Track
Big companies
How famous companies really make money. Every number comes from annual reports and other public sources, with the year it covers.
On the map, they're the landmarks around the edge of town.
Open now
McDonald's
Open nowBurgers, yes. But most of its restaurants are run by franchise owners, who pay it rent and fees.
Airlines
Open nowHuge fixed costs and prices that change by the day. Why every empty seat hurts.
Costco
Open nowFrom its 2026 annual report · 9 min
A warehouse store with low prices and thin markups. So where does the profit come from?
How Costco makes money
Coming soon
Banks
Coming soonHow lending other people's money turns into a business.
- How banks make moneycoming soon
Starbucks
Coming soonCoffee on a lot of corners, and customers who put money on the app before they buy.
- How Starbucks makes moneycoming soon
Amazon
Coming soonAn online store, a delivery network and a cloud computing business under one roof.
- How Amazon makes moneycoming soon
Uber
Coming soonA marketplace: it doesn't own the cars. It connects riders and drivers and takes a fee.
- How Uber makes moneycoming soon
Google
Coming soonSearch is free to use. So who pays? Advertisers.
- How Google makes moneycoming soon
Insurance
Coming soonA business where risk is the product.
- How insurance workscoming soon
Netflix
Coming soonSubscriptions, and paying for shows long before anyone watches them.
- How Netflix makes moneycoming soon
Company names are lesson topics, not partnerships.