Kroger and Home Chef Kick Off Nationwide Retail Rollout

New express meal kit introduced in select markets

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Oct 10, 2018, 08:00 ET

CINCINNATI and CHICAGO, Oct. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In an industry first, The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) and Home Chef today announced the launch of weekly rotating in-store meal kits at Kroger Family of Stores in select locations. In addition, the company will roll out a limited market test of the new Home Chef Express product, a quick-cook meal kit ready to eat in about 15 minutes. Kroger and Home Chef are bringing even more variety and convenience to customers with the launch of these new in-store offerings, providing customers with an on-demand solution for tonight's dinner.

The Kroger Co. debuts Home Chef meal kits in retail locations.

Home Chef's meal kits will first be available at select locations in Illinois (Mariano's), Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin (Pick 'n Save and Metro Market). Kroger anticipates rolling out Home Chef meal kits to additional markets in 2019. Each week, there will be four Home Chef meal kit options available in participating store locations. The same recipes will also be available to customers through homechef.com, where shoppers will find even more weekly variety.

"We are excited to introduce Home Chef's new retail meal kits to our store customers," said Robert Clark, Kroger's senior vice president of merchandising. "Offering a rotating menu of recipes is one more way we are providing our customers with innovative culinary experiences and choices. The Home Chef meal kits will redefine the way customers shop for, prep, and cook their meals."

"We've built a strong business helping people plan their meals in advance. We also know there are customers who want the convenience of a Home Chef meal, without having to plan ahead," said Pat Vihtelic, Home Chef's founder and CEO. "We're excited to take this first step in revolutionizing mealtime by bringing Home Chef's signature variety and great-tasting meals directly to Kroger customers. We are also looking forward to introducing our new line of Home Chef Express meal kits that address a major customer need—faster meals."

The in-store meal kits will include Home Chef's fresh, pre-portioned ingredients and recipes that are easy to prepare and guaranteed to delight everyone around the table.

Home Chef Menu (Illinois, Ohio and Wisconsin)

Week of 10/8 - Brasserie-Style Sirloin Steak, Breaded Italian Chicken, Blue Cheese and Smoked Almond Pork Chop, Adobo Chicken Enchiladas
Week of 10/15 - Steak Strip Marsala Risotto, Chicken Chimichangas, Chimichurri Pork Tenderloin, Prosciutto and Sage Linguine
Week of 10/22 - Steak Strip Chimichangas, Teriyaki Chicken Thighs with Smoked Almonds, Maple-Glazed Pork Tenderloin, Turkey Burrito Skillet

Home Chef Express Menu (Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio)

Week of 10/8 to w/o 10/15 - Acapulco Steak Tacos, Mongolian Meatballs, Chicken Alfredo, Honey Butter Pork Chop
Week of 10/15 - Steak Stroganoff, Chicken Fajitas, Pork Spring Roll Bowl, Beef Chili

Each meal serves two and starts at $8.50 per serving. Information about participating locations is available at homechef.com/grocery.

Customers can also continue to experience the convenience of having Home Chef meals delivered directly to their home by ordering on homechef.com. There, customers can choose from 18 weekly menu items, including Home Chef's no-cook 5-Minute Lunches, delicious dinners, filling smoothies, and more.

To view photography of the in-store meal kits and display, visit here.

About Kroger
At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: to Feed the Human Spirit™. We are nearly half a million associates who serve over nine million customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and 2,800 retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.

About Home Chef
Home Chef is the #3 Inc 5000 2018 Fastest Growing Company in America and one of the largest meal kit delivery companies in the U.S., with over 3 million meals delivered each month. Founded in 2013, Home Chef offers fresh, pre-portioned ingredients and easy to follow recipes delivered weekly and is designed for anyone to be able to cook and everyone to enjoy. The Chicago-based company delivers nationwide. For two years running, Home Chef has been rated #1 in customer satisfaction among leading meal kit companies, according to Market Force Information U.S. Grocery Benchmark Study. Find out more and get cooking at www.homechef.com. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for live updates and delicious inspiration.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.