Who Owns Harris Teeter?
Harris Teeter is owned by The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), which acquired the chain in 2013 for approximately $2.5 billion. Founded in 1936 in Charlotte, North Carolina, through the merger of the Harris and Teeter grocery businesses, Harris Teeter operates about 250 upscale supermarkets across seven Southeastern states and Washington, DC, positioned as Kroger's premium grocery banner.
Parent Company
Acquired
2013
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Harris Teeter Timeline
Who Owns Harris Teeter?
- Parent Company: The Kroger Co.
- Ownership Type: Subsidiary
- Acquisition Year: 2013
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: KR
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Harris Teeter | The Kroger Co. | Subsidiary |
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchases
Harris Teeter on AmazonHistory of Harris Teeter
- Founded: 1936
- Founders: William T. Harris, Willis L. Teeter
- Acquired by The Kroger Co.: 2013
Harris Teeter traces to two Depression-era North Carolina grocery businesses. William T. Harris, a former A&P employee, opened his first Charlotte store in 1936 with a focus on service and quality. Separately, Willis L. Teeter and his brother Paul ran Teeters Food Mart, which they had founded in 1939 in Mooresville. The two family businesses merged in 1960 to form Harris Teeter Supermarkets.
The merged chain cultivated an upscale identity unusual for its region: air-conditioned stores, butcher service, extensive perishables, and later 24-hour operations. It went public in 1969 and grew through the Carolinas and into Virginia, becoming the dominant premium grocer in markets like Charlotte, Raleigh, and Washington's suburbs.
Key features included its HT private label, the VIC (Very Important Customer) loyalty program launched in 1998, and ExpressLane online ordering, which was an early e-grocery service. Harris Teeter was among the first US grocers to emphasize perishables quality as a brand differentiator.
Kroger acquired the chain in July 2013 for $2.5 billion, attracted by its above-average margins and growth markets. Since then Harris Teeter has expanded carefully into new Southeastern markets, reaching about 250 stores across seven states plus DC as of 2026, and fully adopted Kroger's loyalty and private-label systems while keeping its premium positioning.
About The Kroger Co.
Is Kroger publicly traded?
Yes, Kroger is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KR. The company went public in 1977 and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Shares are widely held by institutional investors, index funds, and retail shareholders.
Who founded Kroger?
Bernard Kroger founded the company in 1883 in Cincinnati, Ohio. His first store, called The Great Western Tea and Coffee Company, sold tea and coffee at lower prices than competitors. Kroger pioneered retail innovations including in-store bakeries, meat departments, and self-service shopping.
What happened to Kroger's CEO?
Rodney McMullen unexpectedly resigned as Chairman and CEO in March 2025. He had served as CEO since 2014 and as president since 2009. The board is conducting a deliberate search for an external successor with retail transformation experience. The company has not yet announced a permanent replacement.
What is Kroger's revenue?
Kroger reported revenue of $147.1 billion for fiscal year 2025, the year ended February 1, 2025. Q4 2025 revenue was $34.8 billion with EPS of $1.15, exceeding analyst expectations. The company generates revenue through grocery sales, pharmacy services, fuel centers, and digital commerce.
How many stores does Kroger operate?
Kroger operates over 2,700 stores across 35 states under multiple banners including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, King Soopers, Dillons, and Smith's. The company plans to complete 30 major store projects in 2025, with new store openings expected to accelerate beyond 2025.
Did Kroger buy Albertsons?
No, the $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons was blocked by a federal judge in December 2023 on antitrust grounds. The companies abandoned the merger in December 2024. Albertsons subsequently sued Kroger for breach of contract. Kroger announced a $7.5 billion share repurchase program following the failed merger.
What is Kroger's relationship with Ocado?
Kroger partnered with Ocado Group in 2018 for automated fulfillment technology. In December 2025, Kroger modified the partnership, making a one-time payment to remove exclusivity agreements while maintaining five active fulfillment centers. A sixth facility in Phoenix is planned with "AutoFreezer" technology for automated freezer inventory management.
