Poll ranks reputation of Chicago’s major companies
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A couple of Chicago's biggest companies boosted their reputations since last year, per an annual Axios/Harris poll that ranks the reputations of 100 of the most visible brands in the U.S. while others struggled because of the economic fragility.
Why it matters: Nearly two-thirds of the companies included in the poll saw their reputation scores decline, but all but two of Chicago's most well-known brands improved their rankings.
- The poll results suggested that McDonald's and Walgreens — the two that fell — saw scores drop because inflation, labor unrest, and the war in Gaza shifted consumers' opinions.
The big picture: The Axios Harris Poll 100 determines companies' reputations based on survey responses from thousands of people, asking about attributes like trust, ethics, trajectory, and vision.
Zoom in: The Chicago-based companies on the list — Aldi, Allstate, Discover, Kraft Heinz, McDonald's, and Walgreens — rank from very good to fair.
What they found: Aldi (No. 14), Kraft Heinz (No. 19) and Discover (No. 44) placed in the "very good" reputation category.
- Walgreens and Allstate are considered "good," ranked at 51 and 72, respectively.
- McDonald's comes in last of Chicago companies at 82 in the "fair" category.
- Aldi made the largest leap, up last year from 33, perhaps driven by increased visibility as the fastest-growing chain grocery store in the country.
- Kraft Heinz tries to stay ahead of the curve with innovations like customized ketchup, and the brand was bumped up to the top 20 for vision.
Context: Inflation likely impacted McDonald's score and knocked it down 10 spots from last year's poll, but the fast food giant is responding to higher prices with a $5 meal beginning next month.
- McDonald's also faced boycotts last year after the operator of Israel's restaurants offered free meals to Israeli soldiers, police, and residents near Gaza.
The intrigue: The Chicago-based companies fell in the middle of the road in political polarization, per the Axios Harris 100 Poll, on the spectrum with Target as the most Democratic and the Trump Organization the most Republican.
What we're watching: Walgreens is one of the least politically polarizing on the list, but gets its low marks in the areas of trajectory and growth, perhaps due to cost-cutting that included closing in-store clinics, and labor unrest with fed-up pharmacists.
Yes, but: The company announced last month they'll be rolling out a new specialty drug brand.
The bottom line: Despite declining population and high-profile business leaders leaving Chicago, the city still boasts a handful of well-known, trusted brands.