Southeastern Grocers to add three Hispanic-themed stores

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Southeastern Grocers said Tuesday that it would expand its Fresco y Más Hispanic banner beyond South Florida, opening three new locations in Orlando and Tampa, Florida.

The announcement came less than a week after the company, which operates the Winn-Dixie, BI-LO, Harveys and Fresco y Más chains, said it would close 94 underperforming stores as part of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and financial restructuring.

“Our customer and associate responses to Fresco y Más have been extremely positive and we’ve been successful in tailoring each Fresco y Más store to the need of the individual communities, Southeastern Grocers president and CEO Anthony Hucker said in a statement. “We are confident that now is the time to introduce Fresco y Más into Central and West Florida neighborhoods and offer those customers an authentic Hispanic grocery store experience. We are excited to give our loyal customers a store they can count on while providing exceptional service and quality products.”

Southeastern Grocers plans to add two Fresco y Más stores in Tampa and one in Orlando. The stores are scheduled to open in April.

The company debuted the Fresco y Más format in June 2016 with the opening of a store in Hialeah, Fla. The format promised shoppers an authentic Hispanic shopping experience with products and services designed to meet the needs of that community. Southeastern Grocers has since opened new Fresco y Más stores and converted other outlets to the format. Following the openings of the Tampa and Orlando stores in April, the Fresco y Más banner will have 25 locations.