This selection of companies in Chicago with in-house R&D capabilities features large enterprises across diverse sectors. McDonald's, a global fast-food chain, and JLL, a real estate and investment management firm, represent significant employers. Other major players include Mondel膿z International, known for snack brands like Oreo, and GE HealthCare, an innovator in medical technology. ADM, a global nutrition company, and Kraft Heinz, a producer of food and beverage products, also highlight Chicago's strong presence in the food industry.
The list reveals a notable concentration of companies in the food and beverage manufacturing and services sectors, alongside a substantial presence of healthcare institutions. For example, Rush University Medical Center and UChicago Medicine are academic medical centers. The technology sector is also represented by companies like Motorola Solutions, focused on public safety communication, and Motorola Mobility, known for innovative smartphones.
| # | Company | Employees | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
McDonald'scorporate.mcdonalds.com
global fast-food restaurant chain operating over 37,000 locations worldwide, serving popular menu items and employing 1.9 million people |
261,219 | |||
| 2 | 104,899 | ||||
| 3 |
Mondel膿z Internationalmondelezinternational.com
Global multinational manufacturing and marketing iconic snacks, biscuits, chocolate, candy, and gum brands including Oreo and Cadbury to empower people to snack right. |
79,000 | |||
| 4 |
GE HealthCaregehealthcare.com
Global medical technology and digital solutions innovator leveraging intelligent devices, data analytics, and artificial intelligence to drive precision health and improve patient outcomes worldwide |
60,041 | |||
| 5 | 42,789 | ||||
| 6 |
Kraft Heinzkraftheinz.com
Producer of high-quality food and beverage products including condiments, dairy, meals, beverages, and nutrition items marketed worldwide. |
39,000 | |||
| 7 |
Motorola Solutionsmotorolasolutions.com
The company builds and connects technologies to enhance public safety collaboration for safer communities, schools, hospitals, and businesses worldwide |
28,153 | |||
| 8 |
University of Chicagouchicago.edu
A prestigious academic institution encouraging scholars and students to think critically, explore various disciplines, and challenge conventional ideas for global enrichment |
18,526 | |||
| 9 |
Motorola Mobility (a Lenovo Company)motorola.com
Innovative smartphones and accessories are created by a global team, fostering collaboration, creativity, and a commitment to consumer-centric mobile technology innovation |
17,456 | |||
| 10 |
TransUniontransunion.com
Global information and insights company enabling trust and confident transactions by providing actionable, data-driven pictures of individuals for businesses and consumers worldwide |
17,036 | |||
| 11 |
Rush University Medical Centerrush.edu
Academic medical center with hospital, health center, university offering medical, nursing education, research, residency programs, and community outreach services. |
12,484 | |||
| 12 |
UChicago Medicineuchicagomedicine.org
Provides superior, compassionate healthcare, advancing medical innovation, serving community health needs, and furthering knowledge through an academic medical institution and regional network. |
7,940 | |||
| 13 |
Conagra Brandsconagrabrands.com
Diverse team managing iconic and emerging food brands with a focus on innovation, integrity, and consistent business results. |
7,846 | |||
| 14 |
Northwestern Memorial Hospitalnmh.org
A collaboration between healthcare and university partners, Northwestern Medicine aims to transform healthcare through research, teaching, and patient care excellence |
7,371 | |||
| 15 |
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicagoluriechildrens.org
Largest pediatric healthcare provider in the region, teaching partner of Northwestern University, nationally ranked in all pediatric specialties. |
7,202 | |||
Want more companies than this list?This page shows the largest ones only. Connect to Tamtam to see every company that matches, filter by size, industry or growth, and reach their decision-makers. | |||||
| 16 |
Kellanovakellanova.com
A global powerhouse in snacks, cereal, noodles, and frozen foods, committed to creating better days and promoting sustainable access to food |
6,197 | |||
| 17 | 5,752 | ||||
| 18 |
Ferraraferrarausa.com
A leading sugar confectionery company in the US, focused on driving category development with a diverse portfolio of iconic brands |
5,430 | |||
| 19 |
James Hardiejameshardie.com
Global leader in high-performance fiber cement and fiber gypsum building solutions, empowering homeowners and professionals worldwide with premium quality products for design and protection |
5,022 | |||
| 20 |
Northwestern University - The Feinberg School of Medicinefeinberg.northwestern.edu
