Ahold Delhaize USA breaks ground on automated distribution hub
Ahold Delhaize USA is one big step closer to having a new state-of-the-art distribution center in North Carolina.
The U.S. subsidiary of Dutch supermarket conglomerate Ahold Delhaize, along with its companies ADUSA Distribution and ADUSA Transportation, have broken ground on an $860 million-plus distribution center in Burlington, N.C.
Initially announced in October 2025 and expected to open in 2029, the new facility will grow the company’s supply chain network, which serves Ahold Delhaize USA’s omnichannel grocery brands on the East Coast, by adding over 1 million sq. ft. of fresh and frozen distribution capacity.
[READ MORE: Ahold Delhaize plans fourth North Carolina distribution center]
When operational, the hub will support Ahold Delhaize USA grocery brands including Food Lion while creating a more than 500 anticipated new jobs over time. The Tippmann Group, specializing in construction of temperature-controlled food plant and cold storage warehouse facilities, will lead construction of the site.
The Burlington facility will incorporate modern automation and sustainability features designed to enhance operational efficiency and minimize environmental impact. Witron will provide automated technology and integrated logistics solutions for the facility.
"This groundbreaking marks another exciting step forward in strengthening our supply chain network and ensuring we can serve our customers with the freshest products every day," said J.J. Fleeman, Chief Executive Officer, Ahold Delhaize USA. "We’re proud to invest in North Carolina – one of our home states for nearly 70 years – and to continue building on our commitment to serving local customers and communities by providing access to nutritious and affordable options."
The Burlington site will be the fourth Ahold Delhaize USA distribution center in North Carolina, joining existing facilities in Salisbury, Butner and Dunn. The company is building this facility even as it is strategically closing six centralized fulfillment locations for Giant Food and The Giant Company by the end of the first quarter of 2026. They include a centralized Giant Food e-commerce fulfillment center in Manassas, Va.; as well as five Giant Company facilities in Philadelphia, Willow Grove, Coopersburg, North Coventry and Lancaster, Penn.
According to Ahold Delhaize USA, it decided to close these facilities after considering customer trends and preferences for home delivery that increasingly include fast delivery and wider assortment and delivery availability.
Over the past several years, Ahold Delhaize USA grocery banners have been transitioning to a local, store-first fulfillment network in an effort to offer greater customer availability at faster speeds.
Ahold Delhaize USA, a division of global food retailer Ahold Delhaize, includes Food Lion, The Giant Company, Giant Food, Hannaford and Stop & Shop. When considered together, the companies of Ahold Delhaize USA comprise the largest grocery retail group on the U.S. East Coast and the fourth-largest in the nation, serving 26 million omnichannel customers each week.
