Food Lion to Buy Winn-Dixie’s Last Five Georgia Stores

By Daniel Okafor

The Shelby Report reports that Food Lion’s acquisition of five Winn-Dixie stores brings its 2026 opening total from 10 planned to 15.

Food Lion entered an agreement with The Winn-Dixie Company to buy the five remaining stores in southern Georgia, according to The Shelby Report. The acquisition moves Food Lion beyond its prior 2026 growth plan. It completes Winn-Dixie’s return to operating strictly in Florida, its home state.

“The addition of these stores will allow us to nourish more families across Georgia,” said Greg Finchum, president of Food Lion.

“The growth we're experiencing gives us great momentum as we head into 2027. Each new store broadens our footprint and deepens our presence in the towns and cities we serve, giving our associates the opportunity to offer neighbors the easy and affordable shopping experience they count on from Food Lion.”

The five acquired locations are:

• 5420 Jesup Highway, Brunswick
• 3606 Second St., Folkston
• 1060 Lakes Blvd., Lake Park
• 220 Retreat Village, St. Simons Island
• 3200 N. Ashley St., Valdosta

Food Lion expects to hire roughly 375 associates across the five locations. The acquisition expands its Georgia footprint to 51 stores. Food Lion was on track to open 10 new stores by the end of 2026. The acquisition brings its year-end opening total to 15.

What changes for Georgia shoppers?

The stores will remain open as Winn-Dixie until the transaction closes, subject to customary requirements. Each location will close briefly before reopening in mid-December under the Food Lion banner. Shoppers will find Food Lion’s layout and assortment at the same five addresses, along with Food Lion To Go pickup and home delivery.

For Georgia shoppers, the practical change is the operating format, not the store list. Food Lion’s roughly 375 expected hires provide the labor base for that conversion. The 51-store Georgia footprint gives the acquired stores an established local operating network.

Winn-Dixie concentrates its resources in Florida

The Shelby Report said the sale caps a year of consolidation under The Winn-Dixie Company name, formerly Southeastern Grocers. C&S Wholesale Grocers became the majority owner in August. After the transaction, The Winn-Dixie Company expects to operate more than 120 Winn-Dixie grocery stores and more than 100 liquor stores, all in Florida.

The company converted and opened three former Hitchcock’s Markets stores in Williston, Keystone Heights and Alachua. It completed eight Florida remodels in 2026. It is advancing plans for new stores in Zephyrhills and Eustis in 2027. It is also exploring further expansion statewide.

“For more than 100 years, Florida has been our home, and our commitment to the communities that have shaped our story remains strong,” said Raymond Rhee, president and CEO of The Winn-Dixie Company, which is based in Jacksonville.

“This strategic decision allows us to build on that momentum and direct more resources toward expanding and strengthening our presence across Florida. We recognize the impact this decision has on our associates and customers in southern Georgia, and we deeply value the relationships we've built over the years.”

The Food Partners served as financial and strategic adviser to The Winn-Dixie Company, according to The Shelby Report.

The Shelby Report identifies Food Lion as a Salisbury, North Carolina-based operator of more than 1,100 stores in 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. Food Lion is a company of Ahold Delhaize USA.

By mid-December, the immediate operating milestone is a brief closure and reopening of all five stores under Food Lion, backed by roughly 375 expected hires and a 51-store Georgia network. Winn-Dixie enters 2027 with new stores planned in Zephyrhills and Eustis while exploring further statewide expansion. For Georgia shoppers, the addresses stay the same; the banner, layout, assortment and delivery setup change.