What is Minnesota’s Best?

As Minnesota’s largest and most trusted media company, it’s always our mission to help support a flourishing business community. And that’s exactly what Minnesota’s Best presented by Royal Credit Union is all about.

Minnesota’s Best is a best-of contest created to help all the valuable businesses we appreciate not only survive but thrive.

How does it work?

Minnesota’s Best is an audience-driven contest. Businesses are nominated by owners, managers, customers, and/or fans. There is no cost for businesses to participate in the contest.

Businesses are nominated in one of over 350 categories are then vetted, verifying that they provide the service that they are nominated for and that they serve Minnesota.

The public can vote once each day during the voting period. See the official contest rules here.

There are three winners (Gold, Silver, and Bronze) in each category. See the 2024 winners here!

In 2023 there were over 6000 nominations and 1 million votes, with 722 unique businesses placed as Gold, Silver, or Bronze winners.

How are winners announced?

Winners will be announced on the Minnesota’s Best website and in our Minnesota’s Best winner guide on Sunday, July 13th, 2025.

Each Gold winner will be featured with a profile and photograph along with the win level.

Each Silver and Bronze winner will have their business information and the win level.

Why participate?

This is your chance to be recognized as the best in Minnesota by the most participated in best of contest in Minnesota.

BOOSTS FAN ENGAGEMENT AND LOYALTY. Encouraging fans of your business to vote in Minnesota’s Best establishes a strong, engaged, and loyal fan base.
BUILDS NEW CUSTOMER ACQUISITION. Seeing your business being nominated, promoted, and voted on encourages consumers to try your products.
BRAND VISIBILITY. The contest is supported by a multi-media campaign valued at more than $1,500,000. All winners will be on the Minnesota’s Best website and in the winner guide distributed throughout Minnesota.
THIRD PARTY VALIDATION of products and services to prevent fraudulent voting and verify results.
EXPANDS PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES by using the Minnesota’s Best logo year-round to keep winner status top of mind.
ELEVATES EMPLOYEE MORALE & RETENTION and makes hiring new talent easier.

How can my Business participate?

For business contest participation details click here!

See the 2025 contest dates here! Results announced Sunday, July 13th!

For Minnesota’s Best questions, please reach us at MNBestQuestions@Startribune.com