Ahold Delhaize USA to Establish New Distribution Hub in Burlington, NC
A significant investment is set to boost the economic landscape of Burlington, North Carolina. Ahold Delhaize USA, known for its prominent grocery retail brands like Food Lion, has committed $860 million toward developing a cutting-edge distribution center in the city. This new facility will support the company’s operations across the East Coast, initially generating 120 jobs with expectations to exceed 500 positions as the project unfolds.
Governor Josh Stein expressed enthusiasm about the expansion, stating, “Food Lion has years of experience feeding North Carolina. We are excited that Ahold Delhaize USA has chosen to double down on its investment in the state and establish this important new facility in Burlington.”
Ahold Delhaize USA operates five major grocery brands—Food Lion, The GIANT Company, Giant Food, Hannaford, and Stop & Shop—serving 26 million customers weekly across the East Coast. The Burlington distribution center is slated to begin construction in 2026, with operations expected by 2029. The center will ultimately employ over 500 people.
JJ Fleeman, CEO of Ahold Delhaize USA, highlighted the investment’s impact on local communities: “The investment into this facility is an investment into the customers that trust our brands to nourish their families. Through the new distribution center, ADUSA Distribution and ADUSA Transportation will expand their capacity to support Food Lion’s growth in the state, along with bringing new jobs. We’re excited to locate this facility in North Carolina and continue to grow our presence in a state where our companies have done business for more than 65 years.”
Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley acknowledged the strategic choice by stating, “It’s a notable vote of confidence when a company that knows us well and, after surveying other alternatives, decides to expand their operations in our state. Ahold Delhaize USA is part of a global company with many options, so I’m very pleased this major distribution hub will be located in Burlington.”
The initial workforce will contribute an annual payroll of over $10.7 million to the local economy. Supporting this development is a $250,000 performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund, aimed at aiding ADUSA Distribution, LLC, contingent upon job creation and investment milestones. The grant necessitates a matching contribution from local governments.
N.C. Representative Alan Branson emphasized the project’s significance: “This is the largest capital investment in the Burlington area in anyone’s memory, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome these new jobs to the region. Ahold Delhaize USA and their ADUSA Distribution unit will find a strong network of partners standing ready to help them succeed in our community.”
North Carolina Senator Phil Berger underlined the transformative potential of this initiative: “This announcement comes at an exciting time for North Carolina. Partnerships and collaboration among local, regional, and state entities are helping catapult our state’s economic success. The addition of this Ahold Delhaize USA fulfillment center will bring hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in revenue to North Carolina, and I could not be more excited for our community and our state.”
The project is a concerted effort with numerous partners including the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the North Carolina General Assembly, and others, working collectively to support this substantial investment in the region.
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