of 40–45 units. Each new restaurant generates around 25 jobs, spanning crew roles to management positions, contributing significantly to local employment.
Post-COVID dining trends have also reshaped Checkers & Rally’s expansion strategy. With a focus on drive-thru service, delivery, and compact restaurant formats, the chain can adapt to smaller parcels of land—a crucial advantage in a state where space is at a premium. The brand is also embracing technology with AI-powered voice ordering, automatic language detection, and revamped apps, ensuring fast, accurate service for tech-savvy customers.
Limited-time menu items, like fried strawberry cheesecake bites and caffeinated slushies, showcase Checkers & Rally’s willingness to experiment while maintaining its core menu, keeping diners engaged and excited.
Teriyaki Madness: Fresh, Fast, and Customizable
Meanwhile, Teriyaki Madness is tapping into New Jersey’s growing appetite for healthier fast-casual options. Specializing in made-to-order teriyaki bowls with grilled proteins, fresh vegetables, rice, noodles, and bold sauces, the brand emphasizes flavorful, customizable meals that are satisfying without being heavy. Since opening its first Garden State location in 2019, TMAD has grown to five shops and plans to add five to ten more in the coming years.
The brand strategically targets locations near residential neighborhoods, business hubs, and competitor chains like Chipotle and Cava, ensuring strong customer traffic and market visibility. Its compact footprint, designed for takeout, delivery, and app-based orders, aligns with modern dining habits and post-pandemic trends, including the innovative Mad Dash curbside pickup system.
What This Means for New Jersey Diners
For Garden State residents, the surge in franchise expansion means more convenient dining options, diverse menus, and quick service without compromising quality. As brands like Checkers & Rally’s and Teriyaki Madness continue to grow, New Jersey’s food scene is becoming increasingly competitive and dynamic, giving local consumers a mix of indulgent comfort food and healthy fast-casual choices.
The expansion also signals opportunities for local employment, entrepreneurial franchisees, and enhanced dining access across the state’s suburbs and urban centers. With growing consumer demand and a strategic focus on post-COVID dining habits, New Jersey is poised to become a major hub for national and emerging restaurant brands in the coming years.
New restaurant chains expanding in New Jersey
Here’s a list of restaurant brands that have recently opened or are set to open in New Jersey in the near future:
Recently opened or expanded
- Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers: This popular chain is expanding its presence in the state with new locations, including one recently opened in Marlton.
- Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: Another expanding chain offering burgers, fries, and frozen custard.
- 7 Brew Coffee: This growing coffee chain has recently started opening locations in New Jersey.
- Dave’s Hot Chicken: Known for its Nashville-style hot chicken, this chain is also making its way into the New Jersey market.
- Duck Donuts: A popular destination for custom-made donuts, Duck Donuts has opened new locations in the state.
- Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh: This healthy, fast-casual option is another newcomer to the New Jersey food scene.
- Crab Du Jour: This Cajun-inspired seafood boil chain is expanding rapidly with multiple locations across New Jersey, including Cherry Hill and Vineland.
- Bojangles: This Southern fried chicken and biscuit chain has recently opened its first New Jersey location in Piscataway and has plans for further expansion in the state.
- Roy Rogers: This classic fast-food chain is experiencing a comeback, opening a new location in Cherry Hill and with plans for more.
- Chip City Cookies: A dessert favorite, this cookie chain recently opened a location in Marlton.
- Ensora: A new restaurant in Cherry Hill.
- Drift Seafood: A new seafood spot recently opened in Ventnor.
- Gouldsburger’s: A new burger joint on the scene.
Coming soon
- Perkins Griddle & Go: This fast-casual concept from Perkins plans to open 46 locations across Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties over the next 10 years, starting with a flagship location in Fort Monmouth by October 2025.
- Hot Head Burritos: This chain has also announced plans to expand into the New Jersey region.
- Zaxby’s: Another Southern fast-casual chicken chain, Zaxby’s is slated to open its first New Jersey locations, starting with two in South Jersey by summer 2025.
- The Baked Bear, Westfield: This ice cream cookie sandwich shop is adding a Westfield location.
- Broadway Hot & Honey Chicken, Westfield: Bringing Nashville-style hot chicken to Union County.
- Casa Ragazzi, New Brunswick: A new Italian restaurant is expected to open in February 2025.
- D’Serve, Flemington: Offering doughnuts and other treats.
- Fork, Rahway: A New American restaurant with a sleek design and diverse menu.
- Ixim Taco, Hackensack: Focused on traditional Mexican cuisine with a contemporary twist.
- Apollo Bagels, Hoboken: Adding to the bagel scene with their tightly executed bagels, schmears, and lox.
- Cheech’s Bagels, Jersey City: Another new bagel spot set to open in the Hamilton Park neighborhood.
- Maxwell Alley, Jersey City: A contemporary American restaurant with a seasonal menu.
- Lazy Dog Restaurant, Lawrenceville & Moorestown: This dog-friendly chain known for its laid-back vibes will open its first two New Jersey locations this fall.
- Coastal Canteen, Manasquan and Monroe: A new concept from the Jersey Shore Restaurant Group featuring diverse coastal flavors.
- MM by Morimoto, Montclair: Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto is opening his first New Jersey restaurant.
- U Sushi, Mount Laurel: Expanding with a second location in South Jersey.
- Tatte Bakery, Ridgewood: This Boston and DC favorite is making its way to New Jersey.
- Harpoon Willy’s, Robbinsville: Opening a second location in Robbinsville Town Center.
- Serafina, Tenafly: Bringing New York City Italian flavors to the Garden State.
Explore more about New Jersey’s dynamic dining scene and restaurant openings at Explore New Jersey Restaurants.
