Publix facts for kids
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Storefront of Publix in Orlando, Florida
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Trade name
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Publix |
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| Private, employee-owned | |
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | September 6, 1930 Winter Haven, Florida, U.S. |
| Founder | George W. Jenkins |
| Headquarters |
Lakeland, Florida, U.S.
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Number of locations
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1,373 |
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Area served
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Key people
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Operating income
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Number of employees
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240,000 (2023) |
Publix Super Markets, Inc., usually called Publix, is a large supermarket chain in the United States. It's special because it's owned by its employees, both current and past, and the family of its founder. Publix started in 1930 in Lakeland, Florida.
Today, Publix stores are found across the Southeastern U.S.. You can find them in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky. Florida has the most stores, with 867 locations. As of March 2024, Publix has 1,373 stores and employs about 250,000 people. Besides stores, Publix also has cooking schools, offices, distribution centers, and factories that make their own dairy, bakery, and deli products. It is the biggest company in the U.S. that is owned by its employees.
Contents
How Publix Started
The Early Years
The founder of Publix was George W. Jenkins. Before starting Publix, he worked at another grocery store called Piggly Wiggly from 1926 to 1930. George Jenkins had many new ideas for the store. But the company leaders didn't listen to him. So, he decided to open his own store where everyone's ideas would be welcome.
He chose the name "Publix" from a movie theater company that was closing down. He liked how the name sounded. On September 6, 1930, Jenkins opened his first Publix Food Store in Winter Haven, Florida. It was a 3,000-square-foot building. By 1934, this store made $120,000 in sales. Even during the Great Depression, his stores did well.
In 1940, Mr. George, as his employees called him, built Florida's first modern supermarket. It had new features like air conditioning, music playing, cold cases for frozen foods, and automatic doors. During World War II, he couldn't build more stores because materials were hard to get. In 1945, he bought 19 other food stores and turned them into Publix Super Markets.
In 1951, Publix moved its main office to Lakeland, Florida. They also built their first large storage building there. By 1956, Publix had sales of $50 million. In 1957, they added full bakeries to their stores.
Growing in Florida
By 1959, Publix was the top supermarket in Central Florida. They started opening stores in South Florida, including Miami. In 1963, they built another distribution center in Miami. By 1970, sales were over $500 million. They reached $1 billion in 1974 when Publix expanded to Jacksonville, Florida.
In 1982, Publix started its own ATM network called Presto!. Soon, every Publix store had an ATM. By 1989, sales were more than $5 billion.
Carol Jenkins Barnett, the founder's daughter, joined the Publix Board of Directors in 1983. She helped the company grow into the largest supermarket chain in Florida. She also helped it expand into five other states.
On October 5, 1995, Publix opened its 500th store in Miami. In 2008, Publix bought 49 stores from Albertsons in Florida. This helped Publix open stores in new areas like Pensacola.
On February 5, 2009, Publix opened its 1,000th store in St. Augustine, Florida. This store was designed to save energy. It had motion sensor lights and a special lighting system.
Expanding Across the Southeast
The first Publix store outside Florida opened in Savannah, Georgia, in 1991. Then, they built distribution and manufacturing centers near Atlanta in 1993. Publix continued to grow into South Carolina (1993), Alabama (1996), Tennessee (2002), North Carolina (2014), Virginia (2017), and Kentucky (2024).
In 2011, Publix announced plans to open stores in North Carolina. The first store in North Carolina opened in 2014. Publix also bought some stores from another chain called BI-LO in the Charlotte area.
In 2016, Publix announced it would open stores in Virginia. They also bought 10 stores from Martin's Food Markets in the Richmond area.
In April 2016, Ed Crenshaw, the founder's grandson, retired as CEO. Todd Jones, who started as a bagger at Publix 36 years earlier, became the new CEO. He is the first CEO who is not a member of the Jenkins family. Ed Crenshaw stayed on as chairman of the board.
