Publix Super Market Inc., a food and pharmaceutical retailer, is one of the fastest growing employee-owned grocery store chains in the United States United. The privately held company began in 1930 in Winter Haven, Florida, by George W. Jenkins. Since the company's inception, Publix has continued to grow and was ranked 108th on the Fortune 500 list in 2013. Likewise, Publix posted revenue of 27,706.8 million and profit of 1,552.3 million . Publix's current stock price is $30.00 per share and the number of shares of common stock outstanding as of February 5, 2013 was 773,972,000 (Publix.com). The company has stores located in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina, with the majority of stores located in its home state of Florida. In Publix's 83 years of operation, the company has made numerous changes and improvements to help build a good corporate reputation. Publix has been involved in equal opportunity and labor issues, but the company's commitment to the quality of employees, food and service, and their mission have earned the company a good reputation and competitive advantage . How a company treats its employees is vital to its reputation. . Over the years, Publix's relationship with its employees has improved. Publix currently describes relationships with its employees as good. Publix employs approximately 163,000 full- and part-time employees with pay ranging from $8.00 for a cashier to $1.1 million for William E. Crenshaw, CEO. Additionally, employee benefits include employee stock ownership, annual leave bonus, 401(k) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, dental, vision and health services. The highest paid employees are the board of directors, made up of nine people. Three of which are George W. Jenk......middle of paper......if the stores are located in the South, the company is expanding its chain and opening stores in North Carolina in 2014. Publix has used its commitment to employees and consumers to differentiate itself in the food retail market. Its major competitors are CVS, Kroger, Walgreens and Wal-Mart. By remaining committed to its mission and providing quality goods and services to customers, Publix has been able to maintain and build a good corporate reputation. Additionally, the company has impacted the communities where its stores are located by donating food to churches and charities. Publix partners with charities such as Food For All, Untied Way, Special Olympics, March of Dimes and Children's Miracle Network. Thanks to its high-quality goods and services and charitable donations, the company has earned a good reputation, especially in its hometown of Florida..