The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) is the fourth largest drugstore chain in North America and the second largest in both the eastern United States and Canada. The company and its combined network of 2,172 corporate and franchised drugstores (under the banners of Brooks and Eckerd Pharmacy, PJC Jean Coutu, PJC Clinique and PJC Santé Beauté) employ more than 60,000 people. The Jean Coutu Group's United States operations employ 46,000 people and comprise 1,851 corporate owned stores located in 18 states of the Northeastern, mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States. The Jean Coutu Group's Canadian operations and franchised drugstores in its network employ over 14,000 people and comprise 321 PJC Jean Coutu franchised stores in Quebec, New Brunswick and Ontario. PJC's Brooks Eckerd integration focused on three principal areas: reduction of support functions and other initiatives; operational improvements; and growth initiatives.