Every so often, a number shows up that puts the work into perspective.
Project LeanNation has been named No. 932 on the 2026 Inc. 5000, Inc. magazine's annual ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The ranking is based on 370% revenue growth between 2022 and 2025 — the same three years we went from a Rochester-born concept to a franchise brand with locations across the country.
It's a list with a long memory. Microsoft, Meta, Oracle, Chobani, and Patagonia all appeared on it before they became household names. Making it means our growth held up against roughly 5,000 of the most aggressive independent businesses in the country, in a year where the median company on the list grew 130%.
What the number actually represents
Revenue growth is the metric Inc. measures, but it isn't the thing we're proudest of.
Between 2022 and 2025, we opened stores in new markets, brought on franchise partners who wanted to build something in their own communities, and served hundreds of thousands of meals to members working on real goals — weight loss, performance, energy, getting their bloodwork back in range. The growth is downstream of that. It's what happens when the model works and people tell their friends.
"Being named to the Inc. 5000 is an incredible milestone for Project LeanNation, but what makes it most meaningful is what that growth represents," said Tim Dougherty, Founder and CEO. He credited the team, the franchise partners, and the members who bought into the concept early — and pointed to the impact still ahead as the brand enters new communities.
The company we're keeping
This year's list spans AI, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, consumer products, and professional services. Collectively, the 5,000 honorees added more than 627,000 jobs to the U.S. economy over the past three years.
Inc.'s editor-in-chief, Mike Hofman, framed the class as companies defined by perseverance and a refusal to sit still — growth that reflects creativity and customer focus, not just financial performance.
That framing lands for us. Nutrition is a category full of shortcuts and short attention spans. Building something durable in it has meant staying stubborn about the fundamentals: real food, real coaching, and a store experience that treats members like people rather than transactions.
What's next
Inc. will celebrate the honorees at the 2026 Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala, October 14–16 in Dallas. The full list, along with searchable profiles by industry and location, is live at inc.com/inc5000.
For us, the next chapter looks a lot like the last one — more communities, more franchise partners, more members getting results. Founded in 2012 and franchising since 2022, Project LeanNation now has 31 locations open across 14 states, with more than 100 open and in development.
If this is the part where you see yourself in the story, there are two doors:
Become a member. Find your closest Project LeanNation and start with a free consultation. Find a location →
Become a franchise partner. We're looking for operators who value relationship-building, embrace coaching, and are genuinely invested in member success. Explore franchising →
To our team, our franchise partners, and every member who's walked through our doors — thank you. No. 932 belongs to all of you.
