Wegmans, Publix and Whole Foods Make Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For" List

Three grocery stores were named on Fortune magazine's annual "100 Best Companies to Work For" list. Wegmans, Publix and Whole Foods ranked No. 4, No. 67 and No. 75, respectively. All three companies have appeared on the list for 19 consecutive years, and each company has made the list since its inception in 1998. 

Fortune partners annually with Great Place to Work to conduct the most extensive employee survey in corporate America to identify the 100 Best Companies to Work For. Creators of the methodology behind the list, Great Place to Work, have found that employees believe they work for great organizations when they consistently trust the people they work for, have pride in what they do and enjoy the people they work with.

“Now more than ever, it is important for companies to prove they are great workplaces,” says Michael Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work. “Top talent expects as much as they seek new opportunities, and customers are demanding it as well as they decide where to spend their dollars. The 100 best workplaces are at the top of the heap in demonstrating they have a high-trust, high-performing culture.”

Two-thirds of a company’s score is based on a survey, which is sent to a random sample of employees. The survey asks questions related to their attitudes about the management's credibility, job satisfaction and camaraderie. The remaining third is based on a company’s responses to the Culture Audit questionnaire, which asks detailed questions about pay and benefits programs, and open-ended questions about hiring, communication and diversity.

Wegmans—the family-owned supermarket chain, now marking its 100th anniversary—was the highest ranked retailer on the list. “When our people feel cared about and respected, they turn around and make our customers feel that way too," says Danny Wegman, CEO. "A big thank you goes to our customers and employees, because together they make Wegmans a happy place to be.”

Publix moved up in the rankings this year at No. 67 on this year’s list—up from No. 81 last year. 

“I’ve been privileged to lead what could quite possibly be the best company in the world,” says Ed Crenshaw, Publix CEO. “I’m proud of our commitment to our people, culture and communities. We are humbled to be recognized by Fortune for 19 consecutive years as a great place to work. The secret to our success is our associates—company owners themselves —who’ve been making Publix a great place to work for more than 85 years.”

Fortune highlighted Whole Foods Market’s passion for its mission and the many employees whose personal beliefs align with this mission as a point of distinction. The magazine also mentioned the aim for egalitarian culture for the company, as well as the unique gain-sharing plan and executive salary caps. Whole Foods Market ranked ninth overall among retailers and tenth among other companies headquartered in Texas.

“This is a direct tribute to the hard-working, passionate Whole Foods Market team members who make our stores, facilities and support offices great places to work,” says Mark Ehrnstein, global vice president of team member services at Whole Foods Market. “We’re so grateful for the strong commitment to our culture and dedication to our core values that allow our business to grow and evolve in a way that truly propels our company forward.”