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Zalat Pizza to open units in Kroger supermarkets

First 2 locations are planned for Marketplace stores in Houston

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

October 17, 2022

1 Min Read
Zalat-Pizza-Units-Kroger-Supermarkets.jpg
Zalat Pizza has collaborated with The Kroger Co. for two initial units in Houston Marketplace stores.Zalat Pizza

Zalat Pizza is planning its first locations within Kroger supermarkets, starting with two Marketplace stores in Houston, the companies announced Monday.

The Dallas-based brand, which has 24 locations, has a multi-unit deal with The Kroger Co. The first Houston location will open Oct. 21 at Kroger’s Cypress Towne Lake Marketplace and the second is planned to open in December at Kroger’s Conroe Marketplace.

Zalat-Pizza-Khanh-Nguyen.jpg“Kroger is the largest grocery retailer in the world with over 2,500 locations among its many iconic brands, and we are elated to partner with them on this project,” said Khanh Nguyen, Zalat founder and CEO, in a statement.

The supermarket units will cover about 400 square feet, Nguyen said, but "it will depend upon the layout of the individual Kroger stores that we go into."

Garret Fairchild, merchandiser for deli and bakery at the Cincinnati, Ohio-based supermarket chain, said: “As we continue to promote Kroger as a destination for superior food offerings, the opportunity to collaborate with Zalat Pizza, one of the hottest rising stars in the restaurant industry, was very appealing to us.

“We believe that offering customers convenient pickup and on-demand delivery access to Zalat’s delicious handmade New York style pizza creations,” Fairchild continued, “will be a much-welcomed addition to our local Kroger communities.”

Related:Kroger, Albertsons to merge in $24.6 billion deal

The companies are expected to announce 2023 openings in the next few months.

Zalat first opened in Dallas in 2015 and has expanded to 25 locations. Nation’s Restaurant News named it a Hot Concept in 2021.

Kroger was founded in 1883.

Update Oct. 17, 2022: This story was edited to included square footage information.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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