Bi-Lo to Have Headquarters in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Bi-Lo Holding, the new parent company of both Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie, will eventually migrate its headquarters here, where Winn-Dixie Stores had been based, the company said Monday.

As previously reported, Winn-Dixie shareholders on Friday voted to approve the acquisition of the chain by Bi-Lo for $560 million. The combined company has 688 stores and about 63,000 employees. The company said it would continue operate under the two banners.

“With the merger of Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie now complete, we can begin delivering on this exciting combination for the benefit of our customers, team members and communities,” said Randall Onstead, president and chief executive officer of Bi-Lo Holding.

The Jacksonville location is “centrally located within its eight-state operating area,” the company said Monday. “While both companies enjoy a strong heritage of support from their local communities, the Jacksonville-based infrastructure is best positioned to host the combined Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie support center, corporate office and distribution facilities.”

The company plans to maintain a presence in the Greenville, S.C., area, where Bi-Lo is based, both for distribution and local store support. Bi-Lo is currently supplied by C&S Wholesale Grocers, Keene, N.H., while Winn-Dixie is self-distributing.

According to local reports, Michael Byars will remain in Mauldin, S.C., as Bi-Lo's president.