Eight U.S. retail, restaurant chains make “100 Most Influential Companies” list
A diverse group of retail and quick-serve restaurants brand are among 100 businesses and leaders honored as shaping the future.
The third annual “Time100 Influential Companies” list recognizes companies that are “making an extraordinary impact around the world.” To assemble the list, Time solicited nominations across sectors, and polled its global network of contributors and correspondents, as well as outside experts.
Each of the companies were evaluated on key factors, including impact, innovation, ambition, and success. The result is a diverse group of 100 businesses helping chart an essential path forward, according to Time.
Below are the U.S. retail and restaurant brands that made the list (with a recap of Time’s summary).
Leaders
Patagonia — “Investing in Earth”
In September, Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard and his family effectively gifted the outdoor-clothing retailer’s annual profits (an estimated $100 million) in perpetuity to defend the planet via a new nonprofit organization that now owns 98% of the company
Chipotle — “Social Media Maven”
During the past year, Chipotle captured the attention of Gen Z, becoming a top food brand on TikTok with 2.2 million followers, launching a Roblox experience, and generating its second highest sales day ever with a burrito giveaway on Twitter.
Innovators
Crocs — “Mass Appeal”
The slip-on footwear company has evolved into a mainstream fashion phenomenon, with a knack clever collaborations that included, —including in the past year Minecraft, General Mills and 7-Eleven.
The North Face — “Circular Clothing”
The company has upped its efforts to minimize waste. In October, the company announced 20 new products announced in October that incorporate elements such as single-fiber construction and trim that support easy disassembly and reuse. The retailer also updated its take-back program, inviting customers to drop off items at stores and offering a $10 credit to loyalty program members for doing so.
Taco Bell — “Feeding Fans”
The fast-food chain is a case study in effective marketing. When Doja Cat lamented the discontinuation of Mexican pizza, her tweet snowballed into a successful campaign to bring the product back in May 2022, driving $45 million in pizza sales and an 8% overall sales spike.
thredUp — “Slowing Fast Fashion”
The online consignment marketplace is hot and thredUP is capitalizing. This year, its resale-as-a-service program allowed brands like H&M and J.Crew to host online resale shops for their own goods. By December, it counted 42 brands as clients.
Titans
CVS Health — “Health Care Giant”
During the past year, the company spent close to $20 billion on acquisitions of Oak Street Health, a senior-focused primary-care network, and Signify Health, a home-health-care provider. Those deals, combined with its 2018 acquisition of health insurer Aetna and the ongoing expansion of the MinuteClinic walk-in-care brand, have made CVS a player in nearly every aspect of U.S. health care.
See the complete 2023 TIME100 Most Influential Companies list, videos and photos: time.com/100companies.