Penn Traffic names Phillip E. Hawkins as new president and chief executive officer

Business Wire, March 12, 1997

SYRACUSE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 12, 1997--The Penn Traffic Company, one of the leading supermarket companies in the East, today announced that its new President and Chief Executive Officer will be Phillip E. Hawkins, currently a Senior Vice President at Vons Companies, Inc. Mr. Hawkins will join the Syracuse, New York-based Penn Traffic in April. Mr. Hawkins will also be elected to the Penn Traffic Board of Directors.

"Phil is exactly what our company needs--a proven leader in store operations, merchandising and marketing, experiencedaid Gary D. Hirsch, Chairman of the Boa rd of The Penn Traf fic Company, which operates 265 supermarkets in upstate New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.

"At Vons, Phil played a central role in the development of an indust.

"Our Board expects Phil to take full responsibility for day-to-day operations from day one," added MPenn Traffic stores, so I know first hand that l be to make these programs even better and make them work effectively and efficiently in all the stores," sas to increase shareholder value by continuing to improve the merchandising, marketing, and operations of theased company that operates approximately 320 su's president following a six-month national sea and West Virginia under the "Big Bear," "Big Bear Plus," "Bi-Lo Foods," "Insalaco's," "P&C Foods," "Quality Markets," and "Riverside Markets" trade names. Penn Traffic also operates wholesale food distribution businesses serving 115 licensed franchises and 99 independent operators.

CONTACT: The Penn Traffic Company

Gary D. Hirsch

Chairman of the Board, 914-921-3000

or

Martin A. Fox

Vice Chairman-Finance

914-921-3000