20 Private GA Companies Named On 2026 America's Best List

Few prominent companies in Georgia are named among some of the best in America. See the list.

By Amanda Lumpkin, Patch Staff

Jul 10, 2026 4:34 pm EDT

Cox Enterprises is the fifth-best privately-owned company in America in 2026, according to a ranking. (Courtesy of Cox Enterprises)

Twenty private companies have been deemed among the best in America this year, according to Time Magazine's new ranking released Wednesday.

The list of 500 privately-owned businesses includes some prominent companies in Georgia, such as Cox Enterprises. The media giant is the fifth-best, according to Time.

Aside from journalism, Cox also operates companies in the sectors of automotive, broadband, greenhouse agriculture and others.

To determine its ranking, Time partnered with data-gathering platform Statista to conduct research and evaluate a number of privately-owned companies. The businesses nor their parents could be publicly traded.

Nonprofits, hospitals and universities were excluded.

Employee satisfaction and community impact were weighted by a score of up to 100 when deciding which companies to choose for the final list, according to Time.

Here's how Georgia fared:

Cox Enterprises, No. 5, conglomerate, 93.78
1st Franklin Financial. No. 60, banking and financial services, 88.47
Chick-fil-A, No. 125, hospitality, travel and leisure, 86.03
Innova Solutions, No. 139, professional services, 85.59
Ambassador Personnel, No. 193, business services and supplies, 83.76
C2 Education, No. 205, insurance, healthcare and social services, 83.28
Rheem Manufacturing, No. 213, engineering, manufacturing and medical technology, 82.91
Insight Global, No, 215, business services and supplies, 82.89
Alvaria,, No. 230, technology, media and services, 82.27
Pratt Industries, No. 240, engineering, manufacturing and medical technology, 82.04
BCD Travel, No. 245, business services and supplies, 81.82
Club Car, No. 250, automotive industry and suppliers, 81.63
Manheim, No. 252, retail, wholesale and consumer goods, 81.56
Aaron's, No. 305, retail, wholesale and consumer goods, 79.91
Southwire, No. 375, engineering, manufacturing and medical technology, 76.50
Infor, No. 379, technology, media and services, 76.33
Alston & Bird, No. 388, professional services, 76.08
Delta Community, No. 406, banking and financial services, 75.59
Capstone Logistics, No. 417, transportation, logistics and aviation, 75.23
Waffle House, No. 443, hospitality, travel and leisure, 73.88

>> See the full list of America's Best Private Companies of 2026