<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 and members of the Jenkins family . Publix operates throughout the Southeastern United States, with locations in Florida (787), Georgia (186), Alabama (69), South Carolina (58), Tennessee (42), North Carolina (38), and Virginia (8). </P> <P> Publix stands as one of the largest U.S. regional grocery chains . Locations are found as far north as Spotsylvania, Virginia, 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 787, about two - thirds of the outlets . As of August 2018, Publix employs about 193,000 people at its 1,231 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> <P> Publix is ranked No. 47 on Fortune magazine's list of 100 Best Companies to Work For 2018, down from No. 21 in 2017, and was ranked No. 7 on Forbes' 2017 list of America's Largest Private Companies and is the largest in Florida . Fortune ranked Publix #1 on their 2018 list of World's Most Admired Companies in the Food & Drug Stores sector . The company's 2017 sales totaled US $34.6 billion, with profits of $2.3 billion, ranking No. 88 on Fortune magazine's Fortune 500 list of U.S. companies for 2017 . According to the National Retail Federation, based on 2016 revenue, Publix is the fifteenth - largest U.S. retailer . Publix stock is only available for purchase by eligible active employees and non-employee members of its Board of Directors . </P>

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