Kroger pays former CEO $6.3 million

WASHINGTON — Kroger Co. paid its former top executive $6.3 million last fiscal year, excluding stock options.

Joseph A. Pichler, who is currently chairman, was chief executive of the grocery-store chain until the middle of last year.

For the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, the Cincinnati-based company gave him a restricted stock award valued at $2.3 million on the date of grant, according to the proxy statement.

Pichler received a long-term incentive plan payout of $2.2 million, which represents the value of restricted stock that vested during the period, the Securities and Exchange Commission filing said.

Pichler was paid a salary of $1.3 million, up from $1.28 million in the previous fiscal year, the filing said.