It’s not uncommon for our customers to wait for us to open in the morning or to share stories with us about how an associate made a difference in their lives. And since we’re all owners, these are a few things that make us really proud.

Company ownership makes working at Publix unique. As company owners, we hold ourselves accountable for Publix’s success by identifying opportunities to reduce waste and looking for new ways to merchandise products. We’re invested in improving our company because we own it — it’s our reputation on the line! And that’s why this point on the mission statement is so important.

So, what does that mean? It means we’re entrusted with making the best decisions for our company — decisions that impact everything from product quality and food safety to company initiatives and customer service. We’re devoted to doing the right thing and making responsible decisions in our jobs every day. And by doing so,we all benefit!

Mr. George said, “Tomorrow, Publix will be a little better, or maybe not quite as good, depending on each one of us.” And that’s what this part of our mission statement is all about. As company owners, our associates take care of Publix like their own, or as CEO Ed Crenshaw says, “We’ve got the secret sauce.”

Making us all company owners was Mr. George’s idea. We’re fortunate to work for a company that was built on a strong foundation with such a rich history.

Keep an eye out for more articles on Publix’s mission statement in Publix News or visit corporate.publix.com > About Publix.