A recent news segment covering the grand opening of a Publix grocery store in Walton, Kentucky, took an unexpected turn thanks to a cheeky prankster.
During the coverage, an enthusiastic customer, who claimed to have arrived at 4 a.m. for one of Publix’s famous deli sandwiches, gave a rather unexpected name when interviewed.
The Prank that Went Unnoticed
The man, who introduced himself as “Jack Mehof,” didn’t fool anyone who caught the innuendo right away.
The name is a clever play on words, sounding like “Jack Me off,” which is definitely not the kind of name you’d expect to make it onto a local broadcast.
Somehow, though, the joke flew under the radar of the editing team and aired on TV.
In the interview, “Mister Mehof” shared his love for Publix, explaining, “I’m a Florida resident, so I know Publix.” He continued, “Nothing compares to the Publix subs.
I brought my friend out this morning, he hasn’t been to a Publix before.”
The Moment Goes Viral
As soon as the segment aired, eagle-eyed viewers caught the obvious sexual innuendo.
The clip quickly spread across social media, especially on X (formerly Twitter), with people laughing and calling out the editors for missing such an obvious joke.
One user couldn’t help but applaud the prank, writing “Brilliant.”
Others were left wondering how it slipped past the editors, with one comment reading, “How in the world did this get by the editors?”
Publix’s Expanding Popularity
While the prank certainly stole the spotlight, the Publix opening was part of the grocery chain’s larger push to expand beyond its Florida base.
Publix, which was founded in 1930 and is headquartered in Florida, has long been a favorite in the Southeast, particularly known for its deli sandwiches, or “pub subs.”
With its growing following, Publix has even earned a place in online culture, inspiring a dedicated subreddit where fans rave about their favorite sandwiches.
One Florida shopper posted, “The best part of Florida is the chicken tender pub sub.”
A Grocery Giant in the Making
Publix’s reputation has grown so strong that it recently topped a survey on grocery customer satisfaction, beating out major competitors like Meijer, BJ’s Wholesale, and Kroger.
The company, which has nearly 1,400 locations, is now expanding northward, with stores opening in Virginia and Kentucky, signaling that this beloved regional chain is quickly becoming a national name.
Though the prank may have been the highlight of the news segment, Publix’s continued expansion and dedication to customer satisfaction are making it a staple in grocery shopping across the Southeast.