One of my favorite ways to start the new year is to give some well-deserved recognition to those retail, restaurant and hospitality companies that make Fortune’s best companies to work for list. For a complete list go to – https://www.greatplacetowork.com/best-workplaces/100-best/2017.

In 2017, 17 retail, restaurant and hospitality companies made the list – with a significant showing from hospitality companies. Congratulations to the following:

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. (#2)         

Wegmans Food Markets is the top retailer coming in at #2. Wegmans’ operates over 122 grocery stores in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.  It ranks among the 100 largest private companies in the country.  It is a private company headquartered in Rochester, New York and founded in 1916.  In this survey, Fortune reported that 92% of employees rated Wegmans as a “great” workplace.  (www.wegmans.com)

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants  (#14)    

Kimpton operates 61 boutique hotels and 55 restaurants throughout the United States. It is a public company that is headquartered in San Francisco, California and was founded in 1981.  In this survey, Fortune reported that 93% of employees rated Kimpton as a “great” workplace.  (kimptonhotels.com)

Publix Super Markets Inc. (#21)

Publix has more than 1,1502 grocery store throughout 7 states, in addition to their own distribution, warehousing and manufacturing facilities for their own products. Publix is a private company with its headquarters in Lakeland, Florida and it was founded in 1930.  In this survey, Fortune reported that 88% of employees rated Publix as a “great” workplace.  (www.publix.com)

Hilton (#26)

Hilton is a global hospitality company with more than 5,000 properties in 103 countries and territories. The company has 14 separate brands.  Hilton is a public company headquartered in McLean, Virginia and it was founded in 1919.  In this survey, Fortune reported that 90% of employees rated Hilton as a “great” workplace.  (www.hilton.com)

Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) (#28)

REI is the country’s largest outdoor co-op and it has over 150 stores throughout the country. REI is headquartered in Kent, Washington and was founded in 1938.  In this survey, Fortune reported that 88% of employees rated REI as a “great” workplace.  (www.rei.com)

Nugget Market, Inc. (#30)

Nugget Market is a family grocery store that offers a unique experience to its shoppers. It has only 19 stores and is headquartered in Woodland, California.  The company is private and was founded in 1926.  In this survey, Fortune reported that 91% of employees rated Nugget Market as a “great” workplace.  (www.nuggetmarket.com)

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (#32)

Hyatt is a global hospitality company. Hyatt is a public company that was founded in 1957 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.  In this survey, Fortune reported that 93% of employees rated Hyatt as a “great” workplace.  (www.hyatt.com)

Marriott International, Inc. (#33)

Marriott is a global hospitality company with more than 6,400 properties in more than 125 countries. They operate and franchise hotels and license vacation ownership resorts under 30 different brands.  In this survey, Fortune reported that 86% of employees rated Marriott as a “great” workplace.  (www.marriott.com)

The Cheesecake Factory Inc. (#48)

The Cheesecake Factory is an upscale restaurant chain with over 200 locations throughout the United States. It is a public company that is headquartered in Calabasas Hills, California and was founded in 1978.  In this survey, Fortune reported that 89% of employees rated The Cheesecake Factory as a “great” workplace.  (www.thecheesecakefactory.com)

The Container Store (#49)

The Container Store provides customers with innovative, time and space saving solutions and prides itself on well-trained and well-paid salespeople. It is a public company that was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Coppell, Texas.  In this survey, Fortune reported that 81% of employees rated The Container Store as a “great” workplace.  (www.containerstore.com)

Whole Foods Market (#58)

Whole Foods Market is the world’s leading grocery store chain specializing in natural and organic foods. It has over 450 stores across the country and it America’s first national certified organic grocer.  Whole Foods Market is headquartered in Austin, Texas and was founded in 1980.  In this survey, Fortune reported that 82% of employees rated Whole Foods Market as a “great” workplace.  (www.wholefoodsmarket.com)

QuikTrip (#68)                  

QuikTrip operates over 580 gasoline/convenient stores in 10 states. It is a private company headquartered in Tulsa, OK and founded in 1958. In this survey, Fortune reported that 89% of employees rated QuikTrip as a “great” workplace. (www.quiktrip.com)

IKEA (#72)         

IKEA is headquartered in Webley, England and is one of the world’s top furniture retailers. The company is private and has approximately 330 stores in 40 countries.  It started in Sweden in 1943.  In this survey, Fortune reported that 79% of employees rated IKEA as a “great” workplace.  (www.ideal.co.uk)

Build-A-Bear Workshop (#76)

Build-A-Bear Workshop is a global retailer that specializes in an interactive make-your-own stuff animal retail-entertainment experience. The company is public, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri and was founded in 1997.  In this survey, Fortune reported that 91% of employees rated Build-A-Bear Workshop  as a “great” workplace.  (www.buildabear.com)

CarMax (#77)

CarMax is the country’s largest retailer of used vehicles with more than 175 stores across the country. CarMax is a public company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia and was founded in 1993.  In this survey, Fortune reported that 88% of employees rated CarMax as a “great” workplace. (www.carmax.com)

Sheetz, Inc. (#87)

Sheetz is a family owned and operated convenience retailer with more than 500 stores across six states. Sheetz is a private company that is headquartered in Altoona, Pennsylvania and was founded in 1952.  In this survey, Fortune reported that 88% of employees rated Sheetz as a “great” workplace.   (www.sheetz.com)

Nordstrom, Inc. (#94)

Nordstrom is a leading fashion specialty retailer offering clothing, shoes and accessories for men, women and children. Nordstrom has more than 350 stores throughout the United States and Canada.  It is a public company that is headquartered in Seattle, Washington and was founded in 1901.  In this survey, Fortune reported that 82% of employees rated Nordstrom as a “great” workplace.  (www.nordstrom.com)

For those of you who did not make the list, here are some of the perks and programs that made these companies rated so well by their employees:

• Flexible scheduling / work-life balance
• Empowerment to make decisions
• Training and employee development programs
• Internal promotions
• Wellness programs
• Scholarship programs
• Discounts/coupons/complimentary hotel stays
• Diversity
• Employee stock ownership / purchase plans
• Healthy and cost effective meals
• Meetings with the president
• Parental leave and new parent programs

Good luck making the list in 2018!