Nash Finch Co., Minneapolis-based food distributor, announced today 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, 12 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 complete 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,” said 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.”
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.”
Nash Finch Co. is one of the leading food distribution companies in the United States. Nash Finch’s core business, food distribution, serves independent retailers and military commissaries in 36 states, the District of Columbia, Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Azores, Bahrain and Egypt. The company also owns and operates a base of retail stores, primarily supermarkets under the Econofoods®, Family Thrift Center®, AVANZA®, Family Fresh Markets®, Savers Choice™ and Sun Mart® trade names.
