Kroger Announces Creation of Two Supermarket Divisions in Texas

New Structure Will Support Significant Investment in Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston Markets

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Aug 18, 2015, 01:15 ET

CINCINNATI, Aug. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced the establishment of two new supermarket divisions, a Dallas division and a Houston division. Previously, both markets were served as part of Kroger's Southwest division.

Kroger also announced that Dana Zurcher has been promoted to serve as president of the company's new Dallas division. Bill Breetz, who has been serving as president of the Southwest division since 2002, will continue to oversee operations in Texas and Louisiana for the remainder of the year, and serve as president of the new Houston division.

"Kroger is committed to growing and serving our customers in the great state of Texas, and in our important Louisiana markets," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO.

The company has previously outlined capital investment plans of approximately $700 million in Dallas-Fort Worth and $500 million in Houston over the next three years.

"We see opportunities for growth in both Dallas and Houston thanks in large part to Bill's leadership the past 13 years," Mr. McMullen added. "This move will bring resources closer to our store teams, customers, and communities."

Kroger's new Dallas division includes 105 stores in the Dallas and Fort Worth markets and in the Shreveport and Alexandria, Louisiana area. The new Houston division includes 109 stores in the greater Houston region, as well as stores in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Dana Zurcher Named President of New Dallas Division

Dana Zurcher, currently vice president of operations for the Southwest division, has been promoted to president of Kroger's Dallas division, effective October 1.

"Dana's experience spans several retail divisions, and she understands nearly every aspect of our business," said Mr. McMullen. "She is an exceptional leader who is known for helping associates discover their full potential. We are excited to have Dana lead our team in Dallas."

Ms. Zurcher brings 30 years of leadership experience to her new role. She began her Kroger career in Indianapolis store management in 1985. She served in a number of leadership roles in the Central division, including store manager and district coordinator. In 2002, she was named a district manager in the company's Fry's division in Phoenix. In 2008, she was promoted to director of operations for the Ralphs division in Los Angeles, where she served until she was promoted to vice president of operations for Kroger's Mid-South division in 2011. She has served in her current role since 2013.

Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs nearly 400,000 associates who serve customers in 2,626 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 780 convenience stores, 327 fine jewelry stores, 1,342 supermarket fuel centers and 37 food processing plants in the U.S. Recognized by Forbes as the most generous company in America, Kroger supports hunger relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families, and more than 30,000 schools and community organizations. Kroger contributes food and funds equal to 200 million meals a year through more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber's Million Dollar Club.

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SOURCE The Kroger Co.