Realignment of Southwest division underscores Kroger commitment to Texas market

CINCINNATI - Kroger on Tuesday split its Southwest division into two new supermarket divisions, a Dallas division and a Houston division, to support significant investment in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston markets. 

 

Dana Zurcher has been promoted to serve as president of the company's new Dallas division. And Bill Breetz, who has been serving as president of the Southwest division since 2002, will continue to oversee operations in Texas and Louisiana for the remainder of the year, and serve as president of the new Houston division. 

 

Kroger previously outlined capital investment plans of approximately $700 million in Dallas-Fort Worth and $500 million in Houston over the next three years. 

 

"We see opportunities for growth in both Dallas and Houston thanks in large part to Bill's leadership the past 13 years," stated Rodney McMullen, Kroger chairman and CEO. "This move will bring resources closer to our store teams, customers and communities."

 

Kroger's new Dallas division includes 105 stores in the Dallas and Fort Worth markets and in the Shreveport and Alexandria, La. area. The new Houston division includes 109 stores in the greater Houston region, as well as stores in Lake Charles, Louisiana. 

 

"Dana's experience spans several retail divisions, and she understands nearly every aspect of our business," McMullen said. "She is an exceptional leader who is known for helping associates discover their full potential. We are excited to have Dana lead our team in Dallas."

 

Zurcher brings 30 years of leadership experience to her new role. She began her Kroger career in Indianapolis store management in 1985. She served in a number of leadership roles in the Central division, including store manager and district coordinator. In 2002, she was named a district manager in the company's Fry's division in Phoenix. In 2008, she was promoted to director of operations for the Ralphs division in Los Angeles, where she served until she was promoted to VP operations for Kroger's Mid-South division in 2011. She has served in her current role of VP operations Southwest division since 2013.