---
title: "Big Heart, Bigger Impact – Build-a-Bear Workshop Earns One of America’s Top Workplace Honors"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/e4c3f270-d247-4645-8903-6e047b8cbea7
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20260115_big_heart_bigger_impact__buildabear_workshop_earns_one_of_americas_top_work.html
category: "Specialty retail"
industry: "Retail"
segment: "Specialty retail"
published: 2026-01-15T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T16:54:18.951Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1450101499163-c8848c66ca85?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Big Heart, Bigger Impact – Build-a-Bear Workshop Earns One of America’s Top Workplace Honors

**TL;DR:** Build-A-Bear Workshop has been recognized as one of America's top workplaces, earning a distinction that sets the bar for workplace culture. The award is based on an independent analysis of over 120 culture-related performance indicators and more than 2.7 million company reviews submitted by employees nationwide.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2026-01-15. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20260115_big_heart_bigger_impact__buildabear_workshop_earns_one_of_americas_top_work.html).*

## Story

The distinction places Build-A-Bear among a select group of the most recognized brands in business, setting the bar for workplace culture. It underscores the role that purpose and belonging play in building strong organizations over time.

"For Build-A-Bear, this is more than just another award — it's a celebration of our teams and all the people across the organization who bring heart to the brand and our guests every day," said Sharon Price John, President and Chief Executive Officer of Build-A-Bear Workshop. "Since 1997 and the opening of our first store, we have always believed culture matters and community thrives where communication and creativity is encouraged. It is an honor to be recognized for something that has evolved to be so meaningful for so many."

"Culture isn't just a statement we print in a handbook; it's a commitment we live every day. It shows up in how we support our teams, how we honor every voice, and how people feel when they walk through our doors," said Roz Johnson, Chief People Officer of Build‑A‑Bear. "This recognition reflects the intention and heart our teams bring to creating a workplace where people can grow, contribute with purpose, and feel connected to something larger than themselves."

The award is based on an independent, third-party analysis conducted by Plant-A Insights Group in partnership with Aniline as part of Newsweek's annual workplace study. The evaluation reviewed more than 120 culture-related performance indicators, including leadership, integrity, compensation, and work-life balance, drawing from over 2.7 million company reviews submitted by more than 179,000 employees nationwide.

Combined with data from prior studies, the ranking represents one of the largest independent employee culture analyses in the U.S., with a particular focus on insights from women, minorities, and diverse demographic groups.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Retail (sector)
- award recognition (topic)
- Newsweek (company)
- Build-A-Bear Workshop (company)
- workplace culture (topic)
- Sharon Price John (person)
- employee satisfaction (topic)
- Plant-A Insights Group (company)
- Roz Johnson (person)
- Aniline (company)

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Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20260115_big_heart_bigger_impact__buildabear_workshop_earns_one_of_americas_top_work.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/e4c3f270-d247-4645-8903-6e047b8cbea7).