Winmark Corporation (WINA) — ESG & Values Scores

Environment story

Winmark operates a resale franchise model that inherently reduces consumer waste and extends product lifecycles. The company reports that franchised stores have extended the lives of over 2.1 billion items since 2010 and over 195 million items in 2025 alone. However, the company discloses no formal Scope 1, Scope 2, or Scope 3 emissions data, no renewable energy commitments, and no net-zero targets. Environmental disclosure is minimal, with no evidence of decarbonization infrastructure investments or climate-related risk mitigation strategies beyond the inherent sustainability of the resale model. No material environmental controversies are disclosed.

Criticisms on file

No material criticisms on file for this pillar.

Disclosed initiatives

Extended Product Lifecycles Through Resale Model

Company franchises five resale retail brands (Plato's Closet, Once Upon A Child, Play It Again Sports, Style Encore, Music Go Round) that buy and sell gently used merchandise, keeping items out of landfills.

2.1+ billion items extended in use since 2010; 195 million items in 2025 alone; reduction in new production demand and associated manufacturing emissions.

Social story

Winmark employs 87 employees with no union representation or collective bargaining agreements. The company provides competitive salaries, health benefits, 401(k) matching, profit-sharing, and paid leave. No material information is disclosed regarding CEO-to-worker pay ratio, workforce diversity metrics, turnover rates, or supply-chain human-rights audits. The company operates an asset-light franchise model, limiting direct control over franchisee labor practices. No material labor disputes, NLRB complaints, or supply-chain controversies are disclosed. No supply-chain ethics audits for sourcing of used merchandise or new product vendors are publicly disclosed.

Criticisms on file

No material criticisms on file for this pillar.

Disclosed initiatives

Employee Development and Wellness

Company emphasizes learning, mentorship, leadership succession planning, and promoting from within. Benefits include competitive salaries, robust health and welfare benefits, 401(k) with matching, profit-sharing, generous paid leave, and employee assistance program.

Intended to support employee retention, morale, and work quality; no quantified outcomes disclosed.
Franchisee Support and Training

Company provides comprehensive training programs for franchisees covering business planning, store operations, point-of-sale systems, inventory management, and ongoing operational support.

Enables franchisee success and profitability; indirect support for small business owners and their employees (franchisees and franchisee employees are not direct Winmark employees).

Governance story

Winmark is a large accelerated filer incorporated in Minnesota with 3,571,861 shares outstanding as of February 23, 2026. The company operates with a single-class common stock structure (no disclosed dual-class voting arrangement). The 10-K does not disclose board composition, independence metrics, or director names in the provided excerpt. No material antitrust, consumer-safety, or financial-fraud proceedings are disclosed. No lobbying expenditures or political action committee contributions are disclosed in the 10-K. The company is subject to federal and state franchise regulations and is stated to be in compliance with applicable laws. The company has implemented cybersecurity processes and does not report material cybersecurity incidents to date. Debt facilities include operating and financial covenants; company reports compliance as of December 27, 2025.

Criticisms on file

No material criticisms on file for this pillar.

Disclosed initiatives

Cybersecurity and Data Protection

Company has implemented security assessments, physical access restrictions, internal and external penetration testing, endpoint detection and response, and employee security awareness programs. Third-party assistance engaged as needed. Audit Committee provides oversight of cybersecurity risk management.

Intended to protect company, franchisee, and customer data; no material incidents reported to date.
Risk Management and Internal Controls

Board provides oversight of risk management. Company assessed and attested to effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting under Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404(b). Company maintains financial covenants with debt facilities.

Supports regulatory compliance and financial integrity; company in compliance with all financial covenants as of December 27, 2025.

These are Missionomics' own editorial scores — directional signals built from disclosed facts under a published method, not certifications or definitive ratings of Winmark Corporation. Coverage and confidence vary by data point, and figures can lag real-world changes. Read the full Methodology for sourcing, scoring, and correction details — or open Winmark Corporation in the app for interactive charts and portfolio building.

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