LEX SEWELL

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Funeral services have been held here for Lex Sewell, 64, co-owner of Memphis-based Sewell-Allen, the largest franchisee of the Piggly Wiggly supermarket brand in Tennessee. rst met in 1956 when Sewell entered the Kroger Co., Cincinnati, management program and Allen was managing a Greenwood, Miss., grocery store. Sewell went into business for himself in 1971, and in 1980, Sewell and

Nov 05, 2001

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Funeral services have been held here for Lex Sewell, 64, co-owner of Memphis-based Sewell-Allen, the largest franchisee of the Piggly Wiggly supermarket brand in Tennessee.

rst met in 1956 when Sewell entered the Kroger Co., Cincinnati, management program and Allen was managing a Greenwood, Miss., grocery store. Sewell went into business for himself in 1971, and in 1980, Sewell and Allen decided to pursue a joint business venture, purchasing a Safeway store and forming Sewell-Allen. In 1990, the company merged with another Memphis grocery operator and eventually bought out that company's interest. In addition to 11 Piggly Wiggly stores, the company currently owns and operates two MegaMarket stores.