- Founded: 1883
- Headquarters: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: KR
- Revenue: $147.6 billion (FY2025, year ended January 31, 2026)
- Employees: Approximately 420,000
Where Is Harris Teeter Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Matthews, North Carolina, USA
Harris Teeter Categories & Tags
Harris Teeter Recalls & Controversies
Harris Teeter has a relatively clean record. Its most visible controversies have been shared Kroger issues: the failed Albertsons merger cast a shadow over the portfolio, and local opposition arises periodically when new Harris Teeter stores displace existing development or when it closes underperforming sites.
Labor is mostly non-union in its right-to-work Southern footprint, drawing occasional UFCW organizing efforts and criticism. It shares industry-wide pressure on pricing amid inflation and on pharmacy staffing.
Brands Owned by The Kroger Co.
Food BeverageFred Meyer
Owned by The Kroger Co.
Fred Meyer is a Pacific Northwest one-stop shopping chain owned by The Kroger Co., operating about 130 stores combining groceries, apparel, and general merchandise.
groceryhypermarketpacific-northwest
Food BeverageKroger
Owned by The Kroger Co.
Kroger is the flagship supermarket banner of The Kroger Co., America's largest supermarket operator, with more than 1,300 Kroger-branded stores and a pending $1.65 billion Giant Eagle acquisition.
grocerysupermarketfood-retail
Food BeverageRalphs
Owned by The Kroger Co.
Ralphs is a Southern California supermarket chain owned by The Kroger Co., operating roughly 190 stores, founded in 1873 in Los Angeles.
grocerysupermarketcalifornia
Harris Teeter Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Kroger's strongest premium-positioned banner
- +Dominant in affluent, growing Southeastern metros
- +High customer loyalty and service reputation
- +Local autonomy within national-scale supply chain
- +ExpressLane gives it a proprietary eCommerce channel
Considerations
- -Publix's northward expansion threatens core markets
- -Premium positioning squeezes margins in value-driven periods
- -Concentrated in seven states plus DC
- -Kroger's cost discipline can tension against service investment
Frequently Asked Questions About Harris Teeter
Sources & Further Reading
Competitors to Harris Teeter
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coles Group | Australia | 1914 | Mass market | Asia pacific | All Genders | |
| George Weston Limited | Canada | 1919 | Mass market | Canada | All-ages | |
| Empire Company | Canada | 1907 | Mass market | Canada | All Genders | |
| Woolworths Group | Australia | 1924 | Mass market | Australia | All-ages | |
| Kroger | USA | 1883 | Mass market | United states | All Genders | |
| Kroger | USA | 1873 | Mass market | United states | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Retail EcommerceColes Group
Owned by Coles Group Limited
Australian supermarket chain operating over 800 grocery stores, liquor outlets, and convenience stores across Australia. Publicly traded on ASX under ticker COL. Spun off from Wesfarmers in 2018.
supermarketgroceryretail
Retail EcommerceLoblaws
Owned by George Weston Limited
Canadian grocery retailer and flagship banner of Loblaw Companies Limited, Canada's largest food retailer with over 2,500 stores nationwide.
supermarketgroceryretail
Retail EcommerceSobeys
Owned by Empire Company Limited
Canadian national supermarket chain with over 1,500 stores, owned by Empire Company Limited (TSX: EMP.A).
supermarketgroceryretail
Retail EcommerceWoolworths Australia
Owned by Woolworths Group Limited
Australia's largest supermarket chain, operating over 1,000 stores across the country. Owned by Woolworths Group Limited (ASX: WOW). Known for grocery retail, fresh food, and private label products.
supermarketgroceryretail
Food BeverageKroger
Owned by The Kroger Co.
Kroger is the flagship supermarket banner of The Kroger Co., America's largest supermarket operator, with more than 1,300 Kroger-branded stores and a pending $1.65 billion Giant Eagle acquisition.
grocerysupermarketfood-retail
Food BeverageRalphs
Owned by The Kroger Co.
Ralphs is a Southern California supermarket chain owned by The Kroger Co., operating roughly 190 stores, founded in 1873 in Los Angeles.
grocerysupermarketcalifornia
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Harris Teeter competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Independent Alternatives to Harris Teeter
Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by The Kroger Co., giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.
