CINCINNATI, Jan. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) announced today that it has amended and restated its $2.0 billion revolving credit facility originally negotiated in November, 2010. The amended facility will expire in January, 2017.

The facility is used for general corporate purposes, including commercial paper backstop. Twenty-four financial institutions will participate in the facility. The bank group is led by Bank of America and Citibank as administrative and syndication agents, respectively. The group also includes The Royal Bank of Scotland, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo Bank as co-documentation agents.

"We are pleased with the banking community's continued confidence in Kroger's financial strength," said Mike Schlotman, Kroger's chief financial officer. "This credit facility provides Kroger with the ongoing financial flexibility to successfully execute our Customer 1st strategy."

A copy of the 5-year credit agreement will be made available on a Form 8-K that the Company expects to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission by January 27, 2012.

Kroger, the nation's largest traditional grocery retailer, employs more than 338,000 associates who serve customers in 2,439 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 796 convenience stores, 363 fine jewelry stores, 1,067 supermarket fuel centers and 40 food processing plants in the U.S. Kroger was recognized by Forbes as the most generous company in the U.S. The company focuses its charitable efforts on supporting hunger relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families, and more than 30,000 schools and grassroots organizations in the communities it serves. Kroger contributes food and funds equal to 125 million meals a year through its partnership with more than 80 Feeding America food banks. For more information about Kroger, please visit www.kroger.com.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.