Harps Food Stores, Inc., has entered into a purchase agreement to acquire 18 stores from Joey and Jeanie Hays, owners of Dyer Foods, an independent grocery retailer with multiple locations across western Tennessee. This acquisition is to include both Hays-Cash Saver and Piggly Wiggly, in Henderson, according to a Harps Food Stores representative.
The store locations being acquired are in the following towns: Alamo, Bells, Brownsville, Covington, Dyersburg, Halls, Henderson, Humboldt, Jackson, Millington, Newbern, Somerville, Tiptonville and Trenton – all in Tennessee, as well as Fulton, Ky.
Earlier this week, Dyer Foods informed their associates that its store banners, employment and operations across western Tennessee will continue with minimal change or interruption. While the timing of the transaction has not been finalized, both parties anticipate completing the transaction by summer of 2026.
“When Jeanie and I decided it was time to make this transition, Harps was our first choice,” states Joey Hays, owner of Dyer Foods. “Their commitment to the associates and communities they serve is what we were looking for in a company, and to continue to grow the brand.”
“We are excited to be able to acquire these stores from the Hays Family. We love small stores in small towns and these stores fit our strategy perfectly. We have the greatest respect for what the Hays family and their staff have been able to accomplish and look forward to having this great group of people join our company,” said Kim Eskew, Chairman and CEO of Harps Food Stores.
Harps is a 100% employee-owned company, which operates 160 stores in six states including Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Oklahoma. Harps is the largest employee owned company in the state of Arkansas and was founded by Harvard and Floy Harp in Springdale, Arkansas in 1930. Since then, the company has grown to employ over 6,900 associates.
The Food Partners served as financial advisor to Dyer Foods on this transaction.
For more information about Harps Food Stores and company history, visit www.harpsfood.com
