If you’ve ever walked into a Fred Meyer to grab a gallon of milk, a new pair of Levi’s, and a replacement blender all in one trip, you’ve experienced the "one-stop shop" magic that Portland’s own Fred G. Meyer dreamed up nearly a century ago. It’s a Pacific Northwest staple. But if you look at your receipt or the back of your rewards card, you'll see a different name entirely.
The Kroger Co. owns Fred Meyer.
That’s the short answer. But honestly, the "who owns what" in the grocery world has become a giant, confusing mess lately, especially with all the headlines about massive mergers and store closures hitting the news in early 2026. People are understandably confused. Is it still Kroger? Did that massive deal with Albertsons actually happen?
Let’s dig into the reality of who is pulling the strings at "Freddy’s" right now.
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The Kroger Connection: A Long-Term Marriage
Kroger didn't just buy Fred Meyer yesterday. They’ve actually owned the chain since 1999. Back then, it was a staggering $13 billion deal that basically turned Kroger into a national powerhouse overnight.
Before that, Fred Meyer was its own thing—a scrappy, innovative company headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Even though the corporate bosses are now based in Cincinnati, Ohio, they’ve been smart enough to keep the Fred Meyer name on the door. Why? Because out here in the Northwest, people are loyal to the brand.
Kroger operates Fred Meyer as a "banner." Think of it like a giant umbrella. Kroger is the umbrella, and Fred Meyer is just one of the many brands underneath it, alongside others you might know like Ralphs, King Soopers, and Harris Teeter.
What happened to the Albertsons merger?
You might have heard some serious noise over the last year or two about Kroger trying to buy Albertsons (the company that owns Safeway). It was supposed to be the biggest grocery merger in history.
Here is the 2026 reality check: The merger failed.
Regulators at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) fought it tooth and nail, arguing it would kill competition and drive up prices. By late 2024, the whole thing fell apart under government scrutiny. Albertsons even ended up suing Kroger for breach of contract after the deal was blocked.
So, if you were worried that your local Fred Meyer was about to be sold off to C&S Wholesale Grocers or turned into a Safeway—breathe easy. That drama is mostly in the rearview mirror, though it left the company in a bit of a leadership shakeup. In early 2025, longtime CEO Rodney McMullen stepped down, and the new leadership, including current Chairman Ron Sargent, has been focused on "right-sizing" the company instead of chasing giant mergers.
Who Really Controls the Money?
When we talk about "who owns" a massive public company like Kroger (which trades on the NYSE under the symbol KR), we aren't talking about one guy in a suit. We're talking about institutional investors.
Basically, if you have a 401(k) or an IRA, you might technically be a tiny owner of Fred Meyer. The biggest chunks of Kroger are held by massive investment firms:
- The Vanguard Group: Usually the largest shareholder, holding around 11-12% of the stock.
- BlackRock: Another giant that owns a significant stake.
- Berkshire Hathaway: Warren Buffett’s company has famously moved in and out of Kroger stock over the years, though they’ve historically liked the "defensive" nature of grocery stores.
It’s a corporate machine. The decisions about whether your local store gets a remodel or if the "Simple Truth" organic brand gets more shelf space come from a mix of Cincinnati executives and the pressure of these big Wall Street shareholders.
Why the "One-Stop Shop" Model Still Exists
Fred G. Meyer was a bit of a genius. He started with a single store in 1922 and pioneered the idea that a husband could get his car serviced while the wife shopped for groceries (his words, very 1920s).
Kroger kept this "hypermarket" model because it works. Most Kroger-branded stores are just grocery stores. Fred Meyer stores are different. They are huge—some over 150,000 square feet. They have:
- Full-scale jewelry departments (Fred Meyer Jewelers is actually one of the largest jewelry retailers in the U.S.).
- Garden centers that rival Home Depot.
- Apparel sections that compete with Target.
- Home electronics and toys.
Kroger has tried to export this "Fred Meyer" style to other regions, but they’ve mostly found that it works best in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
The 2026 Store Closures: What’s Going On?
You might have seen news recently about Kroger closing around 60 stores across the country. It’s been a tough year for the chain. They’ve cited things like rising theft and "challenging regulatory environments" as the reason for shutting down underperforming locations.
In the Northwest, we’ve already seen some Fred Meyer locations in places like Seattle (Lake City and Redmond) and parts of Everett get the axe. It’s not because the company is going under—Kroger is still making billions in profit—it’s because they are becoming much more aggressive about cutting stores that aren't hitting their numbers.
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Honestly, it sucks for the communities that rely on them, especially in "food deserts," but from a corporate ownership perspective, it’s all about the bottom line and keeping those Wall Street investors happy.
Actionable Insights for the Fred Meyer Shopper
If you’re a regular, the ownership structure actually affects your wallet more than you think. Here is how to navigate the Kroger-owned landscape in 2026:
- Lean into the House Brands: Because Kroger has massive buying power, their private labels like Simple Truth and Private Selection are often higher quality than the "name brands" for a lower price.
- The Rewards Program is Universal: Your Fred Meyer Rewards card (or your phone number) works at any Kroger-owned store. If you’re traveling in California, use it at Ralphs. In Utah, use it at Smith’s. The fuel points all go into the same bucket.
- Check the App for "Clippable" Coupons: Kroger has moved almost entirely away from paper circulars. If you aren't using the Fred Meyer app to "clip" digital coupons before you shop, you are 100% overpaying.
- Watch the Jewelry Sales: Since they own the jewelry stores inside the buildings, they often run "Employee Pricing" events that are actually decent if you're in the market for a watch or a wedding band.
Fred Meyer might not be the independent Portland company it was in the 50s, but it remains the crown jewel of the Kroger empire. Despite the failed mergers and the corporate reshuffling, the "Freddy’s" experience isn't going anywhere—it's just being managed from a boardroom in Cincinnati.