Fortune 500 rank: 273
2010 revenue: $9.0 billion
2010 total shareholder return: 84.3%
When grocery shoppers are feeling flush, they're more likely to pay a little extra to go organic. And the fledgling economic recovery last year helped provide a boost to America's largest natural-goods grocer. Same-store sales at Whole Foods rose 6.5% in 2010 over the previous year. Meanwhile, the company worked aggressively to strengthen its balance sheet, using its excess cash to pay down some long-term loans.
Whole Foods also made strides in its efforts to become more efficient. In a November earnings call, CEO John Mackey said its new stores were about 15% smaller than before but generated 11% higher sales per square foot.
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Last updated May 05 2011: 3:04 PM ET
Note: Whole Foods changed its ticker symbol to WFM on May 6, 2011.
List excludes companies whose stocks fell below $1 during 2010.
List excludes companies whose stocks fell below $1 during 2010.