# Hershey Company (The)

**Source:** https://geo.sig.ai/brands/hershey-company-the  
**Vertical:** Consumer Goods  
**Subcategory:** Enterprise  
**Tier:** Leader  
**Website:** thehersheycompany.com  
**Last Updated:** 2026-04-14

## Summary

Hershey PA chocolate and snacks (NYSE: HSY) ~$10.2B FY2024 revenue; Reese's #1 US candy brand, cocoa inflation $2.5K→$12K/MT crisis, SkinnyPop salty snacks, competing with Mars and Ferrero.

## Company Overview

The Hershey Company is a Hershey, Pennsylvania-based confectionery and snacks company — publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HSY) as an S&P 500 Consumer Staples component — manufacturing and selling chocolate, candy, mints, gum, and salty snacks through iconic brands including Hershey's (chocolate bars, Kisses), Reese's (peanut butter cups — America's #1 candy brand by revenue), Kit Kat (licensed from Nestlé for the US market), York Peppermint Patties, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers, Skinny Pop, Dot's Pretzels, and Pirate's Booty through approximately 18,000 employees in 80+ countries. In fiscal year 2024, Hershey reported net sales of approximately $10.2 billion, with earnings per share significantly compressed by unprecedented cocoa commodity inflation: West African cocoa prices (Ghana and Ivory Coast provide 70%+ of global cocoa supply) surged from $2,500/metric ton in 2022 to over $12,000/metric ton in early 2024 — the highest prices in 50+ years — driven by El Niño-related drought and crop disease (swollen shoot disease) reducing cocoa harvests, creating a chocolate manufacturer cost crisis that Hershey absorbed through price increases and hedging while managing volume declines as consumers resisted higher candy prices. CEO Michele Buck has guided Hershey through the cocoa inflation crisis by implementing 10-15% retail price increases in 2023-2024, reformulating some lower-margin products to reduce cocoa content, and hedging cocoa commodity exposure on a rolling 12-18 month forward basis to smooth out extreme spot price volatility.

Hershey's confectionery model creates competitive advantages through the iconic brand equity of Hershey's chocolate and Reese's peanut butter cups in the US candy market: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups hold the #1 candy brand position in the US by dollar sales — a position maintained for years through the distinctive combination of Hershey chocolate and Reese's peanut butter that has no direct brand substitute in consumer preference studies. The Hershey-owned production capacity (US manufacturing in Hershey PA, Robinson IL, Stuarts Draft VA, and international plants) provides vertical integration from cocoa sourcing to finished chocolate product distribution — enabling Hershey to control quality and capture manufacturing margins rather than co-manufacturing. The seasonal candy market timing (Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, Christmas represent 60%+ of candy category volume) creates predictable demand cycles that Hershey manages through retail co-promotion planning and seasonal pack development. Hershey's salty snacks portfolio (acquired Amplify Snack Brands for $1.6B in 2018 — bringing SkinnyPop, Pirate's Booty — and Dot's Pretzels in 2021) diversifies beyond chocolate into the $22B US salty snacks market.

In 2025, Hershey competes in US chocolate and candy against Mars Inc. (private, M&M's, Snickers, Twix, Milky Way — largest US candy company by revenue), Mondelez International (NASDAQ: MDLZ, Cadbury, Toblerone, Ritz — international chocolate and snacks), and Ferrero (private, Nutella, Tic Tac, Kinder — rapidly growing US market share through Fannie May and Nestle USA confectionery acquisitions) for US candy market share, retail shelf space during seasonal candy periods, and premium dark chocolate segment positioning. The cocoa inflation trajectory (cocoa prices declining from $12,000/MT peak as improved 2025 West Africa harvests increase supply, with 2025 futures settling toward $7,000-8,000/MT) determines Hershey's earnings recovery path — chocolate margins compressed severely in 2024, and normalization of cocoa costs would significantly boost earnings even without volume recovery. Hershey's pricing actions (2023-2024 price increases) and reformulation investments need to retain consumer loyalty as private label chocolate options became more attractive during the premium candy price run-up. The 2025 strategy focuses on cocoa cost management through forward hedging as prices normalize, volume recovery from consumers returning to premium branded candy at stabilized prices, and salty snacks portfolio growth capturing snack occasions beyond chocolate.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What does The Hershey Company do?
The Hershey Company is an industry-leading snacks company that manufactures, markets, and sells chocolate and confectionery products, as well as salty snacks. The company operates globally with over 90 brand names in approximately 80 countries, generating $11.2 billion in annual revenue. Hershey's portfolio includes iconic chocolate brands like Hershey's, Reese's, Kit Kat, and Kisses, as well as candy brands like Jolly Rancher and Twizzlers, and salty snacks including SkinnyPop, Pirate's Booty, and Dot's Pretzels.

### Who are The Hershey Company's customers and target market?
Hershey serves a broad consumer base across all age groups and demographics in approximately 80 countries worldwide. The company's primary market is North America, where it holds approximately 35.5% of the U.S. chocolate market. Target segments include families seeking affordable treats, adults purchasing premium chocolate products, health-conscious consumers through its better-for-you snacks portfolio, and younger consumers through brands like Sour Strips with strong social media presence.

