And the top CEOs are….

Executives from retail and restaurant chains grabbed some of the top spots in an annual ranking of the nation’s top CEOs.

Rite Aid chairman and CEO John Standley was rated the number one executive on ExecRank’s 2015 Top Mid Cap CEOs list. Taking the number two spot: Sally J. Smith, CEO and president of Buffalo Wild Wings. Gary Friedman, chairman and CEO of Restoration Hardware Holdings, took the third spot.

"John's done an incredible job and has an ubelievable pedigree across a whole number of positions at Rite Aid," Jonathan Aspatore, CEO ExecRank, told TheStreet in a video interview. "He's been there since 1999, and he's had the role of chief operating officer, chief financial officer, chief administrative officer. That multitude or roles has really helped him excel in bringing the company forward.”



"The earnings per share over the last five years is [up] over 40%, which is incredible for a mature retailer," Aspatore added. "And with the potential acquisition looming from Walgreens, there's a lot of different variables that brings into play. ... We think he's done just an incredible job of managing all of it."



Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, was named the No. 1 CEO among large-cap companies. Also in the top five was Wal-Mart Stores president and CEO Doug McMillon, at No.4.

"As CEO, Doug leads a strong management team that is working to deliver Walmart’s mission of 'saving people money so they can live better,'" ExecRank said in its writeup of McMillon.



ExecRank produces c-suite executive rankings based on statistical and algorithmic analysis of executive performance across 24 key areas, including experience in the executive role; business results during tenure; company earnings per share growth this year; and industry/professional reputation.