Rodney McMullen Built His Net Worth Working for Kroger

Rodney McMullen has been Kroger's CEO since 2014. He started with the company as a part-time stock clerk in 1978 and grew his net worth from there.

Danielle Letenyei - Author

Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen is running into roadblocks in the company’s $24.6 billion proposed merger with competitor Albertsons. Democrats in Congress are concerned about antitrust issues regarding the merger.

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When McMullen asked Republican lawmakers for help to block the Democrats' attempts to regulate the merger, he got scolded by Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark).

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"I've cautioned (CEOs) for years that if they silence conservatives and center-right voters… if they discriminate against them in their company, they probably shouldn't come and ask Republican senators to carry the water for them whenever our Democratic friends want to regulate them or block their mergers," Cotton said during a Nov. 29 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the proposed merger, Fox News reports.

“I’m sorry this is happening to you. Best of luck,” Cotton said.

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Rodney McMullen Has a Net Worth in the Millions

McMullen has been the CEO at Kroger since 2014. According to Wallmine, McMullen has a net worth of at least $22.7 million. He also owns over 6,000 units of Kroger stock valued at over $1.6 million, Wallmine reports.

Rodney McMullen

Kroger CEO

Net worth: $22.7 million

Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen has spent his whole career working for the grocery chain. He started in 1978 as a part-time store clerk. McMullen is currently facing some roadblocks in his proposed $24.6 billion merger with competitor Albertsons.

Age: 62

Wife: Kathryn King

Alma mater: University of Kentucky

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McMullen’s salary in 2012 was $18 million. That year, he took a 12.6 percent pay cut and also increased workers' pay by 8.7 percent, reports the Cincinnati Enquirer.

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McMullen Started at Kroger as a Stock Clerk

McMullen has spent his entire career working for Kroger. He started as a part-time stock clerk in 1978 when he was a college student at the University of Kentucky. He made his way up the ranks and eventually became chief financial officer for the grocery chain when he was just 34 years old.

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Sen. Hawley asks about lawsuit on employee who was allegedly fired for religious beliefs.

Kroger CEO: "I personally am not aware of the details."

Hawley: "How is that possible? You're being sued by the federal government. You've settled a suit, and you don't know about it?" pic.twitter.com/XLS0SrE5wa

— Terri Green (@TerriGreenUSA) November 30, 2022

In McMullen’s role as CFO, he was integral in the $13 billion merger with Fred Meyer Inc. in 1999, reports the Cincinnati Business Courier.

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Who is Rodney McMullen’s wife?

McMullen’s wife is Kathryn King McMullen. The couple reportedly met when they were studying at the University of Kentucky.

McMullen Vows That No Stores Will Close After the Merger

Kroger is already the largest grocery store chain in the U.S. It has over 2,800 stores, including grocery chains such as Ralph’s, Dillons, Pick’n Save, Food 4 Less, and Fred Meyer. The company employs about 420,000.

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Albertsons has about 2,200 stores, including the grocery chains Safeway, Acme, and Tom Thumb. Albertsons employees are concerned about what will happen to their jobs if the merger goes through.

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McMullen said during a congressional hearing that no stores would close and no frontline workers would lose their jobs if the merger goes through, The Sun reports.

An Employee Union Says Merger Threatens Jobs and Grocery Prices

“The proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons has serious implications for hundreds of thousands of our UFCW members and America’s families who are more concerned than ever about inflation’s impact on the price of their food and groceries, prescription drugs, and gas,” the UFCW said in a statement. "To be clear, the UFCW will oppose any merger that threatens the jobs of America's essential workers, union and non-union, and undermines our communities.”

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