Growing into Kentucky
On September 7, 2021, Publix announced its first store in Kentucky. It opened on January 10, 2024, in Louisville. This location also has the first Publix Liquors store outside Florida. Publix plans to open more stores in Louisville and Lexington in the coming years.
What You Find at Publix Stores
Each Publix store has many departments. These include grocery, deli, bakery, produce, floral, meat, and seafood. Some stores also have valet parking, cafes, sushi bars, pharmacies, or liquor stores. The submarine sandwiches from the Publix deli are very popular and are often called "Pub subs."
The customer service counter offers services like check cashing, money orders, and lottery tickets. Publix used to offer photo printing, but they no longer do.
Aprons Cooking Schools
Publix has cooking schools called Aprons. They offer cooking shows where customers can try different dishes. Customers can also get recipe cards to make the meals at home. Most Aprons cooking schools closed between 2021 and 2023.
Publix also tried a "make-ahead meals" concept called Aprons in 2005. Customers could buy meals to put together at home or have an employee do it for them. These stores closed in 2009 because not enough customers were interested.
Publix GreenWise Market
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In 2007, Publix started a new type of store called GreenWise Market. These stores focus on healthy and organic products. Products under the GreenWise brand do not have added dyes, flavors, or hormones. They are also often organic. These stores are similar to Whole Foods Market. They also have salad bars and hot food bars.
The first GreenWise Market opened in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, in 2007. From 2008 to 2016, Publix added GreenWise sections inside regular Publix stores instead of building separate ones.
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In 2017, Publix decided to build standalone GreenWise stores again. However, in May 2023, Publix announced that they would stop using the GreenWise Market name for new stores.
Publix Sabor
Publix used to have seven stores called "Publix Sabor." Sabor means "flavor" in Spanish. These stores were designed for Latino customers in South Florida and offered products from Latin America. They had employees who spoke both English and Spanish, cafes, and more prepared foods with Hispanic flavors. These stores have since been closed or changed into regular Publix stores.
Publix Pharmacy
The first Publix in-store pharmacy opened in 1986. Today, about 90% of Publix stores have a pharmacy. Publix Pharmacies are known for their great customer service.
Free Medications
Since 2007, Publix has offered some common antibiotics for free to customers with a prescription. These include Amoxicillin and Penicillin VK. Customers can get up to a two-week supply.
In 2010, Publix started offering free Metformin for people with Type II Diabetes. In 2011, they added free Lisinopril for high blood pressure. In 2014, they added free Amlodipine for high blood pressure and chest pain. These free medications help many people save money on important medicines.
Telehealth Services
In 2017, Publix partnered with BayCare Health System to offer telehealth services in some pharmacies in Florida. Patients can talk to a doctor through video calls in a private room. They can also use tools to help the doctor check their health. Doctors can then write prescriptions for minor illnesses.
Online Shopping and Delivery
PublixDirect
In 2001, Publix tried an online shopping service called PublixDirect. It delivered groceries directly to customers' homes. This service was only available in South Florida and closed in 2003 because not enough people used it.
Publix Curbside
Publix tried online shopping again in 2010 with Publix Curbside. Customers could order groceries online and then pick them up at the store. An employee would bring the groceries to their car. This program also ended in 2012.
Later, Publix brought back curbside pickup using their delivery partner, Instacart. This service started in 2017 and has expanded to many locations.
Instacart Delivery
In 2016, Publix started a partnership with Instacart to offer online shopping and home delivery. Customers can order groceries online, and an Instacart shopper will pick them up and deliver them. This service is now available from most Publix stores. Some items, like tobacco or gift cards, cannot be delivered. Beer and wine can be delivered in Florida and North Carolina.
Other Store Concepts
Food World
In the 1970s, Publix opened stores called Food World. These stores offered lower prices to compete with other grocery stores. The largest Food World store opened in 1977 and was the first Publix store to use barcode scanners. The Food World brand was stopped in 1985 because the stores were not making enough profit.
