Winn-Dixie, which calls itself a “hometown grocer,” is all in on Florida now.
The Jacksonville-based supermarket chain agreed to sell its remaining five Winn-Dixie stores in South Georgia to Food Lion, part of the Netherlands-based food retail group Ahold Delhaize’s USA division.
Founded in 1925, the Jacksonville chain emerged after more than 100 years of growth, sales, mergers and restructurings to become The Winn-Dixie Company LLC this year and has grouped its stores under that banner.
In 1955, the Winn & Lovett grocery changed its name to Winn-Dixie Stores Inc.
Winn-Dixie
Hitting a peak in 2001 of 1,153 stores in five Southern states and the Bahamas, Winn-Dixie said it now expects to operate more than 120 Winn-Dixie grocery stores in Florida, as well as more than 100 liquor stores.
Winn-Dixie issued a news release Nov. 6 followed by one Nov. 9 by Food Lion to outline the deal.
The five South Georgia stores are in Brunswick, Folkston, Lake Park, St. Simons Island and Valdosta. Food Lion said the supermarkets will remain open under the Winn-Dixie brand until the transaction is complete.
Food Lion said it will convert and reopen the stores in mid-December.
Winn-Dixie President and CEO Raymond Rhee said in the Nov. 6 news release that “Florida has been our home, and our commitment to the communities that have shaped our story remains strong.”
Raymond Rhee
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In 2023, Winn-Dixie, when operating as Southeastern Grocers, sold 400 stores to German discount grocer Aldi. The next year, a consortium bought back SEG, including 170 supermarkets.
That deal boosted Aldi’s presence throughout Florida as it converted the Winn-Dixie and sister brand Harveys Supermarkets stores to its brand.
In October 2025, Southeastern Grocers announced it was shedding most of its remaining stores outside Florida to focus on its home state, keeping only the South Georgia stores until now.
Winn-Dixie then expanded its name, converting three former Hitchcock’s Markets it bought in 2025 in Alachua, Keystone Heights and Williston.
Winn-Dixie said in the news release that it intends to open new stores in Eustis and Zephyrhills in 2027 and to look for more expansion opportunities.
“We’ve made tremendous progress this year, from opening new stores and investing in our neighborhoods to bringing our operations together under one iconic brand,” Rhee said.
“We remain committed to building on our legacy, serving more Florida communities and delivering on our promise to be Florida’s hometown grocer,” Rhee said.
The Food Partners, a financial and strategic advisory firm based in Bethesda, Maryland, worked with The Winn-Dixie Company LLC in connection with the sale to Food Lion.
Rhee became CEO in August when C&S Wholesale Grocers LLC announced it intended to become the majority owner of The Winn-Dixie Company LLC in a deal to close in early 2027.
Keene, New Hampshire-based C&S Wholesale was part of a consortium of private investors that bought Winn-Dixie from Aldi U.S. in 2025.
C&S Wholesale said in a news release that until the 2027 transaction closes, Winn-Dixie’s Raymond Rhee will serve as CEO while current chief executive Anthony Hucker will serve as a special adviser.
C&S said plans for Winn-Dixie’s strategic growth are to:
• Refresh the Winn-Dixie brand and customer experience.
• Open new stores and continue its growth momentum.
• Refresh stores and upgrade experiences.
• Offer more customer favorites, including Own Brands.
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