Pros
Privately owned. Significant employee stock ownership as employees are encouraged to buy stock and can receive stock bonuses. Publix employees are not going to retire on their hourly wages but if they fully participate in the stock program over a career they are like to enjoy a great retirement and financial security. Also, full-time employees generally participate in a profit sharing bonus plan. Publix is generally a really friendly work environment.
Cons
The key to success in Publix is going full-time on a management track. But it can be very difficult to go full-time. Therefore many employees stay part-time forever as a result. Scheduling of part-time employees is chaotic and unpredictable. Requesting an hour off for an early doctors appointment frequently means you will not be scheduled for that whole day. Full-time employees, especially in the deli, rarely get a weekend or holiday off. Don't be late or call off it will affect your scheduled hours and future within the company. Finally, raises, promotions and opportunities to move into management are not always as objective as the company states. Some overly "friendly" new hires, who catch a manager's eye, can be fast-tracked into management training within a pay period or two. If you quit and come back, you lose your seniority and will have to accumulate hours toward insurance and other benefits as if you were a new hire.