1. Kroger trials a full-service restaurant
Grocery giant Kroger is the latest supermarket chain to make a play in the restaurant space. Kitchen 1883 (named after Kroger’s birth year) is slated to open in late October in Union, Ky., near the company’s headquarters in Cincinnati. The 90-seat restaurant will serve updated comfort foods, as well as craft cocktails. Later this year, Kroger will also open a “culinary innovation center” to develop prepared foods and, possibly, future restaurant concepts, a company spokeswoman said.