Ever tried to find the heart of Fred Meyer? It’s not just about that blue-and-red logo or the massive "one-stop shopping" aisles. People usually assume that once a company joins a massive conglomerate like Kroger, the original home base just evaporates into some generic office park in the Midwest. Honestly, that’s not what happened here.
The fred meyer corporate headquarters is still very much a thing in Portland, Oregon. Specifically, you’ll find the nerve center at 3800 SE 22nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97202. It’s a massive, somewhat unassuming complex tucked away in the Southeast industrial area. If you’ve ever driven down McLoughlin Boulevard, you’ve probably passed right by it without even blinking.
Why the Location Matters
It’s easy to think a corporate office is just where the "suits" go to look at spreadsheets. But for Fred Meyer, this location is basically the DNA of the Pacific Northwest retail scene. Fred G. Meyer, the guy who started it all back in 1922, was obsessed with location. He used to track where people lived by paying their parking tickets in downtown Portland just to see the addresses on the forms. Creepy? Maybe by today’s standards. Brilliant for a guy trying to build a retail empire in the 1920s? Absolutely.
The current fred meyer corporate headquarters sits on a site that has seen the company grow from a single downtown stand to a multi-billion dollar division of Kroger. Even though Kroger is based in Cincinnati, Ohio, they’ve kept the Fred Meyer brand leadership rooted in Portland. This is why the stores in Washington, Idaho, and Alaska still feel "local" compared to a standard big-box store.
What Actually Happens There?
Don’t expect a glass skyscraper with a fancy lobby fountain. This is a working office.
- Regional Strategy: This is where the decisions about which local brands (like Tillamook or regional produce) get shelf space.
- Merchandising: Those "Price Blaster" ads and the specific layout of the toy vs. apparel sections? That’s planned here.
- HR and Operations: Over 39,000 employees across four states report up through the chains that start at the SE 22nd Avenue office.
The Kroger Connection: A Tale of Two Cities
There is often confusion about who really runs the show. In 1999, Kroger bought Fred Meyer for about $13.5 billion. It was a massive deal. At that point, many expected the fred meyer corporate headquarters to shutter and move to Ohio.
It didn't.
Kroger realized that Fred Meyer’s "hypermarket" model—the idea that you can buy a diamond ring, a gallon of milk, and a chainsaw in the same building—was something they didn't want to mess with from afar. So, while the high-level financial decisions and "The Kroger Co." board of directors sit at 1014 Vine Street in Cincinnati, the day-to-day soul of Fred Meyer stays in Oregon.
It's a weird hybrid. You’ve got the local Portland vibes clashing with the massive corporate scale of the largest supermarket chain in the U.S.
👉 See also: How Danny Meyer Turned a Hot Dog Cart Into Shake Shack
Contacting the Main Office
If you’re trying to reach the fred meyer corporate headquarters, you’ve got a couple of options. Most people just want to complain about a coupon or a weird experience at the deli, and for that, the corporate office usually points you to their customer service line at 1-800-576-4377.
However, if you are looking for the actual corporate switchboard for the Portland office, the number is (503) 232-8844. Just don't expect to get Fred on the phone—he passed away in 1978.
The Evolution of 3800 SE 22nd Ave
This isn't just a modern office. The history of the Fred Meyer headquarters is intertwined with the development of Portland’s infrastructure. Back in the day, the company built a massive warehouse in the Laurelhurst area that actually got in the way of the Banfield Expressway (I-84). They had to tear part of it down just so the highway could get through.
The move to the Southeast 22nd location was part of a larger consolidation. It’s where they manage the massive supply chain that feeds 130+ stores. Think about the logistics. You’re shipping fresh salmon from Alaska and electronics from overseas, and it all has to be coordinated through this one hub.
Jobs and Culture at Headquarters
Is it a good place to work? It depends on who you ask. Glassdoor reviews are usually a mix of "great benefits because of Kroger" and "it feels like a massive corporate machine."
The salaries at the fred meyer corporate headquarters vary wildly. Entry-level administrative roles might start around $46,000 to $55,000, while executive directors and senior vice presidents are clearing well over $200,000. Because it’s a subsidiary of Kroger, you also get the stability of a Fortune 500 company, which is a big draw for people in the Portland tech and business scene who don't want to work for a volatile startup.
Fun Fact: The Rooftop Parking Obsession
Fred G. Meyer was a pioneer of rooftop parking. He hated that cars took up valuable real estate on the ground. His Hollywood district store (built in 1947) was one of the first to feature it. While the fred meyer corporate headquarters doesn't have people parking on the roof today, that spirit of "efficient land use" is why their headquarters is located in an industrial zone rather than a flashy downtown tower.
How to Get Results if You’re Reaching Out
If you have a legitimate business proposal or a serious legal matter for the fred meyer corporate headquarters, don't just send a random email to a generic "info@" address.
- Use Certified Mail: If it’s official, send it to the 3800 SE 22nd Ave address.
- Target the Right Department: Ask for "Real Estate," "Merchandising," or "Corporate Communications" specifically.
- Know the Hierarchy: If you can't get an answer in Portland, your next stop is the Kroger corporate relations team in Cincinnati.
The reality is that Fred Meyer is a local icon that happens to be owned by a global giant. The headquarters reflects that. It's functional, historical, and surprisingly accessible if you know where to look.
Actionable Next Steps:
- For corporate inquiries or vendor applications, contact the Portland office directly at (503) 232-8844.
- For employment opportunities at the headquarters, visit the Kroger Careers portal and filter by the Portland, OR location.
- If you are a customer with an issue, bypass the physical office and use the 1-800-KRO-GERS line for a faster resolution.