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BI-LO Names Michael Byars As President and CEO

Date: February 17, 2009

Randall Onstead Continues as Chairman of the Board.

MAULDIN, S.C. (Feb. 17, 2009) — BI-LO, LLC today announced it named Michael Byars as President and CEO.   Byars replaces Randall Onstead, who has acted as Interim CEO since November, 2008, in addition to serving as Chairman of the Board.  Onstead will continue his role as Chairman of the Board.  These changes are effective, Monday, February 23. Byars most recently served as President and CEO of Minyard Food Stores in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.  Prior to his tenure at Minyard Food Stores, Byars spent several years with Florida-based Kash N Karry Supermarkets and preceding that, his grocery career began with Food Lion Stores.“With more than 30 years of experience in the supermarket industry, Michael Byars is the ideal choice to lead the company,” said Onstead.  “We are fortunate to have someone with the background of Michael joining BI-LO.  He’s an outstanding leader who is in tune with how best to serve our customers and inspire our employees.” Byars said, “I’m looking forward to assuming the President and CEO responsibilities at BI-LO.  I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the BI-LO team to continue providing our customers with the low prices, high quality and excellent service they’ve come to expect.”
In addition to currently serving on the boards of the National Grocers Association and the Associated Wholesale Grocers, Byars has also worked with Tampa Children’s Hospital at St. Joseph’s and Project Return of Tampa Bay.  He previously served as Chairman of Tampa Bay’s U.S. Government Bond Committee, and was affiliated with The Children’s Medical Center of Dallas and Texas Health Harris Methodist Foundation.

ABOUT BI-LO

BI-LO, a portfolio company of Lone Star U.S. Acquisitions, LLC, is one of the Southeast’s leading supermarket chains.  Headquartered in Mauldin, South Carolina, the company operates approximately 216 supermarkets in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee and employs approximately 17,200 people.