Flowers Foods, Inc. (NYSE: FLO) today announced that George E. Deese, chairman of the board, has exercised a stock option for approximately 739,000 shares in a transaction with the company. Consequently, his direct ownership increased from 2.67 million shares of Flowers Foods common stock to 2.84 million shares, which is well in excess of the company's stock ownership guidelines. Solely to cover the exercise price and related tax liability, Mr. Deese sold shares of Flowers Foods common stock obtained through this option exercise in the open market. The option, granted to Mr. Deese in 2011 under the company's Equity and Performance Incentive Plan, was set to expire this year.

About Flowers Foods – Headquartered in Thomasville, Ga., Flowers Foods, Inc. (NYSE: FLO) is one of the largest producers of fresh packaged bakery foods in the United States, with 2015 sales of $3.8 billion. Flowers operates bakeries across the country that produce a wide range of bakery products. Among the company's top brands are Nature's Own, Wonder, and Tastykake. Learn more at www.flowersfoods.com..