In a year marked by budget cuts and cautious hiring, how do some employers still earn top marks from their people? Each year, Glassdoor surfaces the employers getting workplace culture right according to the only opinions that matter: their employees’. The Best Places to Work 2026 list — our 18th annual Employees’ Choice Awards — reveals a resilient group of organizations maintaining high levels of trust and satisfaction, even as the economic landscape changes around them.
The 2026 list saw notable shifts, including New York City rising as a hub of satisfaction and industries like manufacturing and retail gaining ground. But the core ingredients of a "best" workplace haven’t changed: culture, leadership, and growth opportunities that feel real, not aspirational.
So, how do the best of the best actually get things done? Let’s take a closer look at the top three companies on the U.S. Large Companies list to see what sets them apart, and what other companies can learn from their approach.
Taking the #1 spot this year is the Indianapolis-based, family-owned Crew Carwash. After ranking #2 in 2025, Crew Carwash has climbed to the peak, validating that a "people-first" approach isn’t just good rhetoric — it’s a winning long-term strategy.
For over 75 years, this company has been known for its “Clean, Fast, and Friendly” service, but employees say the internal culture is where the brand truly shines. In Glassdoor reviews, they consistently highlight the company’s commitment to internal promotion and hands-on leadership development. One employee noted they have, “Full confidence in any employee in management because of how thorough they are in training/coaching and promoting.” Another praised how Crew Carwash “encourages internal mobility, celebrates wins, and invests in developing people.”
Takeaway: Crew Carwash demonstrates that career pathing doesn't require elaborate competency frameworks or expensive platforms. It requires manager investment in coaching and transparent criteria for advancement.
