The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed Kirk Tanner as the next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective August 18, 2025. Tanner will succeed Michele Buck, who earlier this year announced her intention to retire after a distinguished tenure leading the company. To ensure a smooth and successful leadership transition, Buck will remain with Hershey in a senior advisory role, collaborating closely with Tanner during the onboarding process.
This appointment marks a significant leadership shift for Hershey as it positions itself for continued growth and innovation in the global snacking industry. The selection of Tanner underscores the company’s commitment to securing dynamic, forward-thinking leadership to steer its next phase of strategic growth.
A Seasoned Leader in Global Food and Beverage
Kirk Tanner is widely recognized for his leadership acumen and extensive experience in the food and beverage industry. With more than 30 years of executive experience, primarily at PepsiCo, Inc., Tanner brings a unique blend of commercial savvy, brand building expertise, and operational excellence to his new role at Hershey. At PepsiCo, he most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo Beverages North America, where he was responsible for leading a $28 billion portfolio of iconic brands including Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Pure Leaf, and bubly.
During his tenure at PepsiCo, Tanner demonstrated a strong ability to navigate complex market dynamics and evolving consumer preferences. Under his leadership, PepsiCo Beverages North America achieved significant growth through strategic innovation, strengthened customer partnerships, and enhanced execution in the marketplace. Tanner was instrumental in driving portfolio transformation efforts to ensure the company remained aligned with health-conscious, sustainability-driven, and digitally savvy consumer trends.
In addition to his role at PepsiCo Beverages North America, Tanner held several key leadership positions across the organization. These included 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. Each role contributed to his well-rounded experience in managing global business units, developing high-performing teams, and executing complex strategic initiatives across diverse markets.
Most recently, Tanner has been serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Wendy’s Company, one of the leading quick-service restaurant brands in the world. At Wendy’s, he implemented a focused strategy centered on core brand growth, menu innovation, operational improvement, and accelerated global expansion. His tenure at Wendy’s further reinforced his ability to lead publicly traded companies and work closely with boards, investors, franchisees, and customers to drive sustained value creation.
Board’s Confidence in Visionary Leadership
Mary Kay Haben, Lead Independent Director of the Board and Chair of the CEO Search Committee, expressed strong confidence in Tanner’s appointment and the value he will bring to Hershey in the years ahead.
“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 Haben. “With a track record of delivering results across large and complex global businesses, he brings a focused, results-driven mindset to the table. His deep experience in snacks, beverages, mergers and acquisitions, and innovation—paired with public company CEO and boardroom experience—makes him exceptionally well-equipped to lead Hershey into the future.”
Haben further highlighted Tanner’s reputation for building inclusive, performance-driven cultures and his ability to connect meaningfully with stakeholders at every level—from frontline employees to shareholders. “Kirk is a strong and engaging leader who has consistently earned the respect and followership of teams throughout his career,” she added. “We believe he is ideally positioned to continue advancing Hershey’s vision to be a Leading Snacking Powerhouse while ensuring long-term, sustainable value creation for all stakeholders.”
A Grateful Farewell to Michele Buck
The Board also extended heartfelt appreciation to outgoing CEO Michele Buck for her exceptional leadership and transformational impact on the company. Since assuming the CEO role in 2017, Buck has guided Hershey through a period of strategic reinvention and sustained growth.
Under Buck’s stewardship, Hershey evolved from a traditional confectionery leader into a diversified snacking powerhouse with a robust multi-category portfolio. She was the chief architect of the company’s “Leading Snacking Powerhouse” strategy, which included key acquisitions, innovation investments, digital transformation, and organizational capability building. Her leadership was marked by a strong focus on culture, people development, and purpose-led growth.
“We also want to thank Michele for her outstanding leadership and the industry-leading performance achieved under her direction,” said Haben. “Michele’s bold vision and commitment to excellence have positioned Hershey to thrive well into the future. Her legacy includes a significantly expanded snacking portfolio, a more agile and resilient supply chain, and a deeply engaged workforce that continues to deliver exceptional results.”
Tanner’s Vision for Hershey’s Next Chapter
In his first public statement as incoming CEO, Kirk Tanner expressed deep gratitude and excitement about his new role.
“I am truly honored to be chosen as the next leader of a company I’ve long admired,” Tanner said. “Throughout my career, I’ve been guided by a commitment to what I call the three Cs: consumers, customers, and colleagues. These pillars have been central to every business I’ve led, and they will continue to shape our strategic decisions at Hershey.”
Tanner emphasized his intention to build upon Hershey’s legacy of excellence while helping the company evolve in response to changing consumer habits and competitive dynamics. “We have an opportunity to deepen consumer loyalty, accelerate innovation, and expand our presence in high-growth snacking segments,” he added. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead an iconic company with beloved brands and a purpose-driven culture. I look forward to partnering with the Board and the talented Hershey team to continue building on the company’s momentum.”
A Collaborative Transition
Michele Buck echoed Tanner’s optimism and pledged her full support during the transition. “I am thrilled to see Kirk take on this role and look forward to working together as he prepares to lead Hershey,” said Buck. “Leading this incredible company—and having the privilege of working alongside such a dedicated, high-performing team—has been the greatest honor of my career. I’m confident that under Kirk’s leadership, Hershey will continue to achieve great things.”
As the leadership transition unfolds, Hershey remains focused on executing its strategic priorities, deepening stakeholder engagement, and delivering strong results in a dynamic global snacking market.
