HUTCHINSON, Kan. -- Van Tarver, vice president of convenience stores for Turkey Hill dairy and supermarket petroleum, has announced the addition of Kathleen Kennedy as vice president of c-store foodservice for The Kroger Co.
"Kathleen brings 25+ years of experience as an innovation leader in the food, retail, manufacturing and hospitality industries. She is an expert in building world-class product pipelines that provide consumer solutions, while incrementally increasing sales," said Tarver.
Her foodservice consulting clientele includes Kraft Foods, Papa Murphy's, Wendy's, Kikkoman, McDonalds's, Burger King, Subway, Tyson and Applebee's.
Kathleen is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and has held leadership positions at Wal-Mart, Starbucks, Schreiber Foods and her own consultancy, Sage Culinary Catalysts.
Kathleen will work at the Kroger corporate office in Cincinnati, reporting to Tarver.
"We are excited to have Kathleen join our executive team at The Kroger Convenience Store group, and look forward to her contributions and leadership in the foodservice area. Kroger's convenience stores continue to expand fresh foodservice products to meet the customer's needs and expectations," Tarver said.
Cincinnati-based Kroger is the nation's largest traditional grocery retailer, with 2,470 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banners, including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's.
The company currently operates more than 900 supermarket fuel centers and about 790 c-stores in 18 states: Pueblo, Colo.-based Loaf 'N Jug in Colorado, New Mexico, Nebraska, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming; Lancaster, Pa.-based Turkey Hill Minit Markets in Pennsylvania; Crestview, Fla.-based Tom Thumb Food Stores in Florida and Alabama; Hutchinson, Kansas-based Kwik Shop in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska; Fremont Calif.-based Quik Stop Markets in California and Nevada, and Salt Lake City-based Smith's Express in Utah.
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