By Morgan - January 1, 2026

​​Celebrating our 95 years of success​

We own it

Managers recently gathered in central Florida for our annual Retail Operations Conference (ROC), where they celebrated our 95th anniversary, reviewed company accomplishments and planned the year ahead.

CEO Kevin Murphy reflected on nearly a century of proud company ownership, premier customer service and high-quality products.

“Publix’s legacy is a testament to 95 years of excellence, built by our collective efforts and each individual’s contributions and decisions,” Kevin said.

He highlighted several pivotal moments in our company’s history, such as opening the 1st Publix Food Store and expanding throughout Florida and beyond.

None of these events would have happened without Mr. George, and Kevin talked about the importance of continuing Publix’s legacy.

“It’s up to us to own the legacy — to uphold the high standards that define our brand and to work hard every day to ensure Publix remains a great place to work and shop,” Kevin said.

He outlined 4 traits of leaders who own Publix’s legacy.

  • Have a positive mindset. View challenges as chances to solve problems. See obstacles not as setbacks, but as opportunities to improve, innovate and elevate the experience of customers and associates.
  • Focus on learning and training. Staying sharp is how you lead with purpose and consistently deliver on the service and quality standards our customers expect.
  • Be accountable and hold others accountable. Focusing on accountability means having the courage to give honest feedback, address issues directly and follow through on commitments.
  • Champion our culture. Culture isn’t just what we say, it’s what we do. It’s up to us to champion our culture by living up to our values and inspiring others to do the same.

“Every decision we make, every interaction we have and every standard we uphold contributes to a culture that will outlast every one of us,” said Kevin. “That’s the power of owning the legacy. It’s the invisible thread that connects our purpose today to the possibilities of tomorrow.”

“For the past 95 years, we’ve gotten it right,” said Kevin. “Now, it’s up to us to do the same for the next generation of associates.”