<Tr> <Th> Number of employees </Th> <Td> 188,000 (2018) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Website </Th> <Td> www.publix.com </Td> </Tr> <P> Publix Super Markets, Inc., commonly known as Publix, is an employee - owned, American supermarket chain headquartered in Lakeland, Florida . Founded in 1930 by George W. Jenkins, Publix is a private corporation that is wholly owned by present and past employees . It is considered the largest employee - owned company in the world . Publix operates throughout the Southeastern United States, with locations in Florida (785), Georgia (186), Alabama (68), South Carolina (58), Tennessee (42), North Carolina (35), and Virginia (8). </P> <P> Publix stands as one of the largest U.S. regional grocery chains . Locations are found as far north as Virginia, and as far south as Key West, Florida, while the westernmost location is in Mobile, Alabama . Today, the state of Florida still has the largest number of stores, with 785, about two - thirds of the outlets . Publix employs almost 190,000 people at its 1,172 (as of March 2018) retail locations, cooking schools, corporate offices, 9 grocery distribution centers, and 11 manufacturing facilities . The manufacturing facilities produce its dairy, deli, bakery, and other food products . </P>

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