McDonald's
Headquarters: Oakbrook, IL, USA
2010 Revenue ($ millions):24,100
What makes it so great?
The fast-food giant cares about its employees' talents in the kitchen -- and on the stage. McDonald's Peru encourages workers to participate in the "Voice of McDonald's" program, which is basically an American Idol with a Golden Arches twist. The top 16 singers (each gets a plus one) receive an all-expenses paid trip to the McDonald's Global Convention in Orlando, Florida, to compete against one another for the winning title -- and a prize of $25,000 and a possible recording contract.
Fun aside, the company ensures that all employees receive fair treatment. In the UK, McDonald's has partnered with Job Centre Plus to provide jobs for long-term unemployed applicants and with Remboy, which helps disabled and disadvantaged unemployed citizens. "This company cares about people -- developing them, training them and giving them the tools to do their job confidently and effectively. There's a great training system, and also a clear focus of where we are and where we are going," an employee says.