Company Overview

The The Hershey Company is a global confectionery and snacking company primarily engaged in the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of chocolate, non-chocolate confectionery, and snack products. The company operates within the confectionery, snacks, and food manufacturing industries, with chocolate representing its largest revenue driver. Hershey’s portfolio includes iconic brands such as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kit Kat (U.S. license), Kisses, Twizzlers, Ice Breakers, SkinnyPop, and Dot’s Pretzels, serving both mass-market and premium segments.

Hershey’s core customer base consists of large-scale retailers, grocery chains, convenience stores, wholesalers, and e-commerce platforms, primarily in North America, with expanding reach in select international markets. The company benefits from strong brand equity, extensive retail distribution, and scale efficiencies in manufacturing and marketing. Founded in 1894 by Milton S. Hershey, the company began as a chocolate manufacturer in Pennsylvania and evolved into one of the largest confectionery companies globally, while maintaining a unique ownership structure influenced by the Hershey Trust Company, which holds a controlling interest.

Business Operations

Hershey operates through two primary reportable segments: North America Confectionery and North America Salty Snacks, with a third segment, International, encompassing confectionery and snack operations outside the U.S. The North America Confectionery segment remains the largest contributor to revenue and profitability, driven by chocolate brands such as Reese’s, Hershey’s, and Kit Kat, as well as sugar confectionery including Twizzlers and Jolly Rancher.

The North America Salty Snacks segment includes brands such as SkinnyPop, Dot’s Pretzels, and Pirate’s Booty, reflecting Hershey’s strategy to diversify beyond confectionery into faster-growing snack categories. International operations focus on markets such as Brazil, Mexico, India, and China, where Hershey adapts its product offerings to local tastes. The company controls extensive manufacturing facilities, proprietary recipes, brand licenses, and a vertically integrated supply chain, while also engaging in strategic co-manufacturing and distribution partnerships in certain regions.

Strategic Position & Investments

Hershey’s strategic direction emphasizes core brand reinforcement, expansion in salty snacks, disciplined pricing, and productivity improvements to offset commodity cost volatility. Growth initiatives include brand-led innovation, package size optimization, and increased marketing investment in high-growth brands such as Reese’s and SkinnyPop. The company has also prioritized digital commerce capabilities and data-driven revenue management.

Key acquisitions supporting this strategy include SkinnyPop (Amplify Snack Brands), Pirate Brands, and Dot’s Pretzels, which strengthened Hershey’s presence in the U.S. salty snacks category. Hershey continues to invest in automation, sustainability initiatives, and responsible sourcing, particularly through its cocoa supply chain programs. While international expansion remains selective, the company has identified emerging markets as a long-term growth opportunity, though results have been mixed and vary by region based on consumer preferences and economic conditions.

Geographic Footprint

Hershey is headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and generates the majority of its revenue from North America, particularly the United States and Canada. The company maintains manufacturing plants and distribution centers across North America, supporting its dominant domestic market position.

Internationally, Hershey operates in parts of Latin America, Asia, and Europe, with notable presences in Brazil, Mexico, India, and China. These markets are served through a combination of wholly owned subsidiaries, joint ventures, and licensing arrangements. While international sales represent a smaller portion of total revenue compared to domestic operations, Hershey continues to view global markets as an important long-term growth lever.

Leadership & Governance

Hershey is led by an experienced executive team with a focus on long-term value creation, brand stewardship, and disciplined capital allocation. The company’s governance structure is influenced by the Hershey Trust Company, which maintains voting control and emphasizes sustainable growth aligned with the trust’s philanthropic mission.

Key executives include:

• Michele G. Buck – President and Chief Executive Officer
• Steven E. Voskuil – Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
• Stacey Tang – Senior Vice President, Chief Growth Officer
• Deepa Srikantaiah – Senior Vice President, Chief People Officer
• Todd Scott – President, U.S. Confection

Leadership philosophy centers on brand-led growth, operational excellence, and responsible business practices, with a strategic vision focused on maintaining category leadership while expanding into adjacent snack segments.