History of Publix in Timeline

Publix Super Markets, Inc., an employee-owned American supermarket chain, was founded in 1930 by George W. Jenkins and is headquartered in Lakeland, Florida. The private corporation is owned by current and former employees and the Jenkins family. Publix operates stores across the Southeastern United States, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky. Kentucky is the most recent expansion, with the first store opening in Louisville on January 10, 2024.

1926: George Jenkins works at Piggly Wiggly

In 1926, George Jenkins began working as a stock clerk and manager at Piggly Wiggly.

September 6, 1930: First Publix Food Store Opens

On September 6, 1930, George Jenkins opened the first Publix Food Store in Winter Haven, Florida. The store was a 3,000-square-foot building located at 58 Northwest 4th Street.

1930: Jenkins leaves Piggly Wiggly

In 1930, George Jenkins left Piggly Wiggly due to his ideas being rejected. He then aspired to create a new store, where all ideas from associates and others were welcome.

1930: Publix Founded

In 1930, George W. Jenkins founded Publix Super Markets, Inc. in Lakeland, Florida. Publix is a private corporation wholly owned by present and past employees and the Jenkins family.

1934: First Publix makes $120,000 in sales

In 1934, the first Publix store generated $120,000 in sales, indicating early financial success.

1935: Second Economy Food Store Opens

In 1935, George Jenkins opened a second market, the Economy Food Store, also in Winter Haven, Florida. This expansion demonstrated his growing success despite the Great Depression.

November 8, 1940: Publix Opens First Supermarket

On November 8, 1940, George Jenkins opened Florida's first supermarket, referred to as a "food palace", at 199 West Central Avenue. It featured amenities like piped-in music, air conditioning, cold cases, in-store doughnut and flower shops, and electric-eye automatic doors.

1945: Publix Purchases All American Chain

In 1945, George Jenkins purchased the 19-store All American chain of food stores and converted them into Publix Super Markets, significantly expanding the company's reach.

1951: Publix Moves Headquarters to Lakeland

In 1951, Publix moved its headquarters from Winter Haven to Lakeland, Florida, and built its first distribution warehouse, occupying a 70,000-square-foot area. Simultaneously, the company began replacing the All American stores with Publix markets.

1956: Publix Achieves $50 Million in Sales

In 1956, Publix reached $50 million in sales and $1 million in profit, marking a significant financial milestone.

1957: Donut Shop Expanded into Full-Service Bakery

In 1957, Publix expanded the donut shop in each store into a full-service bakery, enhancing its offerings.

1959: Publix Dominates Central Florida

By 1959, Publix had become the dominant supermarket chain in Central Florida. The company began expanding to South Florida, opening a store in Miami and acquiring six stores from Grand Union.

1959: Stock available to associates

In 1959, Publix stock was made available to associates, originally priced at $10.00 per share.

1963: Distribution Center Built in Miami

In 1963, Publix built a distribution center in Miami and began providing deli services, further expanding its operations and offerings.

1970: Publix Sales Surpass $500 Million

In 1970, Publix sales surpassed $500 million, marking a significant financial milestone for the company.

1974: Publix Sales Reach $1 Billion

In 1974, Publix sales reached $1 billion. The chain expanded to include Jacksonville, Florida.

1982: Presto! ATM network launched

In 1982, Publix launched the Presto! ATM network, installing ATMs in every Publix store to enhance customer convenience.

1983: Carol Jenkins Barnett joins Publix Board

In 1983, Carol Jenkins Barnett joined the Publix Board of Directors, serving in that role until 2016, contributing to the company's growth.

1989: Sales Exceed $5 Billion

In 1989, Publix sales exceeded $5 billion, marking significant financial growth for the company.

1991: Publix opens first store outside of Florida

In 1991, Publix opened its first store outside Florida in Savannah, Georgia, marking the beginning of its expansion beyond its home state.

1993: Publix enters metro Atlanta

In 1993, Publix entered the metro Atlanta area, with distribution and manufacturing facilities soon following in Dacula, Georgia.

October 5, 1995: Publix Opens 500th Store

On October 5, 1995, Publix opened its 500th store in Miami, Florida, marking a significant milestone in the company's growth.

1996: Publix expands into Alabama

In 1996, Publix expanded its operations into the state of Alabama, continuing its growth throughout the Southeastern United States.

