Last reviewed: October 23, 2026. Sources: The Kroger Co. history page, Kroger’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2026, and Kroger’s Points and Boost FAQs.
The Kroger Co. runs grocery stores under about 20 names besides Kroger itself. The best known are Ralphs, Fred Meyer, King Soopers, Fry’s, Smith’s, Dillons, QFC, Harris Teeter, Mariano’s and Pick ‘n Save.
Together these make up what Kroger calls its “family of companies.” According to its latest annual report, Kroger operated 2,697 supermarkets in 35 states and the District of Columbia as of January 31, 2026.
This page lists each store brand, where you’ll mostly find it, how it joined Kroger, and what being part of the family means for your points and Boost membership.
Which stores does Kroger own?
Kroger’s annual report says it operates supermarkets “under a variety of local banner names.” It doesn’t print a full list there, so the table below combines the banners named on Kroger’s history page with ones named in its Boost FAQ.
| Store name | Main areas | How it joined Kroger |
|---|---|---|
| Kroger | Midwest, South and Mid-Atlantic | Original company, 1883 |
| Ralphs | Southern California | Fred Meyer, Inc. deal, 1999 |
| Food 4 Less | Southern California and the Chicago area | Fred Meyer, Inc. deal, 1999 |
| Fred Meyer | Pacific Northwest and Alaska | Fred Meyer, Inc. deal, 1999 |
| QFC | Seattle and Portland areas | Fred Meyer, Inc. deal, 1999 |
| Smith’s | Utah, Nevada and nearby states | Fred Meyer, Inc. deal, 1999 |
| King Soopers | Colorado | Dillon Companies deal, 1983 |
| City Market | Colorado mountain towns and nearby states | Dillon Companies deal, 1983 |
| Fry’s | Arizona | Dillon Companies deal, 1983 |
| Dillons | Kansas | Dillon Companies deal, 1983 |
| Gerbes | Missouri | Dillon Companies deal, 1983 |
| Jay C | Southern Indiana | 1999 |
| Owens Market | Indiana | 1999 |
| Pay Less | Indiana | 1999 |
| Baker’s | Omaha, Nebraska | 2001 |
| Harris Teeter | Southeast and Mid-Atlantic | 2014 |
| Mariano’s | Chicago area | Roundy’s deal, 2015 |
| Pick ‘n Save | Wisconsin | Roundy’s deal, 2015 |
| Metro Market | Wisconsin | Roundy’s deal, 2015 |
| Ruler | Indiana and Illinois | Named in Kroger’s Boost FAQ |
The “main areas” column is a general guide, not an exact store map. Store footprints change, and some brands have stores outside the areas listed, so check each brand’s own store locator for current locations.
How did Kroger build its family of stores?
It started small. Kroger’s history page says that in 1883, Barney Kroger “invested his life savings of $372 to open a single grocery store at 66 Pearl Street in downtown Cincinnati.”
Most of today’s family came through four big deals. Each one added several regional chains at once.
1983: Dillon Companies
Kroger’s merger with Dillon Companies brought in Dillons, King Soopers, Fry’s, City Market and Gerbes. That gave Kroger a large presence in Colorado, Arizona, Kansas and Missouri.
1999: Fred Meyer, Inc.
This was the largest step west. Fred Meyer, Inc. owned Smith’s, Ralphs, Food 4 Less and QFC, as well as its own Fred Meyer stores.
Kroger’s history page describes Fred Meyer’s multi-department stores as “huge, at more than 161,000 square feet.” They sell groceries alongside clothing, home goods and more. The same year, Kroger also added Jay C, Owens Market and Pay Less.
2014: Harris Teeter
Harris Teeter brought Kroger into more of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. It still runs under its own name, with its own online ordering service, Harris Teeter ExpressLane.
Kroger also bought the online retailer Vitacost in 2014, according to its history page.
2015: Roundy’s
The Roundy’s deal added Pick ‘n Save, Metro Market and Mariano’s. These gave Kroger a stronger position in Wisconsin and the Chicago area.
Later, Kroger added the Home Chef meal-kit company in 2018. Its Boost page also refers to Murray’s Cheese, another Kroger business.
What happened with Albertsons?
Kroger had agreed to merge with Albertsons Companies, the owner of Safeway and other chains. That deal didn’t happen. Kroger’s latest annual report refers to “the terminated transaction with Albertsons.”
So Safeway, Albertsons, Vons and Jewel-Osco are not part of the Kroger family. Kroger points don’t work there.
How big is Kroger today?
Kroger’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2026 gives these figures.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Supermarkets | 2,697 |
| Supermarkets with pharmacies | 2,250 |
| Supermarkets with fuel centers | 1,731 |
| States served | 35, plus the District of Columbia |
| Food production plants | 33 |
| Employees | More than 403,000 full- and part-time |
| Stores offering Pickup or Harris Teeter ExpressLane | 2,408 |
Kroger’s own web pages round some of these differently. The corporate site says “more than 2,700 stores” and “more than 1,700 fuel centers.” The annual report figures above are the precise ones.
The 33 food plants include 14 dairies and nine deli or bakery plants, according to the report. They make many of Kroger’s own-brand products.
What kinds of stores does Kroger run?
Not every Kroger family store looks the same. Kroger’s history page describes how its formats changed over time.
- Combination stores: In the 1980s, Kroger says its supermarkets “evolved into combination stores,” the format most of its supermarkets grew into.
- Marketplace stores: A larger format that Kroger’s history page names separately from its standard supermarkets.
- Multi-department stores: The Fred Meyer format, which Kroger describes as more than 161,000 square feet.
Services vary by location. According to the annual report, 2,250 of Kroger’s 2,697 supermarkets had pharmacies and 1,731 had fuel centers as of January 31, 2026.
That means roughly five in six Kroger family supermarkets have a pharmacy, and about two in three have a fuel center. Check the store’s page before you go if you need either one.
Kroger’s online and delivery businesses
The Kroger family also includes businesses you won’t see as a store sign.
| Business | What it is | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Vitacost | Online retailer, acquired 2014 | Kroger history page |
| Home Chef | Meal-kit company, acquired 2018 | Kroger history page |
| Murray’s Cheese | Specialty cheese business, listed on Kroger’s Boost page | Kroger Boost page |
| Harris Teeter ExpressLane | Harris Teeter’s online ordering service | Kroger 10-K |
Kroger also delivers through outside partners. Its Boost FAQ says some delivery orders are fulfilled by third parties such as Instacart, depending on the time slot.
Kroger’s investor news pages list newer partnerships too, including a 2025 announcement with DoorDash and a 2026 launch of delivery on Uber apps nationwide.
Shopping at a sister store while traveling
Moving or on a road trip, you may land near a Kroger family store with a different name. Your account comes with you.
- Find the local brand using the table at the top of this page.
- Give the same Kroger card or Alt ID at checkout.
- Use your points there on groceries or at a participating fuel center.
- If you plan to shop there often, consider updating your preferred store in your account.
Prices, weekly ads and digital coupons can differ from brand to brand, since each banner runs its own promotions. Your points balance stays the same.
What are Kroger’s own brands?
Kroger’s store brands, which it calls “Our Brands,” are sold across the family of stores. These are product labels, not store names.
- Kroger Brand: everyday groceries and household basics
- Simple Truth: natural and organic products
- Private Selection: premium products
- Smart Way: Kroger’s budget line
Kroger’s “Our Fresh & Quality Guarantees” page covers Kroger Brand, Simple Truth and Private Selection items. If one “didn’t meet your expectations,” you can ask for a replacement or refund. Our Kroger receipts and refunds guide explains how.
Do Kroger points work at all Kroger family stores?
Yes, at participating locations. Kroger’s Points FAQ says “your Points travel with you across our family of brands.”
It adds that you can redeem them “at any participating Kroger Family Store, Kroger Family Fuel Center, or partner station nationwide.” So points earned at a King Soopers in Denver work at a Ralphs fuel center in Los Angeles.
You use the same card or Alt ID at each brand. Our Kroger Points guide explains how points are earned and when they expire, and our guide on where to use Kroger fuel points covers the pump.
Does Kroger Boost work at every family store?
No. Kroger’s Boost FAQ says benefits are “not available at any Ruler & Harris Teeter locations.”
Boost also doesn’t apply to fuel, pharmacy prescriptions, Fred Meyer Jewelers, The Little Clinic, homechef.com or Murray’s Cheese. Our Kroger Boost guide covers the full list.
Do Kroger gift cards work at the other stores?
Kroger’s own pages refer to “Kroger Family of Companies gift cards” as one category. Its Boost FAQ says a Boost gift card “works just like any Kroger Co Family of Companies gift cards.”
Note that these family gift cards don’t earn points when you buy them. Kroger’s Points FAQ excludes them from the 2-points-per-dollar gift card rate.
Does each Kroger store have its own survey?
Kroger stores print a survey invitation on the receipt that points to kroger.com/feedback. Our Kroger feedback survey guide walks through it with screenshots.
We haven’t confirmed that every family brand uses the same survey address. Some may print their own link, or none at all. The safe rule is to use exactly the address printed on your receipt.
Does each brand have its own website?
Yes. Each banner runs its own site and app, such as Ralphs.com, FredMeyer.com and KingSoopers.com, with the store’s own weekly ad and digital coupons.
Because all of them belong to the same rewards program, your points carry across, as Kroger’s Points FAQ explains. For customer service, start with the brand you shop at, or call Kroger at 1-800-576-4377. Our customer service guide has hours and other contacts.
How to tell if a store is part of Kroger
Store signs rarely say “Kroger.” A few quick checks help.
- Look for Kroger’s own brands on the shelves: Kroger Brand, Simple Truth and Private Selection.
- Check whether the store accepts your Kroger card or Alt ID at checkout.
- Check the table above, which lists the banners Kroger names in its own history and Boost pages.
If the store takes your card and gives member prices, you’re in the family. Your points will count there too.
Common questions about the Kroger family of companies
Is Ralphs owned by Kroger?
Yes. Ralphs became part of Kroger through the 1999 Fred Meyer, Inc. deal, according to Kroger’s history page.
Is Harris Teeter part of Kroger?
Yes. Kroger added Harris Teeter in 2014. Kroger Boost benefits don’t apply at Harris Teeter, though.
Does Kroger own Safeway or Albertsons?
No. The planned merger with Albertsons Companies was terminated, so Safeway, Albertsons and their sister chains are separate from Kroger.
How many stores does Kroger have?
Kroger’s annual report lists 2,697 supermarkets as of January 31, 2026, across 35 states and the District of Columbia.
Can I use my Kroger card at Fred Meyer or King Soopers?
Kroger says your points travel across its family of brands at participating locations, so your card or Alt ID works there.
Is Food 4 Less owned by Kroger?
Yes. Kroger’s history page lists Food 4 Less among the chains that came with Fred Meyer, Inc. in 1999.
Are Mariano’s and Pick ‘n Save Kroger stores?
Yes. Both joined Kroger through the 2015 Roundy’s deal, along with Metro Market.
Is QFC part of Kroger?
Yes. QFC came with the 1999 Fred Meyer, Inc. deal and operates mainly around Seattle and Portland.
Does Kroger own Aldi, Publix or Walmart?
No. These are separate companies with their own loyalty programs, and Kroger points can’t be used at them.
Do Kroger family stores share the same prices?
Not always. Each banner runs its own weekly ad and digital coupons, so a sale at Ralphs may differ from one at Kroger. Your points balance is shared, though.
Where is Kroger’s headquarters?
Kroger is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, at 1014 Vine Street.
KrogerFeedbacks.us is an independent guide and is not affiliated with The Kroger Co. or any of its store brands. Store names are trademarks of their owners and are used here only to describe the stores.