Kroger has been named to the 2026 Axios Harris Poll 100, an annual survey ranking the reputations of America's most visible companies. The recognition places the nation's largest supermarket chain among the brands consumers trust most — a signal that carries weight across the broader food retail and hospitality landscape.
CEO Greg Foran tied the honor directly to frontline labor. "This recognition belongs to our associates," Foran said. "Every day, more than 400,000 of them help families put fresh, affordable food on the table. It is their care and commitment that builds trust with our customers and communities."
For food and beverage operators watching consumer sentiment, Kroger's inclusion is worth noting. The Axios Harris Poll 100 is driven by public perception across dimensions that include trust, ethics, product quality, and citizenship — benchmarks that matter well beyond the grocery aisle. As restaurant and foodservice operators compete for the same consumer dollar, understanding which retail food brands are winning on reputation provides useful context for where shopper loyalty is being built and why.
Kroger's emphasis on fresh food affordability also speaks to a persistent pressure point across the hospitality sector. With food-at-home costs continuing to shape dining decisions, operators in food retail and beverage categories are navigating a consumer base that is increasingly value-conscious and brand-aware. A grocer that ranks among America's most trusted companies on those exact dimensions is a meaningful competitive reference point.
The Axios Harris Poll 100 is conducted annually, measuring the reputations of the country's most visible companies based on consumer surveys. Kroger, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, operates stores under multiple banners nationwide. The full 2026 rankings are available via Axios. Coverage of trust, transparency, and workforce investment in the food industry is also tracked regularly by Food & Beverage Magazine, a sister publication focused on industry trends and operator strategy.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