2001: Lawsuit lost

In 2001, Publix lost a lawsuit filed by an owner whose property had been contaminated.

2002: Publix expands into Tennessee

In 2002, Publix continued its expansion by opening stores in Tennessee, furthering its reach in the Southeast.

2003: Supported bill on land pollution lawsuits

In 2003, Publix supported a successful bill that prevents owners from suing if their land is polluted by dry cleaning chemicals dumped on an adjacent property, if the adjacent property owners are on a state clean-up list.

2004: Wal-Mart won similar lawsuit

In 2004, Wal-Mart won a similar lawsuit against Visa.

October 4, 2005: Publix Sues Visa and MasterCard

On October 4, 2005, Publix sued Visa and MasterCard, citing unfair business practices over their unannounced and non-negotiable increases in merchant account fees.

December 2005: Publix discontinues photo processing service

In December 2005, Publix discontinued its photo processing service, replacing it with an online or mail-order service via the Snapfish program. The agreement with Snapfish was later terminated, and Publix no longer offers photo services.

2005: Publix introduces Aprons make-ahead meals concept

In 2005, Publix introduced its Aprons make-ahead meals concept, allowing customers to purchase meals for in-store assembly or have them prepared by an Aprons associate. The initial locations were standalone stores in Jacksonville and Lithia, Florida.

June 9, 2008: Publix Announces Purchase of Albertsons Stores

On June 9, 2008, Publix announced the purchase of 49 Florida stores from Albertsons, including locations in North, Central, and South Florida.

September 9, 2008: Publix Completes Albertsons Stores Purchase

On September 9, 2008, Publix completed its acquisition of 49 Florida stores from Albertsons, allowing Publix to operate four stores in Escambia County, Florida.

February 5, 2009: Publix Opens 1,000th Store

On February 5, 2009, Publix opened its 1,000th store in St. Augustine, Florida, becoming one of only five U.S. grocery retailers to reach this milestone. This store features energy-efficient designs, including motion sensor lights and a controllable overhead light system.

2009: Publix closes Aprons make-ahead meals locations

In the summer of 2009, Publix closed both of its Aprons make-ahead meals locations in Jacksonville and Lithia, Florida, due to a lack of customer interest.

2011: Publix announces expansion into North Carolina

In 2011, Publix announced it was expanding into North Carolina, initially targeting the Charlotte metropolitan area, and later announced plans for a new store in Asheville.

2012: First Charlotte-area Publix store opens

In 2012, the first Charlotte-area Publix store opened on the South Carolina side of the metropolitan area, marking an initial step in Publix's expansion into the region.

2014: Publix expands into North Carolina

In 2014, Publix expanded into North Carolina, continuing its growth throughout the Southeastern United States.

2014: Fined for discrimination

In 2014, Publix was fined by the Board of Human Rights of Broward County, Florida for discrimination involved in the termination of an LGBT employee. However, upon appeal, the 17th Circuit Court found that the decision was not supported by substantial evidence and quashed the order.

2014: First North Carolina Publix store opens

In 2014, the first North Carolina Publix store opened in Ballantyne, further solidifying the company's presence in the state.

November 20, 2015: Publix purchases property in Boone, NC

On November 20, 2015, Publix completed the purchase of property in Boone, North Carolina, with plans to open a store in 2017.

February 2016: Publix announces entry into Virginia market

In February 2016, Publix announced its entry into the Virginia market, with the signing of two store leases, the first in Bristol scheduled to open in 2017 and the second in metropolitan Richmond scheduled for 2018.

April 2016: Ed Crenshaw retires as CEO

In April 2016, Ed Crenshaw, grandson of founder George Jenkins, retired from his position as CEO of Publix. Todd Jones, a 36-year Publix employee, assumed the responsibilities of CEO, becoming the first non-Jenkins family member to hold the position, while Crenshaw remained chairman of the board of directors.

July 2016: Publix enters purchase agreement with Ahold Delhaize

In July 2016, Publix entered into a purchase agreement with Ahold Delhaize for 10 Martin's Food Markets locations in the Richmond market as part of the divestiture of stores to gain clearance from the Federal Trade Commission for the impending Ahold/Delhaize merger.

