[1] As of the same date, Publix employs about 255,000 people[8] at its retail locations, cooking schools, corporate offices, nine grocery distribution centers, and eleven manufacturing facilities.

"[12] Jenkins opened the first Publix Food Store in Winter Haven, Florida, on September 6, 1930, a 3,000-square-foot building located at 58 Northwest 4th Street.

On November 8, 1940,[13] his "food palace" opened at 199 West Central Avenue,[15] having piped-in music, air conditioning, cold cases for frozen and refrigerated items, in-store doughnut and flower shops, and electric-eye automatic doors.

[33] President Todd Jones, a 36-year Publix employee whose first job was as a front service clerk (bagger), took on Crenshaw's responsibilities as CEO.

[35] 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.

[39] A third Louisville location, on Shelbyville Road outside the Snyder Freeway in the far-eastern Eastwood area, was announced in December 2022 and is expected to open in the first half of 2024.

[41][42] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Publix started working with the federal and state agencies and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) beginning in late January 2020.

The chain closed food demonstrations, and increased sanitation and routine cleaning,[43] as well as installing plexiglas partitions at registers and customer service desks.

[45] During the pandemic, Publix said it would purchase milk and fresh produce from farmers and dairies in Florida who faced reduced demand as a result of school and restaurant closures.

[46] Publix started to administer COVID-19 vaccines in early January 2021, with a 22-store pilot in the state of Florida with a focus on long-term care residents and staff, seniors, and health-care personnel.

[48][51] The Democratic Party mayor of Palm Beach County Dave Kerner stated, "The reporting was not just based on bad information — it was intentionally false.

"[52] Each store provides products and services in its grocery, deli, bakery, produce, floral, meat, and seafood departments.

Aprons served as Publix's in-house recipe brand, often promoting "simple meals" for customers to make at home.

In 2017, the company announced they would resume building standalone GreenWise locations, the first of which will be near the campus of Florida State University in Tallahassee, opening in 2018.

The Little Clinic health-care centers were staffed by nurse practitioners who can write prescriptions, provide diagnosis and treatment of common ailments and minor injuries, and offer wellness care like physicals, screenings, and vaccinations.

[73] Publix and BayCare Health System announced a collaboration to provide telehealth and telemedicine services at specialized pharmacies in four Tampa Bay-area counties in March 2017.

[76] In October 2001, Publix launched its first online shopping site called PublixDirect that would deliver groceries directly to the customer.

Customers had the ability to browse and purchase groceries online, then drive to a participating location where an associate will have selected their items and would bring them out to the buyer's vehicle.

[81] The company later resurrected its curbside concept, this time using its delivery partner, Instacart, to manage the online ordering portion of the service.

[82] In July 2016, Publix announced another pilot program with Instacart to offer online shopping and delivery services in the greater Miami area.

[citation needed] As of February 2017, Instacart deliveries from Publix are available in the metro areas of Atlanta, Charlotte, Fort Lauderdale,[84] Miami, Orlando, Raleigh, Richmond, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Nashville, as determined by ZIP code.

[85] Later in 2017, Publix announced its intent to expand its delivery program, and expects to have the service available from more than 90 percent of stores by the end of the year.

[91] The liquor store is in an area accessed via a separate entrance as required by local laws, modeled after many other grocery chains.

"[104] Publix announced that effective January 1, 2015, health coverage would be available to same-sex couples regardless of place of marriage, as long as they are legally married.

According to the Miami New Times, Publix's recent political leanings favor conservative causes, such as opposing the legalization of medical marijuana and the regulation of polystyrene, better known by the brand name Styrofoam.

[107] Following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, contributions to other conservative leaders—specifically Adam Putnam—resulted in local protests in the Miami Area.

Publix was able to distribute vaccines to seniors in their markets, while national providers like Walgreens and CVS focused on broader efforts.

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

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.

[121] Upon appeal, the 17th Circuit Court found that the decision by the Board of Human Rights of Broward County was "not supported by competent, substantial evidence" and quashed the order.