He formed Nickelback in 1995 in Hanna, Alberta. He's part of Nickelback with his brother Mike Kroeger (bass), Ryan Peake (guitar) and Daniel Adair (drums). Chad Kroeger, along with Saliva vocalist Josey Scott, performed the theme song titled "Hero" (US Hot 100: #13; US Mainstream Rock: #1 ; US Modern Rock: #1 ) for the blockbuster smash hit movie Spider-Man in 2002.

In 2002, Kroeger, along with attorney Jonathan Simkin, founded a record label, 604 Records. Among the bands currently signed to the label are Theory of a Deadman, Tin Foil Phoenix, Thornley, Armchair Cynics, and Marianas Trench.

Also in 2002, Kroeger wrote and sang on "Why Don't You & I" for Santana's Shaman. However, when Arista decided to release the song as a single in Summer 2003, Kroeger's label, Roadrunner, refused permission, citing concerns that Kroeger appearing on a "high-profile single" would compromise the excitement over Nickelback's fall 2003 release The Long Road. Kroeger is the one that recommended The Calling's Alex Band, another Arista artist, as a replacement for re-recording the single.

Kroeger also wrote the lyrics for the wildly popular song Photograph, which ostensibly documents his life and continues to be played in heavy rotation on various radio and streaming radio stations.

In 2006, Kroeger came in 6th in Boston Phoenix's "100 Unsexiest Men in the World" list.