A renowned medical school in Chicago offering MD programs, research, patient care, and community service to educate future physicians |
4,009 | |||
| 21 |
Amsted Industriesamsted.com
Global manufacturer of industrial components for railroad, automotive, commercial vehicle, construction, and building markets, with a focus on innovation and employee ownership |
3,554 | |||
| 22 |
Tempus AItempus.com
Utilizing AI and data analytics, the company empowers physicians to personalize patient care with real-time insights and targeted therapies |
3,051 | |||
| 23 |
Methode Electronicsmethode.com
Designs, engineers, produces mechatronic products for OEMs, utilizing broad technologies for user interface, LED lighting, power distribution, and sensor applications. |
3,043 | |||
| 24 |
JBT Mareljbtmarel.com
Provider of integrated technology, equipment, software, and services for food and beverage industries, supporting diverse product sectors worldwide. |
2,852 | |||
| 25 |
Applied Systemswww1.appliedsystems.com
A leading provider of innovative cloud software for the insurance industry, driving transformation through digitization, automation, and new partnerships |
2,813 | |||
| 26 |
UI Healthhospital.uillinois.edu
This academic health enterprise in Illinois offers comprehensive care, education, and research to promote health equity and train healthcare leaders |
2,813 | |||
| 27 |
S&C Electric Companysandc.com
This company specializes in developing innovative solutions for a more intelligent and resilient electrical grid, aiming for an outage-free, sustainable energy future |
2,761 | |||
| 28 |
GE Transportation, a Wabtec companywabteccorp.com
A global leader in digital industrial solutions for rail, mining, marine, power, and drilling industries, specializing in advanced manufacturing and connected machines |
2,533 | |||
| 29 | 2,463 | ||||
| 30 |
Shirley Ryan AbilityLabsralab.org
Specializes in treating severe physical disabilities through integrated clinical care and research, improving recovery for complex conditions. |
2,124 | |||
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How this list is built
Every company on this list has a Tamtam company profile. The industry is the one the company gives on LinkedIn; categories such as SaaS or fintech are classified by Tamtam's AI from the company's website and LinkedIn page; and the headquarters city must match the company's own address. Companies are ranked by the number of employees on LinkedIn, and the list is refreshed every night. Classifications can be wrong, so treat the list as a starting point rather than an official ranking. Last updated Nov 11, 2026.
More company lists in Chicago
- The largest companies in Chicago 1,860
- Multinational companies in Chicago 366
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- Professional services firms in Chicago 196
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- Education providers in Chicago 138
- SaaS companies in Chicago 132
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- IT Services and IT Consulting companies in Chicago 115
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- Venture capital and private equity firms in Chicago 106
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- Hospitals and Health Care companies in Chicago 99
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- Subscription businesses in Chicago 92
- Healthcare providers in Chicago 86
- Retail chains in Chicago 84
- Companies with a mobile app in Chicago 75
- Critical infrastructure operators in Chicago 74
- Publicly traded companies in Chicago 71
- Real Estate companies in Chicago 67
- Non-profit Organizations companies in Chicago 66
- Corporate groups and holding companies in Chicago 64
The same list elsewhere in United States
- Companies with in-house R&D in the United States 6,796
- Companies with in-house R&D in California 1,276
- Companies with in-house R&D in Texas 442
- Companies with in-house R&D in New York State 419
- Companies with in-house R&D in Massachusetts 396
- Companies with in-house R&D in Illinois 322
- Companies with in-house R&D in Michigan 287
- Companies with in-house R&D in Ohio 277
- Companies with in-house R&D in Pennsylvania 255
- Companies with in-house R&D in New Jersey 224
- Companies with in-house R&D in Florida 221
- Companies with in-house R&D in Alabama 214
- Companies with in-house R&D in Georgia 173
- Companies with in-house R&D in Virginia 166
- Companies with in-house R&D in North Carolina 158
- Companies with in-house R&D in Wisconsin 154
- Companies with in-house R&D in Minnesota 146
- Companies with in-house R&D in Washington State 140
- Companies with in-house R&D in Colorado 113
- Companies with in-house R&D in Maryland 107
- Companies with in-house R&D in Indiana 104
- Companies with in-house R&D in New York 223
- Companies with in-house R&D in San Francisco 147
- Companies with in-house R&D in Houston 129