Food BeverageGreenWise
Owned by Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Publix-owned organic and natural grocery brand offering USDA Organic-certified products and formerly a standalone specialty supermarket banner.
organicprivate-labelgrocery
Privately Owned
GreenWise is privately owned, unlike Harris Teeter which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Food BeverageFerrero Rocher
Owned by Ferrero
Premium hazelnut chocolate brand launched in 1982 by Ferrero Group, sold in over 170 countries. Known for gold-foil wrapped praline chocolates and gifting positioning.
chocolatepremium-chocolategifting
Privately Owned
Ferrero Rocher is privately owned, unlike Harris Teeter which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Food BeverageFiji Water
Owned by The Wonderful Company
Premium bottled water brand sourced from an artesian aquifer in Fiji, owned by The Wonderful Company.
bottled-waterbeveragepremium-water
Privately Owned
Fiji Water is privately owned, unlike Harris Teeter which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Food BeverageNaked Juice
Owned by Tropicana Brands Group
American premium juice and smoothie brand founded in Santa Monica in 1983. Owned by Tropicana Brands Group since 2021, previously by PepsiCo from 2007.
juicesmoothiecold-pressed
Privately Owned
Naked Juice is privately owned, unlike Harris Teeter which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Food BeveragePurely Elizabeth
Owned by Ferrero
Better-for-you breakfast brand founded in 2009 in Boulder, Colorado, known for granola, oatmeal, and cereal with premium ingredients. Acquired by Ferrero Group in August 2026 for approximately $850 million.
granolabreakfastbetter-for-you
Privately Owned
Purely Elizabeth is privately owned, unlike Harris Teeter which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Food BeverageStonyfield
Owned by Lactalis Group
American organic yogurt brand founded in New Hampshire in 1983, owned by Lactalis Group since 2017. The best-selling certified organic yogurt brand in the United States and a certified B Corporation.
yogurtorganicdairy
Privately Owned
Stonyfield is privately owned, unlike Harris Teeter which is under a publicly traded parent company.
The Kroger Co. Stock Information
Jobs at The Kroger Co.
Latest News About Harris Teeter
Related Articles About Harris Teeter
View more articles
Consumer Education
Is There Actually a Difference Between Store Brand and Name Brand?
Store brands now represent over 20% of US grocery sales. Many are made in the same factories as the name brands they sit next to. Here is what the evidence says about quality, ingredients, and who makes what.
Who Brands StaffApr 12, 2026
Store BrandsPrivate LabelName Brands
News & Updates
Monthly M&A Roundup: July 2026 Brand Ownership Changes
July 2026's biggest deals: Stripe and Advent bid $53B for PayPal, Vertex acquired Crinetics for $10B, Couche-Tard bought Żabka for $8.6B, Utz went private in a $2.9B deal with Intersnack, and Kroger acquired Giant Eagle for $1.65B. Full breakdown.
Who Brands StaffAug 1, 2026
M And A RoundupAcquisitionsNews
Company Deep Dive
How Tyson Foods Quietly Dominates Your Supermarket
Jimmy Dean, Ball Park, Hillshire Farm, Sara Lee Deli, and Aidells all share one parent: Tyson Foods. Here is how America's largest meat company built a portfolio that covers nearly every protein aisle.
Who Brands StaffMar 8, 2026
Tyson FoodsFood BrandsMeat Industry
People Also Searched
Discover popular brands and companies in the Food & Beverage category and related searches from other users.
Brandsoft-drink
7 Up
American lemon-lime flavored carbonated soft drink brand known for its crisp, clean taste and caffeine-free formula.
Brand in Food & Beverage
lemon-limecaffeine-free
Brandprobiotic
Activia
Probiotic yogurt brand owned by Danone SA, sold in more than 70 countries. Activia is positioned as a digestive health product and is one of Danone's highest-revenue dairy brands globally.
Brand in Food & Beverage
yogurtdigestive-health
Brandchocolate
Aero
British chocolate brand known for its distinctive aerated, bubbly texture, produced and distributed by Nestle and sold primarily in the United Kingdom, Canada, and select international markets.
Brand in Food & Beverage
confectionerysnacks