These were the Mass. companies on the new Forbes list of largest family businesses

Forbes ranked America’s largest family-run businesses as the U.S. approaches its 250th birthday. The ranking includes Fidelity Investments, controlled by the Johnson family, at No. 14, and Demoulas Super Markets at No. 69. Fidelity reports $37.7 billion in annual revenue, while Demoulas Super Markets reports $8 billion yearly. The rankings measure multigenerational family businesses by revenue, including private and public companies where founding families retain significant ownership and leadership roles. The list spans industries from retail and agriculture to automotive manufacturing and hospitality. Walmart topped the ranking with $713 billion in annual revenue, followed by Ford Motor, Cargill, and Koch. Fidelity is the highest-ranked financial services company on the list. Nearly all private companies are more than 50 percent owned by founding families, and Fidelity qualifies with about 49 percent ownership because Abigail Johnson serves as chairman and CEO. Demoulas Super Markets is 100 percent owned by the Demoulas family and traces its origins to a Lowell grocery store opened in 1917.

"With their deep roots in communities across the country, these family businesses account for an estimated 25 percent of U.S. companies and 23 percent of the American workforce, Forbes said in its report."

"Forbes said its rankings are based on measuring the nation's largest multigenerational family businesses by revenue, including private and public companies in which founding families retain significant ownership and leadership roles. The list spans industries ranging from retail and agriculture to automotive manufacturing and hospitality."

"Nearly all of the private companies on Forbes' list are more than 50 percent owned by their founding families, according to the magazine. However, Fidelity, which is roughly 49 percent owned by the Johnson family, still qualified since Abigail Johnson, granddaughter of founder Edward C. Johnson II, serves as chairman and CEO."

"The Demoulas family owns 100 percent of their company, which traces its roots to a small Lowell grocery store opened in 1917 by Athanasios "Arthur" Demoulas and his wife, Efrosine. The company has since grown into one of New England's largest supermarket chains, ope"

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