A look at four of the largest family businesses in America

Family businesses are no different from regular enterprises. They have similar corporate structures in place, and both aim to sell a product or service to a specific target market. They are subject to the same laws and taxes, and are treated the same if they go public. As the name implies, the only real difference is that family businesses stay in the blood. Here are America’s five largest family businesses that have carried on for decades:




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Mars

A leading provider of petcare products and chocolate bars, Mars has been operated by the Mars family since 1911. What started out as a homemade candy shop quickly became a chocolate bar franchise as children and adults alike could never seem to get enough of the Milky Way formula. The company is now present in six continents and employs approximately 70,000 workers worldwide.



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News Corp.

Headquartered in New York City, News Corp. was founded in 1979. It is operated– and still headed– by the Murdoch family. The world's second-largest media group, News Corp. is responsible for delivering most of the country's home entertainment through multiple platforms -- magazines, newspapers, cable television, and radio.


 
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Comcast

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the entertainment and communications giant was founded by the Roberts Family in Mississippi. It is currently headquartered in Philadelphia. Specializing in Internet services, cable television, and everything in between, Comcast has grown to become one of the biggest mass media companies under the guidance of the Roberts father-son tandem.



 
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Wal-Mart

Arguably the largest family business in America, Wal-Mart was established by the Walton family who are practically responsible for the country’s current perception of discounted bulk retail. Despite union issues in the news, the Walton father-son duo has made Wal-Mart a household name. The company earns around $421 billion every year.



Wohl Associates is a family-owned and –operated company. It has been in business for more than 40 years. Its website provides more details about the nature of its business.