Darien-Based Company Makes Inc. 5000's 'America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies' List

DARIEN, CT — Darien-based, plant-based protein bar brand ALOHA has been ranked No. 946 on the 2026 Inc. 5000, marking the company's third consecutive year on the annual list of America's fastest-growing private companies.

The employee-owned company recorded 366 percent revenue growth from 2022 to 2025 and has continued to expand across digital and brick-and-mortar channels.

Over the past year, ALOHA has expanded to more than 22,000 retail doors nationwide while maintaining its online presence.

The brand is the top-selling bar at Thrive Market, a membership-based online grocery store, and the best-selling high-protein bar on Amazon, while its physical retail footprint has grown across grocery, mass, and, most recently, club channels, according to a news release.

In June, Walmart began moving ALOHA protein bars from the Nutrition/Pharmacy aisle into the main Grocery set in approximately 2,000 stores nationwide. ALOHA also entered the club channel through Sam's Club and Costco and continued its expansion at Target, adding three additional flavors nationwide.

The company has surpassed $200 million in revenue and has continued to scale with fewer than 30 full-time employees.

ALOHA remains the No. 1 growth contributor to the bar category in the U.S. Natural Channel and was named one of Bain & Company's Insurgent Brands in both 2025 and 2026.

In addition to its national ranking, ALOHA was ranked No. 42 in the Food & Beverage category and No. 5 in Connecticut.

"Three years on the Inc. 5000 is a nice marker, but what matters more is what’s behind the growth," said ALOHA CEO and Re-Founder Brad Charron in a news release.

Charron took over in late 2017 when the company was more than $60 million in the red, and he spent the next 18 months rebuilding the brand.

"Our sustained momentum tells us we’re reaching a broader consumer without changing the core of what got us here. We’ve stayed disciplined about making great-tasting food with the protein, fiber and premium ingredients people deserve and increasingly expect. And we still see a lot of room ahead of us. Growth will not slow down as we scale further."

ALOHA is employee-owned, a Certified B Corporation and Climate Label Certified.

The brand's USDA Organic, plant-based protein bars are made with real-food ingredients and contain 14 grams of protein, 6 to 10 grams of fiber and 3 to 5 grams of sugar, without sugar alcohols, stevia or artificial flavors.

This year's Inc. 5000 includes companies in AI, advanced manufacturing, health care, consumer products and professional services.

Among the 5,000 companies on the list, the median three-year revenue growth rate was 130 percent, and the companies collectively added more than 627,208 jobs to the U.S. economy over the past three years, a news release noted.

"Every company on the Inc. 5000 has a story of perseverance, smart decision making, and a refusal to sit still," Inc. Editor-in-Chief Mike Hofman said. "Their growth reflects more than strong financial performance–it reflects creativity, resilience, and the customer focus required to build companies that make a lasting impact. We congratulate all honorees on this significant achievement."

View the entire Inc. 5000 2026 list here.