Drawing from the behavioral theory of the firm, we examine the role of a long‐term orientation in decision making at publicly traded, family‐influenced firms (FIFs). We advance a view of the family as part of a firm's dominant coalition and the resulting effects of a family‐influenced coalition on the FIF's decision making. Using a sample of publicly traded firms, our findings indicate that FIFs' decision making reflects a focus on a long‐term orientation, manifested in the greater accumulation of slack resources, less strategic risk taking, and lower bankruptcy risk than non‐FIF firms.