7 San Antonio brands make Time's best private companies list

Seven San Antonio brands appear in Time magazine’s first-ever ranking of the best privately owned companies in the U.S. The list covers a broad range of industries, from eyewear to AI-based healthcare.

Time teamed up with data provider Statista to launch the inaugural ranking of the country’s 500 best private companies. Rankings are based on employee satisfaction surveys along with a company’s impact on society, knowledge, health, and the environment.

At No. 75, the highest-ranked Alamo City brand on the list is H-E-B. No surprises there. The homegrown chain is a mainstay of national lists scoring reputable firms and biggest family businesses. In January, global consumer research firm Dunnhumby named it the best U.S. grocery store for the fourth year in a row.

Only one other San Antonio company cracked the top 100, though it doesn’t have as much name recognition. Engineering, construction, and maintenance firm Zachry Group came in at No. 92.

Other San Antonio companies on the list are:

• No. 141 Visionworks, the chain of eyewear stores.No. 165 Taco Cabana, the chain of Tex-Mex fast-food restaurants.
• No. 184 Carenet Health, a telehealth giant.
• No. 402 CPS Energy, the largest municipally owned electric and natural gas utility in the United States.
• No. 418 Whataburger, the hamburger chain owned by a Chicago private equity firm.

While not based in San Antonio, these businesses on the list should be familiar to Texans:

• No. 127 Half Price Books, the Dallas-based bookstore chain.
• No. 160 The Container Store, based in Coppell. Bed Bath & Beyond recently acquired The Container Store, which sells home organization products, for about $150 million.
• No. 377 Mary Kay, an Addison-based seller of cosmetics, skin care products, and body care products.
• No. 198 Buc-ee’s, the Lake Jackson-based operator of mega-convenience stores.
• No. 285 Blue Bell Creameries, the Brenham-based ice cream company.
• No. 447 Joe’s Crab Shack, the Houston-based seafood restaurant chain.
• No. 491 Tailored Brands, the Houston-based owner of the Men’s Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank and K&G Fashion Superstore menswear chains.