Kroger appoints Greg Foran as CEO, joins board, ends yearlong vacancy

Kroger filled a leadership hole that opened in March 2025 by appointing Greg Foran as chief executive officer, effective immediately, and adding him to the company’s board. The move, announced Feb. 9, 2026, follows an extensive external search that the board conducted for roughly 11 months and ends the interim tenure of Ron Sargent, who has served as interim CEO since Rodney McMullen resigned last year; Sargent will continue as chair.

McMullen stepped down in March 2025 after an internal investigation into his personal conduct. Kroger said the conduct was “unrelated to the business” but “inconsistent with Kroger’s Policy on Business Ethics,” and the company has not disclosed specific details of the incident that prompted the probe. The prolonged search for a successor signaled Kroger’s desire to bring in an experienced operator from outside the company.

Foran brings a mix of large-scale U.S. retail experience and recent airline leadership. Born in New Zealand, he most recently served as CEO of Air New Zealand and previously led Walmart U.S. from 2014 to 2019. At Walmart, Foran is credited with managing and turning around more than 4,600 stores, helping introduce digital ordering and pickup, and overseeing a stretch of 20 consecutive quarters of comparable sales growth. Industry observers note Kroger is the country’s largest grocer by sales behind Walmart, and the board framed Foran as a leader with the operational chops to move Kroger forward.

Ron Sargent praised the appointment, saying, “Greg is a highly respected operator who knows how to run large-scale retail businesses, strengthen store execution and lead high-performing teams.” Sargent added, “His leadership style, focus on the customer, commitment to associates, and disciplined approach to execution are the perfect fit for Kroger. The Board is confident Greg is the right leader to guide Kroger into its next chapter.” Foran responded to the appointment by highlighting the workforce: “Kroger is one of the most dynamic companies in retail. The company is built on a strong foundation, supported by a talented leadership team, and caring associates who are dedicated to the customers and communities they serve.”

For Kroger associates, the hire signals an emphasis on the fundamentals of store operations and on scaling digital order and pickup systems that connect stores to ecommerce. Foran’s track record at Walmart suggests priorities may include tightening store execution, refining front-line processes, and investing in the systems that support curbside and online fulfillment. Those shifts could affect scheduling, training, store staffing levels, and the technology associates use to manage orders.

With the immediate appointment and Foran joining the board, Kroger’s leadership is now stabilized. Workers and supervisors should watch for the company’s next public statements and operational directives as the new CEO outlines strategic priorities and near-term actions in the weeks ahead.