Kroger restaurant to debut next month

Kroger said Thursday that its new restaurant concept, Kitchen 1883, will open in late October in Union, Ky., a suburb of Cincinnati.

Kroger described Kitchen 1883’s “New American Comfort” menu as “a melting pot of American and international flavors.” The restaurant will operate daily offering lunch and dinner along with brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

“With Kitchen 1883, our goal is to create a gathering place that offers a genuinely delicious place to relax and experience our food,” Daniel Hammer, Kroger’s VP of culinary development and new business, said in a statement. “The restaurant will feature a made-from-scratch menu, hand-crafted cocktails and a community-centered atmosphere.”

Hammer joined Kroger in 2015 after 15 years at H-E-B, where he was a former director of product development.

Kroger officials have said they would increasingly look to foodservice as a means of expanding its business beyond food to be consumed at home as consumer eating habits evolve. Earlier this month, Hy-Vee announced it would become the largest franchisee of Wahlburgers restaurants.

Hammer said the restaurant would seek to emphasize hospitality and service and was seeking workers interested in sharing a “passion for food.”

“If you are food impassioned, have a hobby of sharing great food finds, and are interested in opportunities to grow your food career, we are hungry to learn more about you,” Hammer said. “We’re hiring for all positions, from cooks to bussers and servers to bar managers.”