The face of Publix is changing – literally.

The Florida-based grocery chain announced Friday it was changing its policy to allow workers to grow beards and other facial hair. The company has been testing the policy change in select markets and will roll it out chain-wide on Sept. 29.

Spokesman Dwayne Stevens told the Orlando Sentinel the policy will allow male associates to grow facial hair as long as they keep a "neat, clean and professional appearance."

Publix had previously only allowed mustaches.

In March, a group of employees launched a petition on coworker.org calling on the company to change its no-beard policy. The petition garnered more than 20,000 signatures.

The chain operates almost 1,200 stores in seven states, including Alabama.