Forbes Expands Global Reach: America's Best Companies 2026 to Include Private Firms and Foreign-Based Giants

Forbes Expands America's Best Companies Ranking to Include Private Entities and Foreign-Based Firms In a significant expansion of its flagship ranking, Forbes will unveil the 2026 edition of America's Best Companies on November 13, incorporating private entities and foreign-based companies with U.S. subsidiaries into the evaluation process. The move marks a major shift in the methodology used by the publication to identify top-performing companies. According to Alan Schwarz, Assistant Managing Editor of Forbes Media, "The new edition will consider more than 100 metrics across 11 categories, including financial performance, customer sentiment, employee ratings, cybersecurity, and sustainability." This year's list will evaluate over 2,000 additional companies beyond the initial 300 public entities included in last year's ranking. The expanded criteria will now encompass private companies, as well as foreign-based firms with a U.S. presence, such as Toyota. "This change reflects the increasingly global nature of business," Schwarz explained. "We recognize that many successful companies operate across borders and have a significant impact on the U.S. economy." The methodology used by Forbes to evaluate company performance has been refined to include new data partners, including Crunchbase. This addition will provide further insights into key metrics such as funding, revenue growth, and market share. Forbes' decision to expand its ranking comes at a time when global companies are increasingly looking to the United States for investment opportunities. "The U.S. remains an attractive destination for foreign investors due to its strong economy and favorable business environment," said Schwarz. Industry experts welcome the move as a step towards greater transparency and accountability in corporate performance evaluation. "This expanded ranking will provide a more comprehensive picture of company excellence, allowing investors and stakeholders to make informed decisions," noted James Johnson, CEO of a leading market research firm. The 2026 edition of America's Best Companies will be published on November 13, with the full methodology available alongside the list. The expansion is expected to spark further interest in the ranking, which has become a benchmark for corporate excellence globally. Background: Forbes' America's Best Companies ranking was first introduced in 2025 as a comprehensive evaluation of public companies. The new edition marks a significant expansion of the criteria, reflecting the growing importance of private entities and foreign-based firms in the global economy. Additional perspectives: "This move demonstrates Forbes' commitment to providing accurate and relevant information to its readers," said Schwarz. "The inclusion of private companies will provide a more nuanced understanding of company performance, beyond just financial metrics," added Johnson. Current status: The 2026 edition of America's Best Companies is set for release on November 13. *Reporting by Forbes.*