Mar 3, 2025 - Business

Kroger CEO suddenly out after "personal conduct" investigation

Nathan Bomey

A person in a dark suit and tie and glasses — Then-Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, on April 30, 2018. Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Kroger on Monday announced the sudden exit of CEO and Chairman Rodney McMullen after discovering what it described as unacceptable personal conduct.

Why it matters: McMullen led Kroger for more than a decade during a period of growth, steering the grocery chain through the pandemic and managing inflation but failing to pull off his biggest swing: an acquisition of rival Albertsons.

Zoom in: Kroger said McMullen "has resigned from the Company following a Board investigation of his personal conduct that, while unrelated to the business, was inconsistent with Kroger's Policy on Business Ethics."

Lead director Ron Sargent will become chairman and interim CEO.
The company hired a search firm to pursue a permanent CEO.

Inside the room: Kroger said it "was made aware of certain personal conduct by Mr. McMullen" on Feb. 21 "and immediately retained outside independent counsel to conduct an investigation, which was overseen by a special Board committee."

"Mr. McMullen's conduct is not related to the Company's financial performance, operations or reporting, and it did not involve any Kroger associates," the company said.

The other side: McMullen could not immediately be reached for comment.

The impact: The retailer's stock opened down 3% Monday.

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Kroger CEO suddenly out after "personal conduct" investigation

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