Who Owns Kroger?
Kroger is the flagship brand of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), America's largest supermarket operator. Founded in 1883 by Bernard Kroger in Cincinnati, the Kroger banner accounts for roughly half of the company's 2,697 supermarkets across 35 states. The Kroger Co. reported $147.6 billion in fiscal 2025 sales and in 2026 agreed to acquire Giant Eagle's roughly 200 supermarkets for $1.65 billion.
Who Owns Kroger?
- Parent Company: The Kroger Co.
- Ownership Type: Subsidiary
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: KR
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Kroger | The Kroger Co. | Subsidiary |
Where to Buy
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Kroger on AmazonHistory of Kroger
- Founded: 1883
- Founders: Bernard Kroger
Bernard Kroger opened his Great Western Tea Company store in Cincinnati in 1883. By 1902, when the company incorporated as The Kroger Grocery and Baking Company, it operated 40 stores. Kroger pioneered self-service shopping, in-store bakeries, and selling meat inside grocery stores, innovations that defined the modern supermarket.
Through the twentieth century Kroger expanded by acquisition and organic growth across the Midwest and South, adding pharmacies, fuel centers, and its manufacturing arm producing private-label products. By the 1980s it was America's largest supermarket chain, a position it has largely held since.
Defining recent events: the $24.6 billion Albertsons merger announced in October 2022 was blocked by federal and state courts in December 2024 and terminated, costing Kroger a $600 million breakup fee and triggering litigation between the companies. CEO Rodney McMullen resigned in March 2025 after a conduct investigation, and interim CEO Ron Sargent led until Greg Foran was appointed in February 2026. In November 2025, Kroger took a $2.5 billion impairment and closed three Ocado-powered automated fulfillment centers to refocus on store-based fulfillment.
In 2026, Kroger agreed to acquire Giant Eagle's roughly 200 supermarkets for $1.65 billion, its largest deal since Albertsons collapsed, pending regulatory review as of September 2026.
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 Kroger Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States
Kroger Categories & Tags
Kroger Recalls & Controversies
The failed Albertsons merger dominated Kroger's scrutiny window. Federal and state courts blocked the deal in December 2024; Albertsons sued for the $600 million breakup fee plus damages, which Kroger is contesting. McMullen's March 2025 resignation after an ethics investigation drew governance criticism.
Kroger also faces periodic scrutiny over grocery pricing amid food inflation, including a widely covered 2024 congressional hearing on dynamic "surge" pricing concerns with electronic shelf labels, which the company disputed. Pharmacy staffing levels and PBM-adjacent criticism of Kroger Health surface occasionally. The Giant Eagle deal will draw antitrust review in overlapping markets.
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 BeverageHarris Teeter
Owned by The Kroger Co.
Harris Teeter is an upscale Southeastern supermarket chain owned by The Kroger Co. since 2013, operating about 250 stores across the Carolinas, mid-Atlantic, and DC.
grocerysupermarketupscale
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
Kroger Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Scale as America's largest supermarket operator
- +Loyalty data on 63 million households powering media revenue
- +$37 billion private-label business with manufacturing integration
- +New leadership under proven operator Greg Foran
- +Giant Eagle acquisition adds share if approved
Considerations
- -Failed Albertsons deal cost the breakup fee and years of distraction
- -$2.5 billion Ocado impairment shows automation strategy reset
- -Grocery margins structurally thin amid Walmart and Aldi pressure
- -CEO transition is recent; execution risk on integration
- -Pharmacy reimbursement pressure affects in-store pharmacies
Frequently Asked Questions About Kroger
Sources & Further Reading
Competitors to Kroger
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 | 1936 | Premium | 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 BeverageHarris Teeter
Owned by The Kroger Co.
Harris Teeter is an upscale Southeastern supermarket chain owned by The Kroger Co. since 2013, operating about 250 stores across the Carolinas, mid-Atlantic, and DC.
grocerysupermarketupscale
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: Kroger 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 Kroger
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 BeveragePublix Aprons
Owned by Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Publix-owned culinary brand covering cooking schools, a 4,000-recipe library, and Aprons-branded prepared meals and entrees sold in-store.
cooking-schoolprepared-mealsgrocery
Privately Owned
Publix Aprons is privately owned, unlike Kroger which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Food BeverageBarilla
Owned by Barilla Group
Italian pasta and food brand owned by Barilla Group, a leading global pasta and sauce manufacturer.
pastafooditalian
Privately Owned
Barilla is privately owned, unlike Kroger which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Food BeverageCelebrations
Owned by Mars, Incorporated
British chocolate assortment brand featuring a variety of chocolate candies, owned by Mars, Incorporated and distributed globally.
chocolateassortmentcandies
Privately Owned
Celebrations is privately owned, unlike Kroger which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Food BeverageFroot Loops
Owned by Ferrero
American colorful ring-shaped corn cereal with fruit-flavored sweetness, introduced in 1963 by Kellogg's. Known for its toucan mascot Toucan Sam and the "Follow your nose" advertising slogan.
breakfast-cerealkids-cerealcolored-cereal
Privately Owned
Froot Loops is privately owned, unlike Kroger which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Food BeverageFrosted Flakes
Owned by Ferrero
American sweetened corn flake cereal introduced in 1952 as Sugar Frosted Flakes by Kellogg's. One of the best-selling breakfast cereals in the United States, famous for the Tony the Tiger mascot.
breakfast-cerealcerealkids-cereal
Privately Owned
Frosted Flakes is privately owned, unlike Kroger which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Food BeverageGalaxy Chocolate
Owned by Mars, Incorporated
British chocolate brand owned by Mars, Incorporated, known for smooth and creamy chocolate bars and confectionery products.
chocolatechocolate-barsconfectionery
Privately Owned
Galaxy Chocolate is privately owned, unlike Kroger which is under a publicly traded parent company.
The Kroger Co. Stock Information
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