Kroger announced plans to expand its North Texas presence, confirming it will break ground on three new Kroger Marketplace stores in 2026. The company confirmed two of the large-format locations will open in the rapidly growing cities of Fate and McKinney. A third location remains pending announcement.

The Marketplace format stores range from 99,000 to 130,000 square feet. Each location features a full-service grocery, pharmacy, and expanded general merchandise sections.

This expansion is a strategic effort to keep pace with the region's explosive population growth. Kroger seeks to strengthen its competitive footing against formidable regional players, specifically H-E-B. This initiative forms part of a broader investment in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

The company emphasizes its large-scale Marketplace format to capture market share in key regions. This targeted physical growth aligns with Kroger’s wider strategy, which also prioritizes e-commerce enhancements.