Publix sells Crispers business

LAKELAND, Fla.— Publix Super Markets announced that it has entered into a contract to sell Crispers, the fresh salads, soups and sandwiches restaurant company it purchased in February 2007, to Healthy Food Concepts, LLC, an affiliate of a Florida-based investment group.

“For more than 80 years, we have been the grocery retailer of choice for Floridians,” said Publix CEO Ed Crenshaw. “This opportunity gives us the ability to continue to be passionately focused on our core business, our customers and the products and services we offer within our grocery retail environment. While we were able to share best practices with Crispers, we recognized that now was the time to refocus our business priorities.”

The terms and agreement of the sale are confidential. Healthy Food Concepts, LLC will operate Crispers as a stand-alone business and will retain the management and associates of the restaurants.