Nash Finch Buying No Frills Supermarkets

Nash Finch Company, a Minneapolis-based food distributor, announced that U Save Foods, Inc., a Nash Finch wholly-owned subsidiary, has entered into an agreement to purchase the No Frills Supermarkets. Fourteen stores are located in Nebraska, twelve of which are in the Greater Omaha market; four stores are located in western Iowa. No Frills is owned by seasoned retail executives, and led by Fred Witecy, a former Nash Finch employee, who will rejoin Nash Finch following the acquisition. After the transaction closes, Nash Finch will own 24 supermarkets in greater Omaha, and 41 in the state of Nebraska. The transaction is expected to be completed early in the third quarter of 2012. “We are excited to be joining with Nash Finch to create a stronger retail presence in greater Omaha and to be part of the strong platform for growth that Nash Finch offers. Having worked for Nash Finch previously, I know from personal experience the benefit of what Nash Finch can offer. Combining the purchasing power of the No Frills stores, the Bag ‘N Save stores and the Nash Finch corporate owned stores, we will be well positioned to deliver competitive prices and programs to all of our Nebraska and Iowa customers,” commented Fred Witecy, CEO of No Frills. “I want to thank all of our loyal employees and customers for the support they have given us over the years and we look forward to the opportunity to continue to earn that support for years to come,” continued Witecy. Alec Covington, Nash Finch President and CEO added, “I look forward to welcoming the No Frills associates to Nash Finch and, in particular, to welcoming Fred back to the Nash Finch family. We are excited about the opportunities before us in Omaha and in greater Nebraska to offer retail experiences that will delight our customers and energize our associates to continue to provide the outstanding customer service our customers have come to expect.”