Best Employee-Owned Companies to Work For in 2026

If you're looking for a workplace where your contributions actually translate into ownership and wealth, employee-owned companies deserve a spot at the top of your list. Here are some of the best employee-owned employers in 2026 — companies where the people doing the work share in the success.

Publix Super Markets

Publix is the largest employee-owned company in the United States, with over 230,000 employee-owners and more than 1,400 stores across the Southeast. Every eligible associate receives Publix stock at no cost through the company's ESOP. The company's stock price has grown consistently for decades, and long-tenured employees routinely retire with six-figure ESOP balances. If you're in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, the Carolinas, or Virginia, Publix is one of the best employers around.

WinCo Foods

WinCo is a discount grocery chain with over 130 stores across the western U.S. — and it's 100% employee-owned. WinCo's ESOP is legendary: the company doesn't take any money from employees' paychecks to fund it. Long-time cashiers and stock clerks have retired as millionaires. That's not an exaggeration — it's been well documented.

Burns & McDonnell

This Kansas City-based engineering, construction, and architecture firm has over 10,000 employee-owners. Burns & McDonnell consistently ranks among the best places to work in engineering, and their ESOP is a major reason why. Employees receive stock allocations annually, and the firm's steady growth means those shares appreciate reliably.

Houchens Industries

Based in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Houchens is a diversified holding company that's 100% employee-owned. They operate grocery stores, convenience stores, insurance companies, and more. With over 5,000 employee-owners, Houchens proves the ESOP model works across multiple industries under one umbrella.

Recology

San Francisco's waste collection and recycling company is employee-owned and has built a reputation as one of the most innovative waste management firms in the country. Recology's ownership culture extends to environmental stewardship — they've set ambitious zero-waste goals and consistently hit recycling rates that other cities envy.

King Arthur Baking Company

America's oldest flour company became 100% employee-owned in 2004. King Arthur is proof that employee ownership and beloved consumer brands go hand in hand. Their employee-owners are passionate about baking, and it shows in every product and customer interaction.

How to Find These Opportunities

These are just a handful of the thousands of employee-owned companies operating today. Browse open positions at employee-owned companies on Commonwealth to find roles that match your skills and location. You can also explore our full company directory to discover employee-owned businesses in your industry.