Are you curious about the vast empire of one of America's largest grocery retailers? You've come to the right place! Kroger isn't just a single store; it's a massive network of supermarkets operating under many different names across the United States. Let's embark on a journey to uncover just how extensive Kroger's presence is, step by step.
How Many Stores Does Kroger Own in the US? A Comprehensive Guide
Kroger, officially The Kroger Co., is a retail giant with a rich history dating back to 1883. From a single store in Cincinnati, Ohio, it has grown into one of the world's largest retailers. Understanding their store count isn't as simple as just looking for "Kroger" signs, as they operate under a diverse portfolio of banners.
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| How Many Stores Does Kroger Own In The Us |
Step 1: Let's Start with a Quick Guess!
Before we dive into the exact numbers, take a moment to consider: how many Kroger-owned stores do you think there are in the United States? Keep that number in mind as we go through the details. You might be surprised by the actual figure!
Step 2: Unveiling the Current Numbers
Kroger's store count is a dynamic figure, subject to ongoing acquisitions, divestitures, and new store openings. However, based on the latest available data, as of June 30, 2025, The Kroger Co. operates approximately 2,903 stores across 37 states and territories in the United States.
It's important to note that this number represents the entire family of Kroger-owned stores, not just those bearing the "Kroger" name. We'll explore these different banners in the next step.
QuickTip: Don’t ignore the small print.
Sub-heading: Why the Number Fluctuates
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Acquisitions: Kroger frequently acquires other grocery chains, adding their store counts to its portfolio. This is a key driver of their growth.
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Divestitures: Occasionally, Kroger may sell off certain banners or individual stores, which can lead to a slight decrease in the total count.
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New Store Openings: Like any growing retail business, Kroger continuously opens new stores in strategic locations.
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Closures: Less frequently, some underperforming stores might be closed.
Step 3: Discovering the Kroger Family of Banners
This is where it gets really interesting! Kroger's vast reach is largely due to its strategy of acquiring and operating various regional and national grocery chains under their original brand names. This allows them to maintain local loyalty while benefiting from the economies of scale of a large corporation.
Here are some of the most prominent banners under The Kroger Co. umbrella:
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Kroger: The flagship brand, widely recognized across many states.
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Dillons: A popular banner, particularly strong in the Midwest.
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Food 4 Less: A discount supermarket chain, primarily in the Western and Midwestern U.S.
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Foods Co.: The Northern California equivalent of Food 4 Less.
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Fred Meyer: A multi-department store offering groceries, apparel, electronics, and more, primarily in the Pacific Northwest.
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Fry's: A dominant grocery chain in Arizona.
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Gerbes: Found in Missouri.
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Harris Teeter: An upscale grocery chain, primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern U.S.
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King Soopers: A major grocery chain in Colorado and Wyoming.
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Mariano's: An upscale grocery chain primarily in the Chicago area.
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Pay Less Super Markets: Operating in Indiana.
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Pick 'n Save: A prominent banner in Wisconsin.
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QFC (Quality Food Centers): Primarily in Washington and Oregon.
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Ralphs: A major grocery chain in Southern California.
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Roundy's: The parent company for Mariano's and Pick 'n Save.
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Ruler Foods: A discount format, similar to a limited-assortment store.
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Smith's: Found in the Intermountain West, including Utah, Nevada, and New Mexico.
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JayC Food Stores: Operating in Indiana.
Beyond these well-known grocery banners, Kroger also operates:
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Fuel Centers: Over 1,500 fuel centers, often co-located with their supermarkets, providing a convenient one-stop shopping experience.
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Pharmacies: More than 2,250 pharmacies within their stores, offering prescription services and health care.
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Manufacturing Facilities: 35 food production or manufacturing facilities that produce their high-quality private-label products.
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Jewelry Stores: Fred Meyer Jewelers and Littman Jewelers are also part of the Kroger family.
Step 4: Geographic Footprint – Where Do These Stores Call Home?
Kroger's presence spans a significant portion of the United States. While they have stores in 37 states and territories, their distribution isn't uniform.
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Sub-heading: Top States by Store Count (as of June 30, 2025)
QuickTip: Reading carefully once is better than rushing twice.
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California: With approximately 297 stores, California leads the way, representing about 10% of all Kroger Company stores in the US.
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Texas: Following closely, Texas has around 208 stores.
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Ohio: Kroger's home state, Ohio, boasts approximately 205 stores.
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Georgia: With roughly 167 stores, Georgia is another key market.
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Washington: Around 166 stores.
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North Carolina: Approximately 158 stores.
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Colorado: Roughly 156 stores.
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Indiana: About 150 stores.
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Arizona: Around 134 stores.
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Virginia: Approximately 126 stores.
This geographic diversity allows Kroger to cater to a wide range of consumer preferences and regional needs.
Step 5: The Bigger Picture – Kroger's Scale in the Retail Landscape
Understanding Kroger's store count isn't just about a number; it's about appreciating its immense scale and influence in the American retail sector. With annual sales exceeding $132.5 billion, Kroger is consistently ranked among the world's largest retailers. Its extensive network allows it to compete effectively with other major players like Walmart and Albertsons.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to identify if a grocery store is owned by Kroger?
You can identify a Kroger-owned store by looking for the "Kroger Family of Companies" logo or checking the list of banners provided in Step 3. Often, their loyalty programs or store brands (like Simple Truth or Private Selection) are a giveaway.
How to find the nearest Kroger-owned store to me?
Tip: Keep the flow, don’t jump randomly.
The easiest way is to use the store locator on the official Kroger website (kroger.com) or the website of any specific banner you're looking for (e.g., fredmeyer.com, harristeeter.com). Most of these sites have a "Find a Store" feature.
How to understand the different Kroger banners?
Each banner typically maintains its distinct brand identity and caters to specific regional markets or customer segments (e.g., upscale, discount). While the underlying ownership is Kroger, the in-store experience and product selection might vary.
How to use Kroger's digital coupons and loyalty programs across different banners?
Many of Kroger's loyalty programs and digital coupons are integrated across their various banners, but it's always best to check the specific terms and conditions for each banner or program. Often, your Kroger Plus Card or digital account works at multiple locations.
How to apply for a job at a Kroger-owned store?
You can visit the careers section of The Kroger Co. website (
QuickTip: Focus more on the ‘how’ than the ‘what’.
How to contact Kroger customer service?
You can find contact information for Kroger customer service, including phone numbers and online contact forms, on their corporate website (thekrogerco.com) or the website of the specific store banner you wish to contact.
How to learn more about Kroger's sustainability efforts?
Kroger is committed to sustainability. You can find detailed information about their environmental initiatives, community engagement, and responsible sourcing on the "Sustainability" section of their corporate website.
How to invest in Kroger stock?
Kroger is a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol KR. You can invest in their stock through a brokerage account.
How to differentiate Kroger from other major grocery chains?
Kroger distinguishes itself through its vast portfolio of banners, extensive private label brands (like Simple Truth), strong loyalty programs, and a growing emphasis on e-commerce and home delivery services.
How to stay updated on Kroger's latest news and store count changes?
You can follow The Kroger Co.'s official news releases on their investor relations website, subscribe to industry news outlets, or regularly check data aggregation sites that track retail store counts.
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