The home-services giant proves that linking employee care to customer outcomes is a winning formula for building a loved workplace and landing in the Top 100.
Across the 2026 Most Loved Workplaces® Top 100, a clear pattern has emerged: companies that win employees' hearts build trust through accessible leadership, create systematic ways to listen and act, and operationalize their culture through co-created values and manager-as-coach training. They invest in their people with the same rigor they apply to their customers.
Home-services powerhouse O2E Brands, ranking #8, exemplifies this approach. The parent company to brands like 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, WOW 1 DAY PAINTING, and Shack Shine has built its success on a simple premise articulated in its mission: "when you treat people right, they feel connected to the brand and will take care of our customers." This philosophy is more than a slogan; it's a business model proven out by the company's consistent appearance in the Top 100 and its specific, verifiable practices.
The Accessible, Culture-Setting CEO
One of the most powerful trends among the Top 100 is the CEO who actively models the company’s values. At O2E Brands, this practice is central to its success. The company’s focus on people-first leadership is championed from the top down, a fact underscored by its 2024 recognition for having a Top Most Loved CEO.
How O2E Brands does this: While the company has grown into a major player with 762 employees and a portfolio of franchise brands, its leadership remains a visible anchor for the culture. The "Top Most Loved CEO" award for Brian Scudamore signals that employees see the company's people-first values embodied in his leadership. This visible alignment between words and actions builds the authenticity needed for a culture to feel genuine, ensuring the tone set at the top permeates every part of the organization.
Operationalized Values in Action
Leading companies don’t just post their values on a wall; they weave them into the fabric of daily work. The best embed their principles into hiring, performance reviews, and daily routines. O2E Brands operationalizes its "it's all about people" culture through consistent connection and communication.
How O2E Brands does this: A core ritual that brings this value to life is the "daily huddle," a practice where teams come together to connect and align. This simple, scalable routine ensures that the people-first focus remains a tangible part of the workday, not an abstract ideal. By creating a dedicated time for team connection, O2E Brands reinforces its core belief that supported employees become the best brand ambassadors, a practice that directly links internal culture to external customer satisfaction.
Structured Pathways for Internal Growth
Another key differentiator for the 2026 Top 100 is the creation of formal, visible pathways for career advancement. Providing clear opportunities for internal growth is a powerful retention tool, demonstrating a commitment to employee development that helps explain the 48% lower turnover seen in certified organizations.
How O2E Brands does this: The company’s commitment to internal mobility is validated by its 2024 Most Loved Workplace® honor for "Career Advancement." This award is not given for platitudes about growth but for the demonstrated existence of structured programs that help employees build a long-term career within the company. For O2E Brands, which operates a diverse franchise system, creating these pathways allows talent to move and grow across its portfolio, ensuring that great people can find their next opportunity without leaving the organization.
A Model for People-Centric Success
O2E Brands has earned its spot in the Top 10 by building a business model where employee care is the direct driver of customer experience and profitability. Its success demonstrates that in the modern workplace, treating people right isn't just a slogan—it's a strategic advantage. The company’s achievements in leadership, culture, and career development offer a clear signal that it has built a workplace where employees feel genuinely valued and see a future for themselves.