Charlotte’s Top 10 Corporate Giants: An Updated Guide to the Queen City’s Biggest Headquarters

Below is an updated, in-depth look at the 10 largest companies headquartered in the Charlotte area, verified against the 2023 Fortune 500 list (published in June 2023, reflecting each company’s 2022 fiscal-year revenue). Whenever possible, I’ve linked directly to Fortune’s company profiles and other primary sources for accuracy. Note that Fortune’s rankings sometimes differ from local lists if they factor in global revenue rather than purely domestic figures, or if they use slightly different cutoff dates for data.

1. Bank of America

Fortune 500 Rank (2023): #26
2022 Revenue (Fortune): $115.05 billion
Headquarters: 100 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Industry: Banking & Financial Services

Overview

As one of the “Big Four” U.S. banks, Bank of America serves approximately 68 million clients worldwide. Its Charlotte headquarters is a key pillar in the city’s reputation as a major financial hub.

Why It Matters to Charlotte

Top Employer: With tens of thousands of employees in the Carolinas, Bank of America remains one of the largest private employers in the region.
Community Investments: The Bank of America Charitable Foundation supports everything from affordable housing to workforce development programs in Charlotte.

2. Lowe’s

Fortune 500 Rank (2023): #35
2022 Revenue (Fortune): $96.25 billion
Headquarters: 1000 Lowes Blvd, Mooresville, NC 28117 (Greater Charlotte area)
Industry: Home Improvement Retail

Overview

Though based in Mooresville (just north of Charlotte), Lowe’s exerts a massive economic impact on the broader metro region. It is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the U.S., with more than 1,700 stores across North America.

Why It Matters to Charlotte

Regional Economic Driver: Drawing on Charlotte’s skilled workforce, Lowe’s continues to expand and create thousands of jobs across the metro.
Corporate Philanthropy: Through the Lowe’s Foundation, the company focuses on skilled trades education and community revitalization efforts.

3. Nucor

Fortune 500 Rank (2023): #96
2022 Revenue (Fortune): $41.51 billion
Headquarters: 1915 Rexford Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
Industry: Steel Manufacturing

Overview

Nucor is America’s largest steel producer, thanks to its mini-mill technology and recycling-based production model. Its steel is used extensively in the automotive, construction, and energy sectors.

Why It Matters to Charlotte

Green Steel Production: Nucor’s electric arc furnaces rely primarily on recycled scrap, placing it at the forefront of eco-friendly steel manufacturing. (See Nucor Sustainability)
Manufacturing Hub: Its presence underscores Charlotte’s position as a national leader in advanced manufacturing.

4. Duke Energy

Fortune 500 Rank (2023): #121
2022 Revenue (Fortune): $28.77 billion
Headquarters: 526 S Church St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Industry: Electric Power & Natural Gas

Overview

With about 8.2 million electricity customers spread across six states, Duke Energy is one of the largest power holding companies in the U.S. Its corporate headquarters in Uptown Charlotte is a fixture of the city’s skyline.

Why It Matters to Charlotte

Clean Energy Goals: Duke Energy aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, investing in renewables, battery storage, and grid modernization. (See Duke Energy’s Climate Report)
Local Engagement: Through the Duke Energy Foundation, the company channels millions of dollars into community development, education, and environmental initiatives.

5. Honeywell

Fortune 500 Rank (2023): #133
2022 Revenue (Fortune): $34.39 billion
Headquarters: 855 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Industry: Conglomerate (Aerospace, Building Technologies, Performance Materials, etc.)

Overview

Honeywell finalized its move from New Jersey to Charlotte in 2019, bolstering the city’s status as a prime destination for corporate headquarters. The global giant specializes in aerospace technology, building automation, and performance materials.

Why It Matters to Charlotte

New Corporate HQ: Honeywell’s relocation contributed to significant economic growth and added to Charlotte’s profile as a high-tech and innovation-friendly city.
Innovation in Uptown: The state-of-the-art Honeywell HQ fosters research, development, and collaboration across the company’s diverse product lines.

6. Truist Financial

Fortune 500 Rank (2023): #171
2022 Revenue (Fortune): $24.65 billion
Headquarters: 214 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Industry: Banking & Financial Services

Overview

Formed by the 2019 merger of BB&T and SunTrust, Truist is among the largest commercial banks in the country. Its presence further cements Charlotte’s position as a top financial center.

Why It Matters to Charlotte

Major Merger: Combining two well-known Southern banks, Truist brings together extensive customer bases and enhances Charlotte’s reputation for financial services.
Philanthropic Focus: The Truist Foundation supports local nonprofits focused on affordable housing, workforce readiness, and small business development.

7. Sonic Automotive

Fortune 500 Rank (2023): #279
2022 Revenue (Fortune): $14.04 billion
Headquarters: 4401 Colwick Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
Industry: Automotive Retail

Overview

Established in 1997, Sonic Automotive quickly rose to become one of the nation’s largest automotive dealers, with a network of over 100 dealerships offering new and used vehicles, parts, and services.

Why It Matters to Charlotte

Steady Expansion: Sonic’s growth contributes to Charlotte’s status as a retail and service powerhouse.
Digital Transformation: The EchoPark brand showcases Sonic’s innovative approach to used-car retailing, focused on a more streamlined, consumer-friendly experience.

8. Brighthouse Financial

Fortune 500 Rank (2023): #371
2022 Revenue (Fortune): $9.62 billion
Headquarters: 11225 North Community House Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Industry: Insurance & Financial Services

Overview

Spun off from MetLife in 2017, Brighthouse Financial offers life insurance and annuity products geared toward long-term financial security. Headquartered in Charlotte, the company operates nationwide.

Why It Matters to Charlotte

Expanding Financial Footprint: Charlotte is known for banking, but Brighthouse highlights the city’s growing insurance sector.
Local Philanthropy: Through the Brighthouse Financial Foundation, the company supports education and community well-being in the region.

9. Sealed Air

Fortune 500 Rank (2023): #457
2022 Revenue (Fortune): $5.65 billion
Headquarters: 2415 Cascade Pointe Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28208
Industry: Packaging Solutions

Overview

Best known for inventing Bubble Wrap®, Sealed Air provides packing, cushioning, and protective solutions for industries ranging from food service to high-tech electronics.

Why It Matters to Charlotte

Innovation in Packaging: Sealed Air focuses on developing more sustainable products, including reduced-plastic and fully recyclable materials. Read more on Sealed Air Sustainability.
Local Investments: The company’s global headquarters in Charlotte anchors a diverse manufacturing and R&D landscape in the city.

10. Albemarle

Fortune 500 Rank (2023): #483
2022 Revenue (Fortune): $7.32 billion
Headquarters: 4350 Congress St, Suite 700, Charlotte, NC 28209
Industry: Specialty Chemicals

Overview

Albemarle is a major global producer of lithium, bromine, and chemical catalysts — essential components in batteries, petroleum refining, and flame retardants.

Why It Matters to Charlotte

Lithium Leader: As electric vehicles (EVs) grow in popularity worldwide, Albemarle’s position in the lithium market ties Charlotte to the future of energy and mobility.
Research Partnerships: Albemarle invests heavily in R&D, often in collaboration with local universities and tech initiatives, spurring more innovation in the region.

Conclusion

From Bank of America’s towering presence in Uptown to Albemarle’s high-tech research into battery materials, Charlotte’s top companies underscore the city’s status as a diverse and dynamic commercial center. Each of these corporations — spanning banking, manufacturing, retail, energy, and beyond — plays a pivotal role in shaping Charlotte’s economic trajectory, job market, and philanthropic landscape.