FOOD NEWS
Facts About Publix You Should Know
BY Elettra Pauletto
The First Publix
The Publix brand had been in operation since the 1930s, but it wasn't until 1940 that owner George Jenkins closed his little food shops and opened a supermarket.
The first Publix was located in Winter Haven, Florida, where Jenkins had once operated two smaller Publix shops. In 1945, he started turning more grocery stores into supermarkets.
Fully Air Conditioned
The first Publix location in Winter Haven, Florida, was the first grocery store in America to install a cooling appliance that could cool the entire store.
Complimenting Staff
If a customer compliments a Publix employee, ensuring their manager hears it or giving the remark directly to the supervisor, they get a free sub from the deli.
Note that managers likely have a limited number of free sub coupons to give out on any given day, so don't expect to be able to feed a Publix employee for every meal.
Cooking Tricks
Some Publix locations come equipped with a little kiosk known as the Apron Cooking School, where you can check out different recipe cards each day.
You'll also get tips on following those recipes. If your timing is right, you may even waddle by on a day when someone is there to show you the proper cooking method for a recipe.
No Layoffs
Publix claims it has never had a layoff in its over 80-year history, meaning it has never let an employee go because of a slow-down in work or ability to pay.
However, Publix can fire anyone at any time. According to some, even if Publix doesn't fire or lay you off, it can dock hours until working there becomes financially impossible.