### When was The Hershey Company founded?
The Hershey Chocolate Company was founded by Milton S. Hershey in 1894 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. However, the company's roots trace back to 1886 when Milton established the Lancaster Caramel Company. After seeing chocolate-making equipment at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, he launched the chocolate company as a subsidiary. The first Hershey's Milk Chocolate bar was produced in 1900, and in 1903, construction began on the massive factory in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

### Where is The Hershey Company based?
The Hershey Company is headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States, a town that Milton Hershey built around his chocolate factory starting in 1903. The original location, formerly known as Derry Church, was renamed Hershey and became a model company town. The company operates manufacturing facilities worldwide, including the world's largest chocolate manufacturing plant in Hershey, which underwent major expansion completed in 2024.

### What is The Hershey Company's unique ownership structure?
The Hershey Company has a unique ownership structure where the Milton Hershey School Trust holds approximately 80% of the voting power, despite the company being publicly traded on the NYSE. This arrangement stems from 1918 when founder Milton Hershey donated his entire fortune, including controlling interest in the company, to fund the Milton Hershey School for underserved children. This governance structure ensures company profits continue to support the school's educational mission and protects Hershey from unwanted acquisitions, as demonstrated by the Trust's rejection of Mondelēz's $50 billion offer in 2024.

### What makes The Hershey Company different from competitors?
Hershey differentiates itself through several key factors: its rich 130-year American heritage and emotional brand connections; its unique philanthropic ownership structure benefiting the Milton Hershey School; market leadership in North America with 35.5% of the U.S. chocolate market; a diversified portfolio spanning chocolate, candy, and salty snacks; vertical integration in chocolate manufacturing; and a strong focus on sustainability through programs like CocoaLink supporting cocoa farmers. Unlike pure-play chocolate companies, Hershey has successfully expanded into adjacent snacking categories while maintaining its core confectionery strength.

### Who are The Hershey Company's main competitors?
Hershey's main competitors in the confectionery market include Mars Incorporated (maker of M&M's, Snickers, Twix), Ferrero International (Ferrero Rocher, Nutella, Kinder), Mondelēz International (Cadbury, Milka, Toblerone), Nestlé (global Kit Kat owner, Crunch, Butterfinger), and Lindt & Sprüngli. Together, Hershey and Mars account for over 60% of the U.S. confectionery market. In salty snacks, Hershey competes with PepsiCo (Frito-Lay), Conagra Brands, and numerous regional players.

### How can I contact The Hershey Company?
You can contact The Hershey Company through several channels: visit the official website at www.thehersheycompany.com for general inquiries and investor relations; for career opportunities and applications, visit careers.thehersheycompany.com or call +1-877-804-1794 for accommodation requests; email ApplicationHelp@hersheys.com for recruiting questions with 'Accommodation Needed' in the subject line if applicable. The company is headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

### Is The Hershey Company hiring?
Yes, The Hershey Company actively hires across its global operations of approximately 20,030 employees. The company offers positions across multiple functions including manufacturing, supply chain, marketing, sales, finance, technology, and corporate roles. Career opportunities can be explored at careers.thehersheycompany.com. Hershey is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veterans and offers competitive benefits including up to 20 weeks paid parental leave, flexible work arrangements, and professional development programs.

### What's the latest news about The Hershey Company?
Recent major developments include: completing the $750 million acquisition of LesserEvil in November 2025 to expand better-for-you snacks; reporting full-year 2024 revenue of $11.20 billion with 0.3% growth despite high cocoa prices; rejecting Mondelēz's nearly $50 billion acquisition offer in December 2024; completing the Sour Strips acquisition in November 2024; announcing Michele Buck's retirement as CEO in August 2025 and Kirk Tanner's appointment as new CEO; and facing margin pressure from historically high cocoa prices projected to impact 2025-2026 earnings.

### What is The Hershey Company's market position?
The Hershey Company is the leading chocolate manufacturer in the United States with approximately 35.5% market share, slightly ahead of Mars. The company ranks as the world's 600th most valuable company with a market capitalization of approximately $37 billion as of late 2024. Together with Mars, Hershey dominates over 60% of the U.S. confectionery market. The company's salty snacks portfolio grew 1.5 times faster in 2024 compared to the previous three years, demonstrating successful diversification beyond core chocolate business.

### What are The Hershey Company's future plans?
Hershey's strategic priorities focus on several key areas: expanding its salty snacks and better-for-you portfolio through acquisitions like LesserEvil; innovating with new flavors and product formats to attract younger consumers; investing in sustainability and ethical sourcing through programs like CocoaLink; leveraging digital and social media marketing, particularly for brands like Sour Strips; managing cocoa price volatility through strategic sourcing and pricing actions; and maintaining market leadership in core chocolate categories while growing adjacent snacking platforms. The company aims to balance innovation with the heritage and quality that have defined Hershey for over 130 years.

## Tags

b2c, fortune500, manufacturing, north-america, public, retailtech

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*Data from geo.sig.ai Brand Intelligence Database. Updated 2026-04-14.*