# List of companies with in-house R&D in Chicago

Tamtam tracks 93 companies with in-house R&D headquartered in Chicago. This list ranks the 30 largest by number of employees on LinkedIn, led by McDonald's, JLL and Mondelēz International. Their median headcount is 7,202. Half of them were founded in 1919 or later.

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 Mondelēz 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.

🇺🇸 Chicago · 30 companies · Updated Nov 11, 2026

| # | Company | Industry | Headquarters | Employees | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [McDonald's](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/mcdonald-s) (corporate.mcdonalds.com)<br>global fast-food restaurant chain operating over 37,000 locations worldwide, serving popular menu items and employing 1.9 million people | Restaurants | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 261,219 |  |
| 2 | [JLL](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/jll) (jill.com)<br>A leading professional services firm specializing in real estate and investment management, creating rewarding opportunities and sustainable solutions using advanced technology | Real Estate | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 104,899 |  |
| 3 | [Mondelēz International](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/mondelez-international) (mondelezinternational.com)<br>Global multinational manufacturing and marketing iconic snacks, biscuits, chocolate, candy, and gum brands including Oreo and Cadbury to empower people to snack right. | Food and Beverage Manufacturing | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 79,000 | 2012 |
| 4 | [GE HealthCare](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/ge-healthcare) (gehealthcare.com)<br>Global medical technology and digital solutions innovator leveraging intelligent devices, data analytics, and artificial intelligence to drive precision health and improve patient outcomes worldwide | Hospitals and Health Care | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 60,041 | 1892 |
| 5 | [ADM](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/adm) (adm.com)<br>Global nutrition company transforming industries with plant-based solutions, sustainable practices, and cutting-edge innovations for a healthier, more environmentally friendly future | Food and Beverage Manufacturing | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 42,789 | 1902 |
| 6 | [Kraft Heinz](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/kraft-heinz) (kraftheinz.com)<br>Producer of high-quality food and beverage products including condiments, dairy, meals, beverages, and nutrition items marketed worldwide. | Food and Beverage Services | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 39,000 | 2015 |
| 7 | [Motorola Solutions](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/motorola-solutions) (motorolasolutions.com)<br>The company builds and connects technologies to enhance public safety collaboration for safer communities, schools, hospitals, and businesses worldwide | Telecommunications | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 28,153 |  |
| 8 | [University of Chicago](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/university-of-chicago) (uchicago.edu)<br>A prestigious academic institution encouraging scholars and students to think critically, explore various disciplines, and challenge conventional ideas for global enrichment | Higher Education | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 18,526 |  |
| 9 | [Motorola Mobility (a Lenovo Company)](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/motorola-mobility-a-lenovo-company) (motorola.com)<br>Innovative smartphones and accessories are created by a global team, fostering collaboration, creativity, and a commitment to consumer-centric mobile technology innovation | Computers and Electronics Manufacturing | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 17,456 | 1928 |
| 10 | [TransUnion](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/transunion) (transunion.com)<br>Global information and insights company enabling trust and confident transactions by providing actionable, data-driven pictures of individuals for businesses and consumers worldwide | IT Services and IT Consulting | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 17,036 |  |
| 11 | [Rush University Medical Center](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/rush-university-medical-center) (rush.edu)<br>Academic medical center with hospital, health center, university offering medical, nursing education, research, residency programs, and community outreach services. | Hospitals and Health Care | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 12,484 |  |
| 12 | [UChicago Medicine](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/uchicago-medicine) (uchicagomedicine.org)<br>Provides superior, compassionate healthcare, advancing medical innovation, serving community health needs, and furthering knowledge through an academic medical institution and regional network. | Hospitals and Health Care | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 7,940 | 1927 |
| 13 | [Conagra Brands](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/conagra-brands) (conagrabrands.com)<br>Diverse team managing iconic and emerging food brands with a focus on innovation, integrity, and consistent business results. | Food and Beverage Services | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 7,846 | 1919 |
| 14 | [Northwestern Memorial Hospital](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/northwestern-memorial-hospital) (nmh.org)<br>A collaboration between healthcare and university partners, Northwestern Medicine aims to transform healthcare through research, teaching, and patient care excellence | Hospitals and Health Care | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 7,371 |  |
