Kirk Tanner Named Hershey CEO Amid Industry Challenges

Kirk Tanner, currently CEO of Wendy's and former longtime PepsiCo executive, has been appointed as the next president and CEO of The Hershey Company, effective August 18, 2025, succeeding Michele Buck. Buck, who led Hershey for nearly eight years and spent two decades with the company, will remain in a senior advisory role to support the leadership transition. Tanner departs Wendy's after a brief tenure marked by menu innovation and expansion but also amid the company's declining sales and stock performance. At Hershey, Tanner is expected to address challenges such as high cocoa prices and changing consumer spending patterns. Wendy's CFO Ken Cook has been named interim CEO while a search for a permanent replacement is underway. Industry analysts view the transition as smooth and believe Tanner’s industry experience positions him well to lead Hershey through current market uncertainties.