Birmingham-based Belle Foods LLC., which filed for bankruptcy Monday, is planning to close 13 of its 57 stores within a month.
A bankruptcy judge ruled Wednesday that Belle Foods can close stores in Alabama, Florida and Georgia by Aug. 3 as part of its bankruptcy plan.
The plan calls for the company to sell off assets to try reconciling a $42 million debt.
Stores slated to close in Alabama include Food World locations in Hueytown, Gadsden, Florence, Decatur and Mobile.
Four Food World Stories in Pensacola, Mary Esther and Niceville, Fla. are also expected to close.
The company is also looking to close a Piggly Wiggly store in Tifton, Ga.
Belle Foods operates 57 stores in Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Mississippi.