About The Program

Focused on helping local businesses stand out, build trust, and show their community they're proudly locally owned and operated—now and for the future.

Get certified for free

our missi0n

Make It Easy
to Support Local

Here’s what local business owners are saying

Every day, people choose where to shop, eat, and spend, but it’s not always clear which businesses are truly locally owned. In a world where private equity firms are buying up hometown favorites and blending them into national chains, it’s harder than ever to tell what’s still independent.

That’s where the Locally Owned and Operated certification comes in.

We created it to help consumers identify and support businesses that are rooted in their community, places where the owners live nearby, hire locally, and reinvest close to home.

This isn’t just about shopping small. It’s about preserving the character of our neighborhoods, keeping dollars in the local economy, and making sure the businesses our communities depend on stay local.

did you know?

96% of people pay attention to whether a business is locally owned and operated

did you know?

96% of people pay attention to whether a business is locally owned and operated

Join hundreds of certified
local businesses

Join hundreds of certified local businesses

Be part of a growing network of locally owned businesses proudly making a difference in their communities. Certification is free, fast, and easy—and it helps customers find and support businesses like yours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does American Operator run this program?

American Operator helps keep businesses local by transitioning ownership of great small businesses from retiring owners to local industry operators. We give owners an alternative to selling to private equity firms that may disrupt their legacy, while creating opportunities for the next generation of hard-working Americans to own and lead businesses in their communities.

We run the Locally Owned and Operated certification program completely free of cost to applicants because we believe local ownership is the backbone of American communities and should be visible and valued. As local businesses continue to be bought by private equity firms, customers often cannot tell the difference between independently owned businesses and those backed by large institutions.

Certification makes your commitment to local ownership clear. It helps you attract customers who value local service, demonstrate your investment in the community, and signal your commitment to remaining locally owned and operated for the long haul.