Hershey welcomes Kirk Tanner as new CEO and president

A significant chapter in the Hershey Company is set be unveiled as former PepsiCo senior executive Kirk Tanner has been selected to the lead the chocolate business as its new CEO and president, into its next era of development, reports Neill Barston.

The senior executive will take over the reins of the company from its present figurehead, Michele Buck,  who had signalled her intention to step down earlier this year.

Tanner joins the business at a particularly challenging juncture, with the US facing pressure on its confectionery operations, with incoming tariffs on cocoa products impacting on major and smaller companies alike.

Indeed, this led to the business seeking an exemption from the charges introduced by the US president – which has now been taken up at a congressional level. Whether its plea is recongised in light of it not being possible to grow the key confectionery crop on US soil, has yet to be determined. It was estimated the tariffs could cost Hershey an additional $200 million on its operations.

For his part, Tanner is set to work closely with Michele Buck, to ensure an orderly transition for the business, which once again made a major showing at this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo. (See our exclusive video review here, and full extended review of the event in our upcoming edition of Confectionery Production magazine.

Speaking on her time as CEO, Michele Buck added that she was ‘thrilled’ to see Tanner take on the role, adding that she had greatly enjoyed her time with Hershey.

She said: “Leading this business and having the privilege to work with such an exceptional team to transform Hershey into a multi-category snacking leader— building one of the industry’s most robust portfolios and the capabilities to drive current and future growth— has been the greatest honour of my career.”

Sector experience
For his part, Tanner is an accomplished food and beverage executive with a strong track record across some of the industry’s most recognised brands.

Speaking on his appointment, he enthused: “I am truly honored to be chosen as the next leader of a company I’ve long admired,” said Tanner. “Throughout my career, I’ve remained focused on the three pillars that drive success: understanding and delighting consumers, building strong partnerships with customers and investing in colleagues.

“This commitment to the three Cs will continue to guide our strategic decisions and fuel the growth of Hershey’s iconic brands––all while having fun with our employees and customers. Leading Hershey is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a difference with loved brands, and I look forward to working closely with the Board of Directors and the entire team to advance our Leading Snacking Powerhouse ambition.” 

As the company observed, he spent over three decades at PepsiCo, Inc., where he ultimately served as Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo Beverages North America, overseeing a $28 billion business across a diverse portfolio of iconic and growth brands such as Pepsi, Gatorade, Mountain Dew, Pure Leaf and bubly.

As CEO, the business added that he drove growth and profitability through brand building, innovation, customer partnerships and execution in the marketplace. He led portfolio transformation to address continuously evolving consumer trends. Tanner also held several other senior leadership positions at PepsiCo, including President of PepsiCo Global Foodservice, Senior Vice President of Frito-Lay North America’s West Division and Vice President of Sales for PepsiCo U.K. and Ireland. 

He currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Wendy’s Company, where he has led a strategy focused on core brand growth, innovation, operational excellence and accelerating new unit growth globally. 

“Kirk is a proven, high-impact leader in the food and beverage industry with a great combination of customer and consumer passion, commercial acumen and operational scale,” said Mary Kay Haben, Lead Independent Director and Chair of the CEO Search Committee.

“With a track record of driving growth in complex global businesses, Kirk brings a focused, results-driven mindset. His deep experience in snacks, beverages, M&A and innovation—combined with public company CEO and board roles—makes him well suited to lead Hershey into the future. Kirk is a strong leader, earning followership at every level and is committed to engaging with employees, the community and stockholders to advance Hershey’s ambition to be a Leading Snacking Powerhouse and to deliver long-term, sustainable growth.”

Haben continued, “We also want to thank Michele for her exceptional leadership and the industry-leading performance delivered across her tenure. Michele architected and championed Hershey’s Leading Snacking Powerhouse vision, guiding the company through multiple phases of transformational growth.”