| 15 | [Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/ann-and-robert-h-lurie-children-s-hospital-of-chicago) (luriechildrens.org)<br>Largest pediatric healthcare provider in the region, teaching partner of Northwestern University, nationally ranked in all pediatric specialties. | Hospitals and Health Care | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 7,202 |  |
| 16 | [Kellanova](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/kellanova) (kellanova.com)<br>A global powerhouse in snacks, cereal, noodles, and frozen foods, committed to creating better days and promoting sustainable access to food | Food and Beverage Manufacturing | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 6,197 | 2023 |
| 17 | [USG](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/usg) (usg.com)<br>A leading manufacturer of building products, providing innovative solutions for walls, ceilings, flooring, and roofing in construction markets worldwide | Wholesale Building Materials | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 5,752 | 1902 |
| 18 | [Ferrara](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/ferrara) (ferrarausa.com)<br>A leading sugar confectionery company in the US, focused on driving category development with a diverse portfolio of iconic brands | Food and Beverage Manufacturing | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 5,430 | 1908 |
| 19 | [James Hardie](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/james-hardie) (jameshardie.com)<br>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 | Wholesale Building Materials | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 5,022 |  |
| 20 | [Northwestern University - The Feinberg School of Medicine](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/northwestern-university-the-feinberg-school-of-medicine) (feinberg.northwestern.edu)<br>A renowned medical school in Chicago offering MD programs, research, patient care, and community service to educate future physicians | Higher Education | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 4,009 | 1859 |
| 21 | [Amsted Industries](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/amsted-industries) (amsted.com)<br>Global manufacturer of industrial components for railroad, automotive, commercial vehicle, construction, and building markets, with a focus on innovation and employee ownership | Industrial Machinery Manufacturing | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 3,554 |  |
| 22 | [Tempus AI](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/tempus-ai) (tempus.com)<br>Utilizing AI and data analytics, the company empowers physicians to personalize patient care with real-time insights and targeted therapies | Biotechnology Research | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 3,051 | 2015 |
| 23 | [Methode Electronics](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/methode-electronics) (methode.com)<br>Designs, engineers, produces mechatronic products for OEMs, utilizing broad technologies for user interface, LED lighting, power distribution, and sensor applications. | Appliances, Electrical, and Electronics Manufacturing | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 3,043 |  |
| 24 | [JBT Marel](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/jbt-marel) (jbtmarel.com)<br>Provider of integrated technology, equipment, software, and services for food and beverage industries, supporting diverse product sectors worldwide. | Machinery Manufacturing | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 2,852 | 1884 |
| 25 | [Applied Systems](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/applied-systems) (www1.appliedsystems.com)<br>A leading provider of innovative cloud software for the insurance industry, driving transformation through digitization, automation, and new partnerships | Software Development | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 2,813 | 1983 |
| 26 | [UI Health](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/ui-health) (hospital.uillinois.edu)<br>This academic health enterprise in Illinois offers comprehensive care, education, and research to promote health equity and train healthcare leaders | Hospitals and Health Care | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 2,813 |  |
| 27 | [S&C Electric Company](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/s-and-c-electric-company) (sandc.com)<br>This company specializes in developing innovative solutions for a more intelligent and resilient electrical grid, aiming for an outage-free, sustainable energy future | Electrical Equipment Manufacturing | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 2,761 | 1911 |
| 28 | [GE Transportation, a Wabtec company](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/ge-transportation-a-wabtec-company) (wabteccorp.com)<br>A global leader in digital industrial solutions for rail, mining, marine, power, and drilling industries, specializing in advanced manufacturing and connected machines | Truck Transportation | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 2,533 | 1907 |
| 29 | [DRW](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/drw) (drw.com)<br>Global principal trading firm capturing investment opportunities through technology and research across multiple asset classes while maintaining a collaborative, high-performance culture for employees. | Financial Services | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 2,463 |  |
| 30 | [Shirley Ryan AbilityLab](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/shirley-ryan-abilitylab) (sralab.org)<br>Specializes in treating severe physical disabilities through integrated clinical care and research, improving recovery for complex conditions. | Hospitals and Health Care | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 2,124 | 1954 |

## 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.

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Source: https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-chicago