Bola Abiola, 47, a South Jersey physical therapist from Sicklerville, always dreamed of opening her own restaurant.

After much research, she decided a fast-casual franchise concept would be the best way to break into the restaurant business. She looked into a few options but ultimately decided on Teriyaki Madness, a concept that, up until now, had not broken into the New Jersey market and offered relatively low startup costs.

Teriyaki Madness was ranked on Entrepreneur’s Top Food Franchises and FastCasual’s Movers and Shakers in 2019, and Inc. 5000 list for three straight years. It seemed like a concept that could ensure her success as a first-time franchise business owner.

“The company has big plans for East Coast expansion in the next couple of years,” Marco Levesque, Franchise Consultant at Teriyaki Madness, a Denver-based company, told Philly Grub upon a recent visit.

Teriyaki Madness offers delicious, made-to-order, healthy (or not) bowls, apps and sides, prepared with fresh, all-natural ingredients served quickly and at a reasonable price. There are familiar Asian dishes on the menu – teriyaki chicken and orange chicken as well as chicken katsu, a popular Japanese dish, among others.

Guests can enjoy their Seattle-style teriyaki bowls in the shop with limited seating, or order through the mobile app for delivery or curbside pickup. The Marlton location is offering pickup and delivery for now but will open the dining room soon.

“This food appeals to everybody,” Abiola told Philly Grub. “Everything is prepared to order using fresh ingredients.”

She dreams of opening other franchise locations in South Jersey if this concept takes off in Marlton. Good luck, Bola!

Teriyaki Madness is located at 101 South Route 73 in the Marlton Crossing Shopping Center. Hours are 11:00-9:00 daily. (856) 446-6239.