Almost half the 2017 100 Best Companies to Work For Have Broad-Based Employee Ownership

Of the 73 corporate winners of Fortune's 2017 100 Best Companies to Work For award, 36 had broad-based employee ownership plans (27 of the winners were nonprofits, partnerships, or other organizations that do not have stock). That is slightly down from prior years, when the percentage was just over 50%.

Of the plans, five were ESOPs: W.L.Gore (12), Burns & McDonald (16), Publix (67), QuikTrip (76), and Sheetz (97). Gore, Burns & McDonald, and Publix are majority employee-owned. Seventeen companies, almost all in technology, have broad-based equity grants, and most of them also have employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs). The remaining winners have some form of broad-based stock purchase plan. Baird and PCL are both majority employee-owned through these plans by a majority of their employees.

Companies have to apply to be on the list, and it is traditionally overweighted toward technology and healthcare providers.