Kroger CEO Resigns Following Investigation into Personal Conduct
Rodney McMullen, the CEO and chairman of Kroger, has stepped down after an internal investigation by the company’s board into his personal conduct.
Kroger announced McMullen’s resignation in a press release on March 3, stating that the decision followed a board-led inquiry that found his behavior was “inconsistent with Kroger’s Policy on Business Ethics.” While the company emphasized that the issue was unrelated to financial performance, operations, or interactions with Kroger employees, McMullen’s departure marks a significant leadership change for the major grocery chain.
Effective immediately, Ronald Sargent has been appointed interim CEO and chairman, while Mark Sutton will serve as lead independent director as the company begins its search for a permanent replacement.
Board Investigation and Leadership Changes
According to Kroger, the company’s board became aware of concerns regarding McMullen’s personal conduct on February 21 and promptly engaged an independent outside counsel to investigate.
McMullen, who has been with Kroger since 1978, worked his way up from a part-time stock clerk to CEO in 2014 and chairman in 2015.
Following his departure, interim CEO Ronald Sargent—a Kroger board member for nearly 20 years—expressed his commitment to maintaining the company’s strategic vision and customer focus.
“As interim CEO, I am dedicated to working with our experienced leadership team to continue delivering exceptional value to customers,” said Sargent. “Kroger has been a special part of my career, and I look forward to working even more closely with this talented team.”
Merger Fallout and Legal Dispute with Albertsons
McMullen’s exit comes amid heightened scrutiny of Kroger following the collapse of its proposed $25 billion merger with Albertsons, which was blocked by a federal judge. The deal, had it been approved, would have been the largest grocery store merger in U.S. history.
After the failed merger, Albertsons filed a lawsuit against Kroger, alleging breach of contract, while Kroger dismissed the claims as “baseless.”
In response to these challenges, Kroger reaffirmed its commitment to integrity and strong leadership, stating:
“We are incredibly proud of the Kroger team for navigating the merger process with the highest level of integrity and dedication.”
What’s Next for Kroger?
With McMullen’s departure, Kroger’s board has launched a search committee to identify the company’s next permanent CEO. In the meantime, Sargent will lead the company as it moves forward with its strategic goals.
Founded in 1883 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger currently operates 2,800 stores across 35 states, making it one of the largest grocery chains in the U.S.
A Kroger spokesperson stated that the company has no further comment beyond the details shared in its official press release.