The system, operated by the Consumer Ratings Institute, crawls data from Google Business, Yelp, Trustpilot, and TripAdvisor to evaluate a company against a registry of over 826,000 U.S. businesses. Qualification requires a minimum of 10 verified reviews and a 4.4-star average. Unlike conventional award programs that rely on entry fees and judging panels, this model functions as a meritocracy driven entirely by consumer input.

Brad Christian, an owner of BlackOak Mountain Vineyards and a representative for the platform, argues that third-party validation fundamentally shifts consumer behavior. By providing businesses with a digital insignia and a strategy playbook, the service aims to convert existing reputation into tangible marketing assets. While the basic recognition and registry listing are free, the company offers optional paid packages for businesses seeking professional press release distribution and physical trophies. Regardless of whether a business chooses to upgrade, the core qualification remains strictly tied to verified customer performance rather than financial contribution.