Houston Kroger Serves Up Burgers, Tex-Mex Through New Ghost Kitchen

Cincinnati-based Kroger Co. has partnered again with Kitchen United MIX, this time in the Lone Star State. This one-of-a-kind experience to Kroger shoppers in The Heights neighborhood of Houston serves up burgers, Tex-Mex and more in the new ghost kitchen.

Available for both pickup, to-go and delivery via third-party apps, Kitchen United MIX offers items from more than 10 independently operated local and national restaurant brands, including Burns Original BBQ, The Rustic, Fuddruckers, Buca di Beppo, Dog Haus and Capriotti's Sandwich Shop.

"Our customers know they can count on Kroger as a destination for the freshest meal solutions," said Dan De La Rosa, Kroger's group VP of fresh merchandising, in a statement. "The Kitchen United collaboration provides another simple, on-demand meal option within our stores. It is one more example of how Kroger is fulfilling our commitment to anything, anywhere, anytime."

Located in the Kroger at 1035 N. Shepherd Dr., the destination is the second collaborative space between the two companies, following the opening of the kitchen center in a Westwood, Calif., Ralphs store, which opened in January.

"We are thrilled and proud to be the first Kroger location in Texas to launch this exciting and innovative partnership," said Laura Gump, president of Kroger Houston, in a statement. 'What's for dinner?' is a question that's always on the minds of our customers and being able to offer a fresh and tasty selection, paired with friendly service, is the experience we strive to provide each day. This partnership emphasizes how we continue to advance our 'Fresh for Everyone' strategy."

The kitchen center enables customers to place an order digitally using Kitchen United's proprietary MIX platform via web. Restaurant staff will prepare the orders and delivery service fees will be determined by third-party providers.

"Kitchen United MIX is proud to introduce our multi-restaurant ordering platform to more shoppers through our newest grocery installation with Kroger," said Kitchen United CEO Michael Montagano, in a statement. "We recently launched our first 'store within a store' at a Ralphs in Los Angeles, and it's been incredibly popular. Kitchen United MIX is revolutionizing the way people order takeout, and we're thrilled to provide this one-of-a-kind experience to Kroger shoppers in The Heights neighborhood of Houston. By partnering with Kroger, we now offer Houstonians a variety of delicious meals for delivery as well as for pickup as they shop." 

The location will be open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. as well as Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

"We are proud of our new innovative partnership with Kroger and Kitchen United Mix, enabling customers to build their own freshly prepared on-demand meals," said Nicholas Perkins, CEO of Fuddruckers, in a statement.