News Summary
Tennessee has solidified its reputation as a business powerhouse by featuring 10 Fortune 500 companies in the latest list published by Fortune Magazine. This consistent performance, maintaining between nine and ten companies since 2013, highlights the state’s economic strength. FedEx leads at No. 49, with HCA Healthcare following closely at No. 61. Other notable companies include Dollar General and AutoZone. The pro-business environment, including no personal income tax and robust workforce development, positions Tennessee favorably within the national business landscape.
Tennessee’s Business Landscape Thrives with 10 Fortune 500 Companies in 2025
Tennessee has secured its position as a business powerhouse, featuring 10 Fortune 500 companies on the 2025 list published by Fortune Magazine. This number represents a stable presence for the state, which has maintained a count of nine or ten companies on the list since 2013. Notably, Tennessee is also home to 23 of America’s 1,000 largest companies.
Top Tennessee Companies
The highest-ranking company from Tennessee on the Fortune 500 list is FedEx, which has retained its place among the top 50, ranking No. 49. Despite experiencing a slight decline in its position over three years, FedEx remains a key player in the business landscape while employing over 422,000 people. The company reported a revenue of $87.7 billion with a net profit of $4.33 billion for fiscal year 2024.
HCA Healthcare, another impressive entity, ranks No. 61 on the list and is headquartered in Nashville. The healthcare giant operates around 200 hospitals nationwide and employs approximately 271,000 people. HCA’s reported revenue for the previous fiscal year was $64.97 billion with a net profit of $5.24 billion.
Other leading companies on the Fortune 500 list from Tennessee include Dollar General, AutoZone, and Eastman Chemical. Dollar General notably recorded revenues of $38.7 billion and net profits of $1.66 billion, while AutoZone reported revenues of $18.49 billion and net profits of $2.6 billion for its recent fiscal year.
National Comparison
In the broader national context, California leads the Fortune 500 list with 58 companies, followed by Texas and New York, each boasting over 50 companies. Walmart holds the top position on the list with approximately $680.985 million in revenues and over 2 million employees. Other prominent companies such as Amazon and UnitedHealth Group follow closely in the second and third spots, respectively.
Tennessee’s Business Environment
Known as a pro-business state, Tennessee offers no personal income tax and has implemented robust workforce development programs. This conducive environment contributed to the state being recognized as one of CNBC’s top states for business in 2024. Additionally, Tennessee has recorded the highest small business job growth in the Southeastern United States.
Financial Performance
The financial performance of various Tennessee companies—beyond FedEx and HCA—illustrates a thriving economy. International Paper reported revenues of $18.5 billion with a net profit of $186 million. Additionally, Tractor Supply Co. achieved revenues of $14.56 billion and net profit of $1.1 billion, while Delek U.S. Holdings garnered approximately $16.92 billion in revenue with a modest net profit of $20 million.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite these successes, some companies face challenges. Community Health Systems, for instance, reported a revenue of $12.49 billion but experienced a net loss of $133 million in fiscal year 2023. Overall, Tennessee’s economy continues to grow, contributing to an increasing number of major corporations choosing to operate within the state.
While no female CEOs lead the ten Fortune 500 companies based in Tennessee, progress has been noted within the extended Fortune list, with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and Brookdale Senior Living being recognized for their female leadership.
Tennessee’s resilience in attracting and retaining major businesses underscores its dynamic economy, making it a testament to the state’s favorable conditions for enterprises to thrive.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Knox News: Fortune 500 Companies in TN
- Williamson Scene: Tennessee Companies on Fortune 500 List
- Tennessean: Tennessee’s Largest Companies 2025
- Tennessean: Assurant Expands Electronics Recycling in TN
- Wikipedia: Fortune 500
