Major Grocery CEO Out After Probe Into His Personal Conduct

After more than four decades with the company, Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen has resigned. Several news outlets are reporting that a probe into McMullen's personal conduct prompted the resignation.

Why Has Kroger's CEO Resigned?

According to CNN, the Kroger corporation was "made aware of certain personal conduct" by McMullen and launched an immediate investigation.

The news outlet reports that no information about what the investigation revealed is available, but its findings are said to be 'inconsistent' with Kroger policies. The company also indicates that McMullen's departure isn't related to Kroger's "financial performance, operating, or reporting." The former CEO's conduct also did not involve any of the chain's associates.

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McMullen is said to have started as a part-time stock clerk in 1978. He worked his way up the ladder, becoming the chain's CEO in 2014.

Kroger in Michigan

Kroger is the nation's largest supermarket chain with about 1,320 locations in the United States. According to its website, there are approximately 120 Kroger stores in 82 Michigan cities. 

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In 2024, a Kroger executive said in an internal memo that the chain was guilty of surge pricing, inflating the price of staple items like milk and eggs to levels that were well above the inflation rate.

What's Next for Kroger?

Ronald Sargent has been on Kroger's board of Directors for nearly two decades. He will serve as the chain's interim CEO until a permanent replacement is named.

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