Have you ever wondered just how vast the Kroger empire truly is? It's more than just your local grocery store; it's a sprawling network of supermarkets and related businesses that touch millions of lives across the United States. Let's embark on a journey to uncover the impressive scale of Kroger's presence, from its countless store locations to the diverse family of banners it operates under.
Step 1: Understanding Kroger's Core Identity
Before we dive into the numbers, it's crucial to grasp what Kroger represents. It's not just a single brand; it's a major player in the American retail landscape.
What is The Kroger Co.?
The Kroger Co. is one of the world's largest food retailers, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. It operates a vast network of supermarkets and multi-department stores, along with pharmacies, fuel centers, and even food production facilities. Their core mission revolves around making fresh food accessible to customers across the nation.
Step 2: Unveiling the Total Number of Kroger Locations
This is the big question, and the answer is dynamic, as store counts can fluctuate due to openings, closures, and acquisitions. However, we can provide a very current and accurate picture.
The Latest Figures: How Many Stores?
As of recent reports (primarily from early to mid-2025, reflecting fiscal 2024 and plans for 2025), The Kroger Co. operates more than 2,700 stores across the United States. Some sources indicate this number can be closer to 2,800 or even approaching 2,900 when considering all banners and subsidiaries. For instance, as of February 3, 2024, Kroger operated 2,722 supermarkets. The company has also announced plans to open around 30 new stores in 2025.
It's important to note that this number encompasses all the different brand names under the Kroger umbrella.
Step 3: Exploring the Breadth of Kroger's Presence: States and Banners
Kroger's reach extends far beyond its namesake stores. It operates in a significant portion of the country, utilizing a diverse portfolio of beloved local and regional banners.
How Many States Does Kroger Operate In?
Kroger and its subsidiaries operate in 35 states and the District of Columbia. This widespread presence ensures that a large percentage of the U.S. population has access to a Kroger-affiliated store.
The Kroger Family of Banners: More Than Just "Kroger"
One of the key reasons for Kroger's extensive reach is its strategy of acquiring and operating under various regional and local banner names. This allows them to maintain a local feel while leveraging the strength of a national company. Some of the most well-known banners include:
Kroger (the flagship brand)
Ralphs (California)
King Soopers (Colorado, Wyoming)
Fred Meyer (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington)
Harris Teeter (Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, District of Columbia)
Fry's (Arizona)
Smith's (Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming)
Mariano's (Illinois)
Pick 'n Save (Wisconsin)
QFC (Oregon, Washington)
Dillons (Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska)
Food 4 Less (California, Illinois, Indiana)
Jay C Food Store (Indiana)
Pay Less Super Markets (Indiana)
Roundy's (Wisconsin, Illinois)
Gerbes (Missouri)
Bakers (Nebraska)
City Market (Colorado, Wyoming, Utah)
This diverse portfolio allows Kroger to cater to specific regional preferences and maintain strong brand loyalty in various markets.
Step 4: Beyond the Supermarket: Kroger's Extended Footprint
Kroger's business model extends beyond just selling groceries. They strategically integrate other services to provide a comprehensive shopping experience.
Kroger's Pharmacies
As of February 3, 2024, 2,257 of Kroger's supermarkets had pharmacies. This highlights their significant role in providing healthcare services to communities.
Kroger's Fuel Centers
To further enhance convenience, Kroger also operates a large number of fuel centers. As of February 3, 2024, they had 1,665 fuel centers, often located adjacent to their grocery stores, offering a one-stop-shop for customers.
Kroger's Food Production Facilities
Interestingly, Kroger also operates its own food production or manufacturing facilities. This allows them to produce a significant portion of their high-quality private-label products, offering value to customers and control over their supply chain. As of early 2024, they owned 33 food production plants.
Step 5: Looking Ahead: The Evolution of Kroger's Footprint
Kroger's store count isn't static. The company continuously evaluates its real estate portfolio, with plans for new store openings and occasional closures.
New Store Openings
Kroger is actively investing in its physical presence. For instance, they completed 29 major store projects in fiscal 2024, and plan to complete around 30 new major store projects in fiscal 2025. This ongoing investment signals a commitment to growth and market expansion.
Strategic Market Presence
Kroger's strategy involves focusing on higher-growth geographies and continuously improving its share in existing markets. This strategic approach ensures that their extensive network remains relevant and competitive.
Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to Kroger's locations:
How to find a Kroger store near me?
You can easily find a Kroger store near you by using the "Store Locator" feature on the official Kroger website (
How to check Kroger store hours?
Once you've found a specific Kroger location using their store locator or a mapping app, the store's hours of operation will typically be displayed on that same page.
How to get directions to a Kroger store?
Most online store locators and mapping applications provide a "Get Directions" button or link that will generate turn-by-turn directions from your current location to the selected Kroger store.
How to identify different Kroger banner names?
Kroger operates under various banner names like Ralphs, King Soopers, Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, and more. You can often identify them by their distinct branding and logos, though they are all part of The Kroger Co.
How to tell if a store is owned by Kroger?
If you're unsure if a specific grocery store is part of the Kroger family, you can often find information about its parent company on its "About Us" page on its website, or by searching online for "Is [Store Name] owned by Kroger?".
How to contact a specific Kroger store?
The Kroger store locator usually provides the phone number for each individual store. You can also find this information on local directory listings or by searching online for the specific store's name and location.
How to know if a Kroger store has a pharmacy?
Most Kroger supermarkets are equipped with pharmacies. When using the online store locator, look for an icon or notation indicating "Pharmacy" services available at that particular location.
How to find Kroger stores with fuel centers?
Similar to pharmacies, Kroger's online store locator will often indicate if a specific store also has an associated fuel center.
How to apply for a job at a Kroger location?
You can typically find information about job openings and apply online through The Kroger Co.'s official careers website, which is usually linked from their main corporate site.
How to provide feedback about a Kroger store location?
Kroger usually provides a "Contact Us" or "Customer Service" section on their website where you can submit feedback, comments, or concerns about a specific store or your shopping experience.
