Best Places to Work 2025: Why the top 3 companies are getting it right

Each year, Glassdoor turns to the experts on the ground — the workers — to learn which organizations are excelling in employee experience. While generous benefits and work-life balance were popular themes among the top honorees on Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work (BPTW) 2025 list, culture was the most common refrain: 

But feel-good vibes are just one piece of the puzzle. Glassdoor Economic Research combed through the data from this year’s BPTW list and learned that the best workplaces, both large and small, nailed employee satisfaction with a combination of traits that went beyond culture and perks, including:

So, how do the best of the best get things done? Let’s dig into their Glassdoor employee reviews for a closer look.

Why Bain & Company is a great place to work

Returning champion Bain & Company, with a BPTW rating of 4.6 out of 5, could offer a masterclass in employee satisfaction. This is the seventh time the Boston-based management consulting firm has earned the top spot on our list, and the second year in a row at #1. 

While  consulting is a famously intense gig, employees say Bain offers a supportive work environment where employees adhere to the creed, “A Bainie never lets another Bainie fail.” A Dallas-area employee explains, “Company leaders hold themselves to the same high standards they expect employees to perform at, but they are always willing to help anyone who is coming up short in that regard and get them up to standards.”

The company also wins praise for its commitment to employee growth, offering ample opportunities for skill enhancement and career advancement. And while top-tier salaries are standard in consulting, Bain reaches beyond base pay and bonuses with benefits like generous PTO and family leave.

With reviews like these, it’s not surprising that the company has placed in the top four every year since BPTW was launched in 2009. It also ranked #1 on Glassdoor’s inaugural Best-Led Companies list in 2024.

Why Crew Carwash is a great place to work

Indianapolis-based Crew Carwash (BPTW rating: 4.6) has been a frequent honoree as both a small & medium and a large company. Last year, it came in at #11 on our large list. This family-owned business was one of the first carwashes in the United States when it was founded over 75 years ago, and employees describe it as a “great place to grow your career both internally [and] externally.”

Read Crew’s reviews, and you’ll discover a number of employees have been with the company for years, citing perks like tuition reimbursement for students. The company is also committed to promoting from within, and workers say management listens to ideas. Specifically, “the leadership team is always re-evaluating the value they give to… employees”.

Why In-N-Out is a great place to work

Since 1948, In-N-Out (BPTW rating: 4.5) has grown from a single hamburger stand in Baldwin Park, CA,  into a regional juggernaut with more than 400 locations across eight states.  Along the way, it’s chalked up 11 appearances on Glassdoor’s BPTW list — including #6 in 2024 — and ranked #9 on the 2024 Best-Led Companies list. 

What’s In-N-Out’s secret sauce? Employees say “management genuinely cares about employees' well-being,” pointing to opportunities for advancement, health insurance and retirement plans, and free meals during shifts.  With a large number of employees working part-time schedules, flexibility and time off are also big draws. Plus, many workers say they enjoy the “upbeat environment,” with the word “fun” appearing in several reviews. As one employee from Arizona puts it, “Everyone is there because they want to be.” 

What the top-rated companies get right

Businesses don’t have to be “unicorns” or household names to earn a spot on the Best Places to Work list. This year’s honorees demonstrate that what employees really want is a supportive environment, fair compensation and benefits, and the flexibility to have a meaningful worklife.

Want to learn more about our picks for the most employee-friendly companies? Check out the full Best Places to Work 2025 list.