Cardtronics And Kroger Expand Relationship

ATM operator Cardtronics announced Thursday (Nov. 17) a new, long-term services agreement with The Kroger Co., the grocery retailer.

In a press release, Cardtronics said the new agreement extends the relationship between the two companies, which started in 2010. Cardtronics owns around 1,300 ATMs in Kroger branded grocery and convenience stores. The vast majority of the ATMs participate in Allpoint Network, which is a surcharge-free ATM network and wholly owned subsidiary of Cardtronics.

“Our successful six-year relationship with the Kroger family of companies has been a growth story. Cardtronics has risen to become the largest single provider of ATM services to Kroger stores and its various local banner names nationwide,” said Jonathan Simpson-Dent, chief commercial officer at Cardtronics. “We look forward to continue serving Kroger, including the store traffic we plan to drive with our surcharge-free Allpoint Network, which has expanded its Kroger footprint along with Cardtronics over the years.”

In September, Cardtronics announced Allpoint grew its membership among larger financial institution with First Tennessee Bank joining the network. “When First Tennessee Bank, which already has one of the highest customer retention rates of any bank in the country, adds Allpoint ATMs to its network, it is a powerful statement on how intertwined digital banking and ATMs have become in fulfilling the self-service demands of consumers,” Bill Knoll, EVP and managing director of Allpoint, said in a press release.

“At a time when ATMs are becoming America’s source for cash, Allpoint delivers to First Tennessee customers a national ATM footprint, high-quality retail locations and an unrivaled density of convenient cash access points,” Knoll continued. The financial institution’s customers will now have access to ATMs placed in retailer locations nationwide, both within First Tennessee’s core branch footprint and across the nation in regions where the bank has a growing presence. The move also adds more than 570 surcharge-free ATMs to the bank’s existing network in Tennessee.