The Hershey Co. has appointed Kirk Tanner as its new president and CEO effective Aug. 18. Tanner resigned as CEO of Wendy’s after just 18 months with the fast-food chain. He succeeds Michele Buck, who has served as president and CEO since March 2017.
Buck, who announced her retirement in January, will work with Tanner in a senior advisory capacity to ensure his successful transition, the company said.
“I am thrilled to see Kirk step into the role and look forward to working closely to help him onboard as he makes the transition to Hershey,” said Buck.
Tanner (pictured above) brings a “focused, results-driven mindset,” Mary Kay Haben, lead independent director and chair of the CEO search committee, said in a statement. “His deep experience in snacks, beverages, mergers and acquisitions and innovation—combined with public company CEO and board roles—makes him well suited to lead Hershey into the future.”
Prior to his position at Dublin, Ohio-based Wendy’s, Tanner spent three decades in various roles at PepsiCo, including CEO of PepsiCo Beverages of North America. At PepsiCo, he oversaw a $28 billion business across a diverse portfolio of brands, including Pepsi, Gatorade, Mountain Dew, Pure Leaf and bubly.
With Tanner’s return to the consumer-packaged goods business, Wendy’s said it has named CFO Ken Cook as interim CEO.
“We understand Kirk's decision to return to the consumer-packaged goods industry and wish him well in leading Hershey,” Wendy’s Chairman of the Board Art Winkleblack said in a statement.
The Hershey Co., which has more than 90 brands in approximately 70 countries, is based in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
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