The Kroger Co.

The Kroger Co.

The Kroger Co. was founded in 1883 by Bernard Kroger in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a single grocery store that expanded into the country's first full-chain grocery operation. The company remains headquartered in Cincinnati and has operated under the leadership of Rodney McMullen since 2015, when he succeeded David Dillon after a 35-year career at the firm. Kroger operates through a multi-format strategy encompassing traditional supermarkets, marketplace stores, discount banners like Food 4 Less, and its rapidly growing e-commerce channel, which generated over $12B in digital sales in 2025. The firm maintains 37 food manufacturing plants that produce roughly 40% of its private-label goods, including brands like Simple Truth and Private Selection. Its logistics network includes 29 distribution centers and 11 fulfillment centers, supporting its in-store and online operations across 35 states. The company also operates 2,200 pharmacies and 200 fuel centers, creating a diversified revenue base beyond grocery margins. Kroger employs approximately 465,000 people, making it one of the largest private employers in the United States. The company completed its merger with Albertsons in October 2025 after a protracted regulatory battle, combining the two largest U.S. supermarket chains into a combined entity with roughly 5,000 stores and $170B in sales. The merger required Kroger to divest 579 stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers to address antitrust concerns. Kroger's structure differs from pure-play grocery rivals through its vertical integration — owning manufacturing, logistics, and retail under one roof. The firm operates an employee unionized workforce in many markets, creating a governance dynamic distinct from non-union competitors like Walmart.