Publix PIX
From 2001 to 2014, Publix had 14 gasoline and convenience stores called PIX. These were in Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. Publix sold these stores in 2014 and stopped the PIX concept.
Crispers Restaurants
In 2002, Publix invested in a restaurant chain called Crispers, which focused on healthy food. Publix fully bought Crispers in 2007. However, in 2011, Publix sold the Crispers chain because the restaurants were not doing well.
Publix Liquors
Publix started selling liquor in separate stores next to its supermarkets in 2003. These liquor stores have been successful. The first Publix Liquors store outside Florida opened in Kentucky in 2024.
DVD Rental Kiosks
Publix used to have DVD rental kiosks in its stores. They first partnered with The New Release in 2005, then with Blockbuster Express in 2009. By 2012, most of these kiosks were replaced with Redbox machines.
Starbucks
In December 2016, Publix opened its first in-store Starbucks coffee shop in Orlando. More Starbucks locations opened in Publix stores in 2017.
Presto! ATM Network
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| Operating area | Southeastern United States |
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| Members | 2,433 (2016) |
| ATMs | 1,120 |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Website | http://www.publix.com/presto |
Presto! is an ATM network owned by Publix. There are over 1,100 Presto! ATMs in Publix stores across Florida, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. You can use debit, credit, and EBT cards to make purchases at any Publix store through this network.
Working at Publix
Publix was founded in 1930 and has never had to lay off employees. This means they have never had to fire a large number of workers because of money problems.
In 1997, Publix settled a lawsuit related to fair treatment for employees. The company agreed to make changes to ensure all employees were treated fairly in job assignments, promotions, and work hours.
Publix offers health coverage to legally married same-sex couples since 2015.
Publix and Politics
Publix sometimes donates money to political campaigns through its Political Action Committee (PAC). This is a common way for companies to support politicians who they believe will make decisions that help their business.
For example, Publix has donated to the PAC supporting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Both the Governor and Publix have said that these donations are not connected to Publix's role in distributing COVID-19 vaccines in Florida. Publix helped distribute vaccines to seniors in their stores.
Publix Stock
Publix stock is privately owned. This means it is not traded on a public stock exchange like the New York Stock Exchange. Only current or past employees and members of the Jenkins family can buy Publix stock. If an employee wants to sell their stock, they must offer it back to Publix first.
Stock was first offered to employees in 1959 at $10.00 per share. Employees can get stock through special plans like the ESOP "PROFIT" plan and the 401(k) "SMART" plan. As of May 1, 2024, Publix stock is valued at $16.25 per share after a stock split in 2022.
Where Publix Stores Are Located
| State | Supermarkets as of March 24, 2024 (including other categories) |
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| Florida | 867 |
| Georgia | 212 |
| Alabama | 90 |
| South Carolina | 69 |
| Tennessee | 58 |
| North Carolina | 54 |
| Virginia | 20 |
| Kentucky | 1 |
| Total | 1,371 |
Distribution Centers
Publix has large warehouses called distribution centers where products are stored and sent to stores. These are located in:
- Alabama: McCalla (for non-perishable items)
- Florida: Boynton Beach, Deerfield Beach, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Miami, Orlando, Sarasota
- Georgia: Dacula
- North Carolina: Greensboro
Manufacturing Facilities
Publix also has factories that make its own products like bakery items, dairy, and fresh foods. These are located in:
- Florida: Deerfield Beach, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Orlando
- Georgia: Dacula, Atlanta
Support Offices
Publix has offices for its corporate and support teams in:
- Florida: Lakeland (main corporate offices, IT, customer care), Jacksonville, Miami
- Georgia: Marietta, Alpharetta (IT data center)
- North Carolina: Charlotte
See also
In Spanish: Publix para niños
- Carol Jenkins Barnett
- Howard Jenkins
