In Texas, there are a few companies that people in the Lone Star State feel ride-or-die about. And apparently, that’s for good reason, as some Texas favorites made Time Magazine’s list of 2026’s best private companies in America.
The ranking, Time’s first, named 500 privately-owned companies on employee satisfaction surveys, positive net impact on society, global knowledge and health and the environment. The highest-ranked company on the list was Patagonia, the popular California-based outdoor apparel brand, with an overall score of 96.84.
As for Texas, the state’s most favored company wasn’t Buc-ee’s or H-E-B. It’s telecommunications company Purple Communications, coming in at No. 56 with a score of 88.72. Based in Austin, Purple Communications offers video services, interpreting, real-time translation and other services making communication more accessible for the deaf and hard of hearing. Here’s how the others fared.
Down the list is where the more recognizable brands can be found. Eyemart Express, headquartered near Dallas, came in at No. 69, topping its fellow Texas competitor, Visionworks (No. 141) Not far behind was H-E-B — recently named the nation’s best grocer — in the 75th spot. H-E-B scored an 88.02, placing it above out-of-state companies like Harbor Freight Tools, Golden Corral (yes, the buffet chain), Books-A-Million and Toys ‘R’ Us.
Unsurprisingly, a few of Texas’ best companies are in the Tex-Mex world, such as Uncle Julio’s, which notched the No. 162 spot. And despite closing multiple locations across San Antonio, Taco Cabana made the list at No. 165. That just goes to show how much the state loves our food (and perhaps a drive-thru margarita). Meanwhile, Half Price Books, with its massive flagship location in Dallas, came in at No. 127.
Just barely scratching the top half of the list, Buc-ee’s came in at No. 198. The iconic gas station known for its brisket, beef jerky, home goods, glistening bathrooms and more has been named the nation’s best convenience store on multiple occasions. So even though one late-night host calls the beaver overrated, it seems that the numbers disagree.
Further down the list, some other familiar brands appear, like The Container Store, Jason’s Deli, Blue Bell Creameries, Mary Kay, Joe’s Crab Shack and others. But one beloved Texas brand that fell near the bottom may come as a surprise. Months after being dubbed the No. 1 fast food chain in Texas, Whataburger clocked No. 418 on Time’s list with a score of 75.21. Don’t get us wrong, the rankings still put Whata in the conversation for the best fast food burger. But it’s been slipping in those rankings for years, and maybe that counts for something here.
Regardless, the initials TX were a common sight on this ranking. Other Texas-based companies to crack the top 500 are Zachry Group, Reliant Rehabilitation, Elara Caring, Vizient, Carenet Health, CLEAResult, Sammons Enterprises, and Interstate Batteries. The list also named Gainwell Technologies, HKS Architects, Aegis Therapies, Aimbridge Hospitality, First National Bank Texas, Woodforest National Bank, BlueSprig, Keller Williams Realty, Etech Global Services, RealPage, SolarWinds, TRT Holdings, Epicor, Brookshire’s, 2020 Companies, Exeter Finance, Likewize, Tailored Brands and National Veterinary Associates.