Publix is one of the largest grocery store operators in the U.S. It also routinely rates highly with customers as one of the best grocery stores.
The company's ownership culture has much to do with its high customer ratings. Publix is an employee-owned company. George Jenkins founded Publix in 1930 and wanted its employees to share in owning the company because he believed they'd take better care of it and its customers.
That vision has served Publix well over the years. The company has steadily grown value for its employee-owners as they have helped increase its sales and profits.
The company's success in growing shareholder value has many outside investors hoping it will eventually complete an initial public offering (IPO) so they can buy shares. Here's a look at everything you need to know about how to invest in Publix if it goes public and alternative ways to invest in stocks similar to Publix.
IPO
Is Publix publicly traded?
Publix is not a publicly traded company. It's privately owned by the founder's family and past and present employees. Publix created an employee stock purchase plan in 1959 so that employees could buy shares, and it has since remained private.
When will Publix IPO?
Publix didn't have an IPO on the calendar as of late 2025. The grocery store operator likely won't go public soon, if ever. The employees would have to decide collectively to take the company public, which would likely significantly affect Publix's culture.
Jenkins believed that if employees owned the company, they'd take better care of it and work hard to improve it every day. However, if outside shareholders owned the company, their focus would likely be on maximizing profitability, potentially at employees' expense.
Is Publix profitable?
Although Publix is a private company, it files quarterly financial results with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The reports show that Publix is solidly profitable.
Publix reported its second-quarter 2025 results in June 2025. The company generated $15.7 billion of revenue during that period, up 4.9% from the prior year. Meanwhile, revenue for the first nine months of the year was $44.4 billion, up about 7% from the year-ago period. The company reported $1.38 billion of net income during the period, or $0.42 per share, a 29.3% increase.
Publix's profitability enables it to retain earnings to fund its expansion internally, allowing it to remain private. The company also returns some of its profits to shareholders each quarter by paying dividends. The company's current dividend rate is $0.1105 per share each quarter.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
ETFs with exposure to Publix
Many investors prefer to invest passively instead of actively managing a portfolio of stocks. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a great way to be a passive investor.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF)
The bottom line on Publix
Publix has had a lot of success as a private, employee-owned company. It has steadily increased its profits and share price by reinvesting its retained earnings into expanding its footprint.
Given its success, the company will likely maintain the status quo. Although that means public market investors probably won't ever get the chance to own shares, it can continue to grow value for its employees by sticking with its successful strategy.
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