C-store Operators Make List of America's Largest Private Cos.

NEW YORK -- Despite being insulated from the disposition of public investors, privately held companies are still subject to the pains of a weakened economy, Forbes reported. The 223 companies that qualified as the largest in America for the magazine's 2010 list sold $1.34 trillion in goods and services -- about $200 billion, or 13 percent less than a year ago.

Forbes' 26th ranking of the largest private companies in America included several players from the convenience and petroleum retailing industry. Appearing highest on the list was the newly consolidated Pilot Flying J. The Tennessee-based company captured the No. 12 spot, with revenue of $17.0 billion and 23,000 employees, according to the report.

Also breaking the top 20 were Michigan-based Meijer, which landed at No. 15 with $14.25 billion in revenue and 72,200 employees, as well as Oklahoma-based Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores coming in at No. 18., with $12.60 billion in revenue and a workforce of 6,700 employees.

Other companies to make the list included:
-- QuikTrip at No. 37: $7.30 billion in revenue; 11,236 employees.
-- Hy-Vee at No. 41: $6.80 billion in revenue; 55,000 employees.
-- Sinclair Oil at No. 42: $6.80 billion in revenue; 7,000 employees.
-- Cumberland Farms at No. 44: $6.57 billion in revenue; 6,000 employees.
-- Wawa at No. 50: $5.89 billion in revenue; 16,289 employees.
-- RaceTrac Petroleum at No. 63: $4.70 billion in revenue; 4,880 employees.
-- Mansfield Oil at No. 73: $4.20 billion in revenue; 350 employees.
-- Red Apple Group at No. 78: $4.02 billion in revenue; 7,600 employees.
-- Sheetz at No. 79: $401 billion in revenue; 12,880 employees.
-- Holiday Companies at No. 132: $3.00 billion in revenue; 4,600 employees.
-- Houchens Industries at No. 160: $2.67 billion in revenue; 15,000 employees.
-- Brookshire Grocery at No. 193: $2.27 billion in revenue; 12,000 employees.