Southeastern Grocers LLC (SEG) announced Tuesday that it will “step into a new era” as The Winn-Dixie Company in early 2026, uniting under one iconic brand with a renewed focus on its home state of Florida.
The change honors Winn-Dixie’s century-long legacy while positioning the grocer for growth through investments designed to modernize stores, enrich the customer experience and reimagine the neighborhood grocer for the next 100 years.
“For a century, Winn-Dixie has proudly called Florida home,” Anthony Hucker, chairman and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, said. “Our story is built on the resilience and spirit of its people, and that foundation will guide our future. As we enter our next century as The Winn-Dixie Company — a brand-new 100-year-old company — we are accelerating growth where our roots run deepest while staying true to our purpose of feeding and enriching the communities, families and neighbors who have supported us for generations.”
Dozens of remodels and new store projects are both planned and already underway, with upgrades designed to create inviting, community-centered stores that reflect the needs of local customers.
The grocer is also expanding its liquor store portfolio with innovative formats, growing its Own Brand product assortment, highlighted by the return of its Lip Lickin’ Chicken in early 2026, and piloting new customer conveniences and partnerships such as third-party online grocery delivery and return kiosks.
As part of its Florida growth strategy, the company has finalized an agreement to acquire Hitchcock’s Markets in Alachua, Keystone Heights and Williston. These stores will be converted to Winn-Dixie and opened in phases beginning late 2025, further strengthening the grocer’s North Florida presence.
At the same time, the company plans to sell or close most of its locations outside of Florida while continuing to operate stores in Florida and southern Georgia under the Winn-Dixie umbrella.
While this change enables the grocer to reinvest in the communities where its roots run deepest, it also marks the end of an important chapter in regions that have supported Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets for generations.
SEG has reached agreements or is advancing plans with multiple grocers, which include 32 Winn-Dixie stores and eight Harveys Supermarkets, in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.
The company will continue to serve southern Georgia with stores in Brunswick, Folkston, Lake Park, St. Simons Island and Valdosta.
Store closings are expected to be completed by year-end, with all banner transitions anticipated by early 2026.
Following these transactions, The Winn-Dixie Company will move forward with a sharpened focus on its home state and neighboring southern Georgia, operating approximately 130 conventional grocery stores and 140 freestanding and grocery-adjacent liquor stores.
For updates on The Winn-Dixie Company and SEG’s transformation, go to segrocers.com/updates.
In the sale transaction, The Food Partners served as financial and strategic adviser to Southeastern Grocers.