2016: Carol Jenkins Barnett leaves Publix Board

In 2016, Carol Jenkins Barnett left her role on the Publix Board of Directors after serving since 1983, during which the company expanded significantly.

2017: Publix expands into Virginia

In 2017, Publix expanded its operations into Virginia, marking a further extension of its market presence in the Southeastern United States.

2017: Publix plans to open store in Bristol, Virginia

In 2017, Publix planned to open its first store in Bristol, Virginia, after announcing their entry into the Virginia market in February 2016.

2017: Publix plans to open Boone, NC store

Publix planned to open a store in Boone, North Carolina in 2017, after purchasing property in the area on November 20, 2015.

2018: Publix plans to open store in Richmond, Virginia

In 2018, Publix planned to open its second store in metropolitan Richmond, Virginia, after announcing their entry into the Virginia market in February 2016.

November 2019: Stock no longer listed on the OTC

As of November 2019, Publix stock is no longer listed on the OTC (Over-the-Counter) market.

January 2020: Publix responds to COVID-19 pandemic

Beginning in late January 2020, Publix started working with federal and state agencies and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

July 21, 2020: Face masks required in Publix facilities

As of July 21, 2020, face masks were required for all customers in all Publix facilities to combat the spread of COVID-19.

December 2020: Publix Donation to Ron DeSantis's PAC

In December 2020, Publix donated $100,000 to Florida governor Ron DeSantis's PAC, leading to speculation about a connection to Publix's partnership with the state for COVID-19 vaccine distribution, a claim both parties denied.

January 2021: Publix starts administering COVID-19 vaccines

In early January 2021, Publix started to administer COVID-19 vaccines in a 22-store pilot program in Florida, focusing on long-term care residents and staff, seniors, and health-care personnel. Publix faced criticism over its involvement in vaccine distribution in Florida.

April 2021: DeSantis comments on Publix vaccine distribution

In April 2021, during an interview with 60 Minutes, Governor DeSantis stated that Publix was the first to volunteer for retail vaccine distribution in Florida and that 90% of the state's senior population lived near a Publix location. Controversy arose regarding alleged editing of the interview.

September 7, 2021: Publix announces first Kentucky location

On September 7, 2021, Publix announced its first Kentucky location, initially expected to open in late 2023 in northeast Louisville near the intersection of the Gene Snyder Freeway and Old Henry Road. The first Publix Liquors location outside Florida is adjacent to this supermarket.

2021: Listed on Fortune 500 list

In 2021, Publix was listed on the Fortune 500 list at #69.

April 1, 2022: 5/1 stock split

On April 1, 2022, Publix stock had a 5/1 stock split.

June 23, 2022: Ground broken for Old Henry Road store

On June 23, 2022, ground was broken for the Old Henry Road store, and the company announced a lease for a future store in Lexington at a development on the corner of Harrodsburg Road and Man o' War Boulevard. The Lexington store is planned to open in late 2024.

December 2022: Third Louisville location announced

In December 2022, a third Louisville location was announced on Shelbyville Road outside the Snyder Freeway in the far-eastern Eastwood area. This location is expected to open in the first half of 2024 and will also include an adjacent Publix Liquors store.

2023: Cooking School locations were permanently closed

By mid-2023, all Publix Cooking School locations were permanently closed.

2023: Publix plans to open first Kentucky location

In late 2023, Publix initially planned to open its first Kentucky location in northeast Louisville near the intersection of the Gene Snyder Freeway and Old Henry Road.

January 10, 2024: Publix opens first Kentucky store

On January 10, 2024, Publix opened its first store in Kentucky, located in Louisville, marking the most recent expansion of the company's footprint.

September 2024: Publix Cooking School Online videos accessible on YouTube

As of September 2024, Publix Cooking School Online videos remained accessible on YouTube, despite the closure of physical cooking school locations in mid-2023.

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2024: Publix expands into Kentucky

In 2024, Publix expanded into Kentucky, continuing its growth throughout the United States.

March 1, 2025: Publix stock valued at $19.20 per share

On March 1, 2025, Publix stock was valued at $19.20 per share after a 5/1 stock split on April 1, 2022.

March 2025: Publix employs 255,000 people

As of March 2025, Publix employs approximately 255,000 individuals across its various retail locations, cooking schools, corporate offices, distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities.