Kroger CEO – Rodney McMullen (Age – 64)

UPDATE: Rodney McMullen served as Chairman & CEO of Kroger from 2014 to March 2025, when he resigned following a Board investigation into personal conduct. The current CEO is Greg Foran (appointed February 2026). Read about Kroger CEO Greg Foran — Salary, Age, Email & Net Worth →

The Kroger Co., America’s largest supermarket chain and one of the biggest retailers in the world, has annual revenues exceeding $147 billion and employs nearly 420,000 associates across approximately 2,700 stores. Rodney McMullen served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kroger from 2014 until his resignation in March 2025. A 46-year Kroger veteran who started as a part-time stock clerk in 1978, McMullen rose through every level of the company’s management. Under his leadership, Kroger invested heavily in digital transformation, launching delivery and pickup services, and pursued a $24.6 billion merger with Albertsons that was ultimately blocked by regulators.

Read on to discover former Kroger CEO email address, Rodney McMullen net worth in 2026, salary and compensation, career history, wife & family, and more.

Rodney McMullen Kroger CEO

Rodney McMullen – Quick Facts

Rodney McMullen — At a Glance
Full Name W. Rodney McMullen
Position Former Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Company The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR)
Age 64 years (born 1961)
Education B.S. & M.S. in Accounting, University of Kentucky
Net Worth (2026) ~$100–130 Million
Total Compensation (FY2024) $15.6 Million
CEO Tenure January 2014 – March 2025
Chairman Tenure January 2015 – March 2025
Hometown Pineville, Kentucky
Successor Greg Foran (CEO since February 2026)

Kroger Competitors

The Kroger Co. operates in the highly competitive U.S. grocery and supermarket industry. The key competitors of Kroger include:

  • Walmart – largest retailer in the world, dominant grocery market share
  • Albertsons (Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco) – second-largest U.S. supermarket operator
  • Costco – leading warehouse club with growing grocery sales
  • Amazon / Whole Foods – e-commerce giant with expanding grocery delivery
  • Aldi – fast-growing German discount grocery chain in the U.S.
  • Publix – employee-owned supermarket chain dominant in the Southeast
  • Target – general merchandise retailer with significant grocery operations
  • Ahold Delhaize (Food Lion, Giant, Stop & Shop) – major East Coast grocery operator

Rodney McMullen Net Worth 2026 – Kroger CEO Salary

As of 2026, Rodney McMullen’s net worth is estimated at approximately $100–130 million USD, based primarily on his substantial Kroger stock holdings accumulated over a 46-year career with the company. At the time of his departure, McMullen owned approximately 3.8–6.6 million shares of Kroger stock. At Kroger’s current stock price of approximately $66 per share, his holdings alone could be valued at over $250 million, though actual net worth depends on shares sold, taxes, and other personal assets and liabilities.

McMullen’s total compensation for fiscal year 2024 was $15.6 million, down slightly from $15.7 million in fiscal 2023. As part of his resignation in March 2025, McMullen forfeited all unvested equity awards and was not eligible for a 2024 performance bonus.

Kroger CEO Compensation Breakdown (FY2024)

Component Amount (USD) Share
Base Salary $1,450,000 9.3%
Stock Awards $10,600,000 67.9%
Stock Options $2,650,000 17.0%
Cash Incentive (Bonus) $0 0%
Other Compensation $900,000 5.8%
TOTAL $15,600,000 100%
Key Insight: Only 9.3% of Rodney McMullen’s FY2024 compensation came from his base salary, with the remaining 90.7% tied to performance through stock awards, stock options, and incentive pay. Notably, he received no cash bonus for FY2024. Following his March 2025 resignation, McMullen forfeited all unvested equity and his 2024 performance bonus, losing an estimated $11 million in total forfeited compensation.

Kroger Net Worth 2026 – Is Kroger Profitable?

Yes, Kroger is a highly profitable company. During McMullen’s final full fiscal year (FY2024, ending February 1, 2025), The Kroger Co. reported net earnings of $2.665 billion on total sales of $147.1 billion. As of February 2026, Kroger’s market capitalization stands at approximately $44 billion, making it one of the most valuable grocery companies in the world.

Kroger Financial Summary (FY2024)

Metric Value YoY Change
Market Capitalization ~$44B
Total Revenue $147.1B ▲ 1.2%
Net Income $2.665B ▲ 23.1%
Gross Margin 22.3% ▲ 50 bps
Adj. FIFO Operating Profit $4.7B ▲ Expanding
Identical Sales (ex-fuel) +1.5% ▲ Positive
Adjusted EPS $4.47 ▲ Growth
Employees ~420,000
Stores ~2,700
NYSE Ticker KR
Digital Transformation: Under McMullen’s leadership, Kroger’s digital sales exceeded $13 billion in FY2024, with 11% growth in the fourth quarter. The company’s media business generated $1.35 billion in operating profit, representing nearly 30% of total operating income — a testament to Kroger’s evolution beyond traditional grocery retail.

Kroger CEO Email Address | Rodney McMullen Contact

Below are the contact details and social media profiles for former Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen. Note that McMullen resigned from Kroger in March 2025, so his corporate email may no longer be active.

Contact Information
Email Address [email protected] (may be inactive)
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/rodneymcmullen
Corporate HQ 1014 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone (Corporate) (513) 762-4000
Customer Service 1-800-576-4377
Current CEO Greg Foran (since February 2026)

Career & Education – Company, University, & College

Rodney McMullen’s entire career was spent at The Kroger Co., where he worked for 46 years from 1978 to 2025. He started as a part-time stock clerk in a Lexington, Kentucky store while attending the University of Kentucky, and rose through the ranks to become the company’s top executive — one of the most remarkable “stock clerk to CEO” stories in American corporate history.

After graduating, McMullen moved to Charlotte, North Carolina as an accounting supervisor for Kroger. His financial acumen propelled him through a series of promotions: he was named Vice President of Planning and Capital Management in 1989, VP of Control and Financial Services in 1993, and Group VP and Chief Financial Officer in 1995. In 2000, he became Executive Vice President for Strategy, Planning, and Finance. He was elevated to Vice Chairman in 2003, President and Chief Operating Officer in 2009, CEO in January 2014, and Chairman of the Board in January 2015.

Rodney McMullen Career Timeline

Period Role Company
1978 Part-Time Stock Clerk Kroger
1982 Accounting Supervisor Kroger
1989 VP, Planning & Capital Management Kroger
1993 VP, Control & Financial Services Kroger
1995 Group VP & Chief Financial Officer Kroger
2000 EVP, Strategy, Planning & Finance Kroger
2003 Vice Chairman Kroger
2009–2013 President & Chief Operating Officer Kroger
2014–2025 Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Kroger

During his tenure as CEO, McMullen oversaw Kroger’s digital transformation and the company’s $24.6 billion proposed merger with Albertsons, which was announced in October 2022 but ultimately blocked by federal regulators in December 2024. He also launched Kroger’s partnership with the British online grocer Ocado to build automated fulfillment centers, and invested heavily in private-label brands, which grew to represent over $30 billion in annual sales.

Education

University Degree / Program Website
University of Kentucky Bachelor of Science in Accounting uky.edu
University of Kentucky Master of Science in Accounting uky.edu

McMullen was the first person in his family to attend college. He worked part-time at a Kroger store in Lexington to help pay for his education, and that part-time job turned into a 46-year career that took him to the very top of one of America’s largest companies.

Rodney McMullen Wiki – Age, Wife, Family, & More

Former Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen (age 64, born 1961) hails from Pineville, Kentucky, a small town in Bell County in the Appalachian region. He grew up on his family’s farm and was the first in his family to attend college. McMullen is married to Kathryn King McMullen, whom he met while both were students at the University of Kentucky. The couple resides in the Cincinnati, Ohio area and does not have children.

Notable Achievements & Recognitions

  • 46-Year Kroger Veteran – Rose from part-time stock clerk (1978) to Chairman & CEO, one of the longest single-company careers for any Fortune 500 CEO
  • Digital Transformation Leader – Built Kroger’s digital business to over $13 billion in annual sales through delivery, pickup, and the Ocado automated fulfillment partnership
  • Business Roundtable Member – Active participant in shaping U.S. business policy as head of the nation’s largest supermarket chain
  • Restock Kroger Initiative – Launched a multi-year strategic plan focused on redefining the grocery customer experience through data science and personalization
  • Cincinnati Business Leader – Recognized as a leading voice in the greater Cincinnati business community and philanthropic causes
  • Revenue Growth – Under his leadership (2014–2025), Kroger’s annual revenue grew from approximately $108 billion to over $147 billion

Departure from Kroger

On March 3, 2025, Kroger announced that McMullen had resigned as Chairman and CEO following a Board investigation into “certain personal conduct” that was inconsistent with Kroger’s Policy on Business Ethics. The Board stated that McMullen’s conduct was not related to the company’s financial performance, operations, or reporting, and did not involve any Kroger associates. As part of his departure, McMullen forfeited all unvested equity awards and his 2024 performance bonus. Ron Sargent, Kroger’s lead independent director and former Staples CEO, served as interim CEO until Greg Foran was appointed as CEO in February 2026.

About The Kroger Co.

The Kroger Co. is an American retail company founded in 1883 by Bernard Kroger in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the largest supermarket chain in the United States by revenue and the second-largest general retailer after Walmart. Kroger operates a family of stores under nearly two dozen banner names across 35 states and the District of Columbia.

Banner / Division Markets Description
Kroger Midwest, South, West Flagship supermarket brand
Ralphs Southern California Major West Coast grocery chain
Fred Meyer Pacific Northwest Multi-department superstore format
Harris Teeter Mid-Atlantic, Southeast Upscale supermarket chain
King Soopers / City Market Colorado, Wyoming Mountain region supermarkets
Simple Truth / Private Label Nationwide Natural/organic brand; $30B+ in private-label sales

Kroger trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KR. The company employs nearly 420,000 associates, operates approximately 2,700 supermarkets, and also runs fuel centers, pharmacies, and jewelry stores. Kroger is headquartered at 1014 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who was the CEO of Kroger before Greg Foran?

Rodney McMullen served as Chairman and CEO of The Kroger Co. from January 2014 until his resignation in March 2025. He was succeeded on an interim basis by Ron Sargent, and then permanently by Greg Foran, who was appointed CEO in February 2026. McMullen’s departure followed a Board investigation into personal conduct inconsistent with Kroger’s business ethics policy.

What is Rodney McMullen’s net worth in 2026?

As of 2026, Rodney McMullen’s net worth is estimated at $100–130 million USD, based primarily on his substantial Kroger stock holdings accumulated over a 46-year career with the company. He owned millions of shares of Kroger stock, though the exact current value depends on shares sold since his departure.

What was Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen’s salary?

Rodney McMullen’s total compensation for fiscal year 2024 was approximately $15.6 million, including a $1.45 million base salary, $10.6 million in stock awards, and $2.65 million in stock options. He received no cash bonus for FY2024. In prior years, his total compensation ranged from $15–20 million annually.

What is Kroger CEO’s email address?

Rodney McMullen’s corporate email while CEO of Kroger was [email protected], though this address may no longer be active following his March 2025 resignation. The current Kroger CEO Greg Foran can be reached through Kroger’s corporate offices at (513) 762-4000 or 1014 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

Why did Rodney McMullen leave Kroger?

Rodney McMullen resigned as Chairman and CEO of Kroger on March 3, 2025, following a Board investigation that found “certain personal conduct” inconsistent with Kroger’s Policy on Business Ethics. The Board stated that the conduct was not related to Kroger’s financial performance, operations, or reporting, and did not involve any Kroger associates. McMullen forfeited all unvested equity and his 2024 performance bonus as part of his departure.

Is Kroger a profitable company?

Yes, Kroger is highly profitable. In fiscal year 2024, the company reported net income of $2.665 billion on revenue of $147.1 billion. Kroger’s adjusted FIFO operating profit was $4.7 billion, and its gross margin improved to 22.3%. The company has a market capitalization of approximately $44 billion as of February 2026.

Article last updated:March 2026March 2, 2026

Disclaimer: All information presented in this article has been compiled from publicly available sources, including SEC filings, official company press releases, and reputable news outlets. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.