Audio By Carbonatix
Does it matter if companies “Do the right thing?” Dallas Mavericks fans recently won a battle on that front. But, widely speaking — taking the focus away from a generational Slovenian guard, face of a franchise and, also, sort of the city — how much of our purchasing decisions are based on the moral scruples of the company we’re bartering with?
Recently, MarketBeat, a financial media company, surveyed 3,012 Americans to plot a moral map of American businesses.
The results weren’t too surprising, although we’re a wee bit skeptical about the placement of one iconic Texas brand.
No. 27 H-E-B
When news happens, Dallas Observer is there —
Your support strengthens our coverage.
We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If the Dallas Observer matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.
Twenty-seventh? We’ll fight. However, for a company with stores strictly in Texas, this is a decent showing on a nationwide survey. We’ve written extensively about how H-E-B prioritizes showing up for Texans. Being there, no matter what, is a pillar of their business model. Hurricane response, ice storms, natural disasters: you name it, they’ll be there feeding people, donating money for recovery, and whatever else the community needs.
“Texans don’t just shop at H-E-B — they take pride in it. The grocery chain is privately owned and deeply woven into community life, from disaster-relief donations to scholarships and local sourcing. Its employee stock program and long record of storm-response logistics make it a model of practical compassion. In a state that values independence and generosity in equal measure, H-E-B embodies both.” — MarketBeat
No. 10 Buc-ee’s
We love it that the best roadside stop ever is getting its flowers in a nationwide survey. MarketBeat founder Matt Paulson says that ethical perception has become a new currency of brand loyalty. “People want to believe the companies they support share their values – and they’re rewarding those that prove it,” says Paulson.
“What began as a roadside gas station has grown into a statewide symbol of friendliness and efficiency. Buc-ee’s keeps its wages high, bathrooms spotless, and culture unapologetically Texan. Behind the humor and beaver mascot lies a serious commitment to hospitality and worker respect — proof that ethics can travel at 80 miles per hour.” — MarketBeat
Morals though? We think we collectively appreciate spotless bathrooms and the smell of those warm, candied nuts wafting over the chaos. And in terms of paying a livable wage — that’s not moral, that’s decent. But, that’s cool! Go Buc-ee’s!
In our hearts, we’re flipping Buc-ee’s and H-E-B, but we love them both.
