A Decade: Kroger Plans First Houston Store

Houston, – Kroger plans to build a store in Hockley to serve a fast-growing region for home building in the suburbs of northwest Houston.

The Cincinnati-based grocer plans to build a 100,064-SF store at 26217 Betka Road in Hockley, as stated by a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation. Construction on the $24 million project is slated to wrap up in December 2027.

Planned as the first new Kroger store in the Houston market in a decade, the store will be located at the entry of Jubilee in the community’s commercial district. Planned for nearly 5,000 homes, the Johnson Development community spans more than 1,600 acres southwest of Highway 290 and Katy Hockley Road, a few miles west of the Grand Parkway. Jubilee is centered around joy with a focus on health and well-being.

Kroger outlined a multi-year strategy to build America’s Favorite Grocery store and accelerate growth in an investor update this week.

“Kroger has a clear opportunity to unlock our full potential and build America’s Favorite Grocer,” Kroger CEO Greg Foran said when the deal was released. “We are making value more visible and focusing resources closer to the customer where we see the highest returns. With our customers at the center, we are simplifying and modernizing our business to deliver a great customer experience and provide long-term value to our shareholders.”

Kroger plans to build approximately 110 new stores by 2029 alongside remodels. The grocer will invest in areas of strength, emphasizing a “food-first” experience with a focus on fresh produce, prepared foods, and ready to cook meals.

The stores is set to include three formats, 50,000, 75,000 and 99,000 sq ft stores for high volume, high opportunity markets. The 100,000-SF Jubilee store is considered a high growth market because there are so many new homes being built in the area.

Kroger is targeting 3% comparable sales growth in 2029. The figure excludes fuel and pharmacy and the pending purchase of Giant Eagle.

Another grocer is also expanding in nearby Cypress. Whole Foods will anchor Dunham Pointe, a 202,000-SF retail and restaurant district at Highway 290 and Mason Road.