Kroger (NYSE: KR) is a publicly traded company owned primarily by institutional investors, with The Vanguard Group as its largest single shareholder at roughly 12.6% of outstanding shares. As of February 2026, Greg Foran took over as CEO, succeeding Ron Sargent who had served as interim CEO since March 2025.
- Kroger reported trailing twelve-month revenue of $147.64 billion as of January 31, 2026.
- The company’s market capitalization stood at approximately $41.4 billion in May 2026.
- Kroger operated 2,697 supermarkets across 35 states and the District of Columbia as of January 2026.
- The company employed more than 403,000 full- and part-time workers at the end of fiscal 2025.
- Institutional investors collectively held about 87.5% of Kroger’s outstanding shares in early 2026.
Kroger Products and Services Overview
Supermarkets
Kroger runs 2,697 grocery stores under banners like Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, Fry’s, Smith’s, King Soopers, and others across 35 states.
Pharmacy Operations
A total of 2,250 Kroger supermarkets include in-store pharmacies offering prescription drugs, immunizations, and health consultations.
Fuel Centers
Kroger operates 1,731 fuel centers connected to its supermarkets, rewarding shoppers with fuel points through its loyalty program.
Private Label Brands
The “Our Brands” portfolio includes Simple Truth (organic and natural), Private Selection (premium), and Kroger brand items. Simple Truth alone generates billions in annual sales.
E-Commerce and Delivery
Kroger offers online ordering with home delivery and curbside pickup across its store network, using automated fulfillment centers to handle digital orders.
Food Manufacturing
The company manufactures and processes food products through its own facilities, supporting its private label lines and reducing dependence on third-party suppliers.
Who Owns Kroger Company
Kroger is a publicly traded corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker KR. No single entity or individual holds a controlling stake. Ownership is spread across institutional investors, retail shareholders, and company insiders.
Institutional investors own the largest combined share, estimated at 87.5% as of early 2026. Retail investors account for about 10.3%, while insiders hold around 2.2%. The ownership structure at Walmart follows a different pattern, where the Walton family retains a controlling interest.
Kroger’s Origin, Founders and Early History
Bernard Kroger founded the Great Western Tea Company in 1883 in Cincinnati, Ohio, using $372 in personal savings. He bought out his initial partner, B.A. Branagan, by 1885 and expanded to four stores.
The company incorporated as Kroger Grocery and Baking Co. in 1902, operating 40 stores by then. Bernard Kroger introduced several firsts for grocery retail, including opening the company’s own bakery in 1901 and acquiring a meat company in 1904.
These moves made Kroger one of the first grocers to sell both bread and meat baked and butchered on-site. Bernard Kroger sold his shares and left the business in 1928, when the chain had grown to 5,575 locations. The company adopted its current name, The Kroger Co., in 1946.
Largest Shareholders of Kroger
How Did Kroger Get Its Name
The company takes its name directly from its founder, Bernard Henry Kroger. Born in 1860 in Cincinnati to German immigrant parents, Kroger dropped out of school at age 13 to work and support his family after the Panic of 1873 devastated their finances.
The original store was called the Great Western Tea Company, reflecting the tea-and-grocery trade common in that era. As the chain grew, it became Kroger Grocery and Baking Co. in 1902 — the first time the Kroger name appeared on the business.
After Bernard Kroger retired in 1928, the company eventually simplified its name to The Kroger Co. in 1946. That name has stuck ever since. Today, Kroger operates under many regional banners — Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, Fry’s — but the parent company still carries its founder’s surname. The history behind Target’s corporate identity took a different path, with the company renaming itself from Dayton-Hudson Corporation in 2000.
Who Is on the Board of Directors for Kroger
Kroger’s board consists of 11 members as of early 2026, with backgrounds spanning retail, logistics, manufacturing, finance, and public policy.
Executive Leadership
Ron Sargent
Board member since 2006. Former Chairman and CEO of Staples, Inc. (1989–2017). Spent 10 years at Kroger early in his career. Also a director at Five Below and Wells Fargo.
Greg Foran
Appointed CEO in February 2026. Previously led Air New Zealand as CEO from 2020 to 2025. Before that, he was President and CEO of Walmart U.S.
Finance and Audit Expertise
Karen M. Hoguet
Long-time finance executive, formerly CFO of Macy’s, Inc. Brings deep experience in retail financial management and capital allocation.
Kevin M. Brown
Background in operations and finance across large-scale enterprises.
Governance and Public Policy
Elaine L. Chao
Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and U.S. Secretary of Labor. Adds government relations and regulatory perspective to the board.
Mark S. Sutton
Former CEO of International Paper. Chairs the Corporate Governance Committee. Appointed Lead Director in March 2025.
Operations, Retail, and Technology
Nora A. Aufreiter
Former Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company with experience in retail strategy and consumer marketing.
Ashok Vemuri
Technology and IT services executive with global operational experience, previously held senior roles at Infosys and iGate.
Anne Gates
Former executive at MGA Entertainment with background in consumer products and global brand management.
Clyde R. Moore
Brings operational expertise to the board from a career in diversified business management.
J. Amanda Sourry Knox
Former President of Unilever North America with experience in consumer packaged goods and supply chain management.
Kroger’s Mission Statement and Corporate Purpose
Kroger’s stated purpose is “To Feed the Human Spirit™.” The company uses this phrase across its investor communications, store branding, and community outreach programs. Its formal mission reads: to lead in the distribution and merchandising of food, pharmacy, health and personal care items, and related products and services.
A large piece of that mission is the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative, which aims to eliminate food waste across Kroger’s operations and direct surplus food to communities facing hunger. The company serves over 11 million customers daily through both physical stores and its e-commerce platform. Competitors like Albertsons operate under different mission frameworks but share a similar customer base in the U.S. grocery market.
Kroger’s values emphasize honesty, respect, inclusion, and safety. The company ties leadership incentives to its purpose-driven goals, including associate welfare and sustainable business practices. Costco’s ownership and mission model differs from Kroger’s in several ways, particularly around its membership-driven revenue structure.
FAQs
What is the net worth of Kroger?
Kroger’s market capitalization was approximately $41.4 billion as of May 2026. The company reported trailing twelve-month revenue of $147.64 billion for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2026.
Is Kroger an American company?
Yes. Kroger is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was founded in 1883 by Bernard Kroger and operates exclusively in the United States, running 2,697 supermarkets across 35 states and the District of Columbia.
What is Kroger’s market cap in 2026?
Kroger’s market cap in May 2026 was roughly $41.4 billion. The stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker KR, with a 52-week range between $58.60 and $76.58.
Who owns Kroger?
Kroger is a publicly traded company. The Vanguard Group is the largest shareholder at about 12.6%. BlackRock, Berkshire Hathaway, Wellington Management, and State Street also hold major stakes.
When was Kroger founded?
Bernard Kroger opened the first store — originally called the Great Western Tea Company — in 1883 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company incorporated as Kroger Grocery and Baking Co. in 1902 and became The Kroger Co. in 1946.
