When starting a business with family, it’s pretty much a roll of the dice as to whether it will work out. Even with a great product, storefront, or sales pitch, family nonsense can sometimes get in the way of what should be a home run opportunity. 

The good news is that when things go right, and they can go right, the sky is the limit on how much money a family can make together. Successful family-owned companies like Cargill, Koch, and Mars have proven this time and time again. 

In this instance, it’s important to note that this list only encompasses privately owned family businesses, not publicly traded ones like Ford, Walmart, or Berkshire Hathaway. 

15. JM Family Enterprises

Located in Deerfield Beach, Florida, JM Family Enterprises is a primarily automotive company founded by Jim Moran in 1968. Still owned by the Moran family, it is the largest distributor of Toyota vehicles in the Southeastern United States. The company also has a financing arm that finances almost 50% of the vehicles sold by the 177 dealers it services. 

14. Gordon Food Services

Headquartered in Wyoming, Michigan, Gordon Food Services is a food service distributor serving the country’s Midwest, Southwest, Southeast, and Northeast regions. As of 2025, it is the largest family-managed food service distributor in the country, with over $21 billion in revenue and 22,000 employees. 

13. Meijer

Operating primarily in the Midwest United States, Meijer is an American retailer credited with the idea of a “supercenter” retail location. Founded by Hendrik Meijer in 1934, family members still sit on the board of the 23rd-largest retailer in the US by revenue. Meijer currently operates 259 stores as well as 208 gas stations. 

12. Cox Enterprises

An American conglomerate headquartered in Atlanta, the Cox family still retains ownership rights of a company that drives over $23.1 billion in revenue. Major brands owned by the company include AutoTrader, Kelley Blue Book, Cox Communications, Cox Automotive, and Cox Media Group, which are currently run by the grandson and great-grandson of the founder, James M. Cox. 

11. Love’s Travel Stops 

One of the largest truck stop brands in the country, Love’s Travel Stops has 650 locations operating in 42 states. Love’s Travel Stops are located along major highways, and their country stores are fueling stations with convenience stores attached. After being founded in 1964, the Love family still retains ownership of the company, which has deals with Dunkin’ Donuts, McDonald’s, Subway, Wendy’s, and more. 

10. Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Driving over $26 billion in revenue with more than 24,000 employees, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is the largest business in the United States. The company is currently operating in 44 states after being founded in 1968. Descendants of the three founders still own the business, which is headquartered in Miramar, Florida. 

9. Fidelity Investments

Arguably one of the best-known names in finance, Fidelity Investments is an American multinational financial services company with approximately $5.8 trillion in assets under management. Founded in 1946, the company has revenues over $32 billion, and its current ownership is 49% for the Johnson family and 51% for current and former employees.  

8. C&S Wholesale Grocers

A national wholesale grocery supply company based out of New Hampshire, C&S owns the Piggly Wiggly grocery brand, Grand Union, and several private labels, giving it more than 7,500 independent supermarkets driving over $34 billion in revenue with 17,000 employees. 

7. Enterprise Holdings (Mobility)

Founded in 1957 by Jack C. Taylor, Enterprise Holdings (aka Enterprise Mobility) is a privately held company headquartered in Clayton, Missouri. The parent company of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental, and Alamo Rentals, Enterprise holds a 40% market share for car rentals with more than 2.5 million vehicles on the road and the Taylor family still sits at the head of the board and CEO roles. 

6. Reyes Holdings

Driving $40 billion in revenue and 36,000 employees, Reyes Holdings is an American food and beverage distributor and bottler. Operating in more than 18 countries across North, Central, and South America, Reyes Holdings is McDonald’s largest global distributor for Coca-Cola. The company regularly distributes over 272 million cases of beer to 100,000 customers every year. 

5. H-E-B Grocery Company

A privately held supermarket chain based in San Antonio, Texas, H-E-B Grocery Company employs more than 145,000 people across its 435 stores. With over $46 billion in revenue, H-E-B is a staple name across any “best grocery” store in America after being founded in 1905. 

4. Mars Inc. 

The chocolate and candy giant Mars Inc. is entirely owned by the Mars family, who are some of the wealthiest people in the world. Annual revenues exceeded $50 billion in 2024, and more than 150,000 employees call Mars Inc. home with favorites like M&Ms, Milky Way, Doublemint, and Snickers. 

3. Publix Super Markets

With over 1,397 locations in the United States and revenues over $60 billion in 2024, Publix Super Markets employs over 255,000 people as of March 2025. The company was founded by George W. Jenkins in 1930 and is owned by the Jenkins family and employees. The grocery has become famous for its tagline, “Where Shopping Is a Pleasure.” 

2. Koch, Inc. 

Founded in 1940, Koch, Inc., is an American multinational conglomerate based in Wichita, Kansas. The second-largest family-owned business operates in various industries, including manufacturing, chemicals, energy, minerals, fertilizer, cloud computing, and investments. It also owns multiple companies with over 120,000 employees in 60 countries.  

1. Cargill, Inc. 

The largest privately-held company in the United States, Cargill Inc. (often known as Cargill MacMillan) was founded in 1865. Today, the company has over $165 billion in revenues, and the Cargill family still holds 88% of the internal voting shares. More than 160,000 employees call Cargill home across agriculture, steel, transport, and financial services.  

 

 

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