Workers cooperatives have a lot of difficulty growing into a large organizations because they would have to be federated if they did (workers cooperatives as us

Workers cooperatives have a lot of difficulty growing into a large organizations because they would have to be federated if they did (workers cooperatives as usually organized in the US rely on the bonds that can be formed by a small group of member-owners to function effectively). A franchise model can be effective for retail/service coops. Arizmendi/Cheeseboard in the Bay Area is one of the most successful, with 6 locations. Workers' coops also have limited access to capital and business expertise which can make them difficult to get started, but the reason they don't grow large is the reason above. However, it is totally fine for workers coops to remain small businesses for their entire existence, all that would mean for is that we need more of them to be started.