congregations growing like fast-food franchises

From the Association of Religious Data Archives:

Diversity rising: Census shows Mormons, nondenominational churches, Muslims spreading out across U.S.
http://blogs.thearda.com/trend/featured/diversity-rising-census-shows-mormons-nondenominational-churches-muslims-spreading-out-across-u-s/


U.S. Congregational Membership: Reports
Explore congregational membership in every county, state and urban area in the United States. Based on the Religious Congregations and Membership Study this is the most complete census available on religious congregations and their members.
http://www.thearda.com/rcms2010/index.asp

And then there is this, somehow sad-making, in the Diversity Rising story:

.... In secular terms, Hartford Seminary sociologist Scott Thumma compares the nationwide growth of groups such as the Mormon Church and nondenominational congregations to successful fast-food franchises starting out locally, finding they meet a need and then expanding regionally and nationally until you can find one at almost every rest stop.

Nondenominational churches, in particular, have become “an alternative to denominational religiosity in every market,” Thumma said.