Hershey names Kirk Tanner as CEO, succeeding Michele Buck
Tanner brings over three decades of experience in food and beverage to lead Hershey into its next phase of transformation.
USA – The Hershey Company has announced the appointment of Kirk Tanner as its new president and chief executive officer, effective August 18, 2025.
Tanner will succeed Michele G. Buck, who earlier this year announced her decision to retire after leading the company since 2017.
Tanner is currently serving as president and CEO of The Wendy’s Co., a position he assumed in February 2024.
Prior to Wendy’s, he spent over 31 years at PepsiCo, Inc., holding a series of senior leadership roles. These included the Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo Beverages North America, the President of PepsiCo’s Global Foodservice Division, and the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Frito-Lay’s West Division.
He began his professional journey as a merchandising and sales representative intern at Procter & Gamble.
“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.”
Hershey emphasized Tanner’s background in snacks, beverages, mergers and acquisitions, and innovation as key strengths supporting the company’s future growth.
Michele Buck, who has spent nearly two decades at Hershey, was credited with driving the transformation of the company from a confectionery brand to a diversified snacking powerhouse.
Under her leadership, Hershey acquired several snack businesses, including Dot’s Pretzels and Pretzels Inc. in 2021, Pirate Brands in 2018, and Amplify Snack Brands in 2017.
In fiscal 2023, salty snacks accounted for US$1.1 billion of Hershey’s US$11.2 billion in total sales. Buck previously held multiple executive roles at Hershey, including chief operating officer, president of North America, and global chief growth officer.
Haben praised Buck’s legacy, stating, “Michele architected and championed Hershey’s Leading Snacking Powerhouse vision, guiding the company through multiple phases of transformational growth.”
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