Homewood Business Makes Illinois Fortune 5000 List

Written by Dennis Robaugh and Ryan Fitzpatrick

Franchise Dynamics of Homewood was recently rated in the top 40 percent in the Inc. 5000 List of Illinois' Fastest Growing Companies.

The franchise sales outsourcing company ranked no. 1902 on the list (and no. 98 in the Chicago Metro Area). They showed a 199 percent increase in growth over the past three years. From 2009 to 2012, Franchise Dynamics increased revenue from $1.2 million to $3.6 million.

In the past three years, Franchise Dynamics also increased their staff by 17 employees, up to a total of 28. 

Writes Franchise Dynamics:

"Franchise Dynamics’ growth has been possible because of the work we’ve successfully be able to do with our franchise clients to help grow their brands. Thank you to all of our partners and clients and team members over the past several years who have contributed to the growth we celebrate today."

The Inc. 5000 list of 2013's fastest growing companies includes 261 Illinois businesses employing more than 93,000 people. An eclectic array of industries made the list, from a media company for photographer moms and a suburban restaurant and winery chain to traditional insurance companies and construction firms.

One might think that Chicago-based firms would dominate the list — and 91 of the businesses call the city of broad shoulders home — but more than half are in the suburbs, with 19 in towns far downstate or well outside the metro area. The suburb with the most firms on the Inc. 5000 list is Schaumburg, with 13, followed by Oak Brook with 10 and Naperville with eight.

In the last three years, 22 of the companies experienced a growth rate over 1,000 percent.

Writes Inc. magazine:

"Management author Hermann Simon calls companies like these hidden champions, because they deliver outstanding performance while operating "in the 'hinterland' of the value chain, supplying machinery, components, or processes that are no longer discernible in the final product or service." As such, they are the sinews of our economic physiology. But jobs are also created by the thousands of organizations that constitute the Inc. 5000's customers. ...

The National Center for the Middle Market describes companies such as those on the Inc. 5000 as "model links" in corporate supply chains. ... These businesses make and keep American companies competitive: Within their niches, they are as innovative and service oriented as the most beloved household names. But rather than strategize to build brands, they earn reputations simply by virtue of how well they do what they do. They grow reference by reference until every customer in their markets knows whom to call."

Five additional south suburban companies made the list this year.

• No. 792: Carousel Checks in Bridgeview, with 71 employees and $14 million in revenue, sells inexpensive parchment checks offering more than 3,000 different designs and types.