---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000047111-25-000095"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "HSY"
cik: "0000047111"
company_name: "HERSHEY CO"
filed_at: "2025-07-08T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-18T09:12:23.024084+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Hershey appoints Kirk Tanner as CEO, effective Aug. 18, 2025

## Summary
- Kirk Tanner, formerly CEO of Wendy's and PepsiCo Beverages NA, named President and CEO of Hershey effective Aug. 18, 2025.
- Tanner receives $1.25M base salary, 180% target bonus, and ~$14.4M in initial equity awards (RSUs and PSUs).
- Outgoing CEO Michele Buck retires as planned, will serve as special advisor until June 2026 and independent contractor through Dec. 2026.
- Buck announced retirement in Jan. 2025; no dispute or disagreement with the company.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000047111-25-000095
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: HSY
- cik: 0000047111
- company_name: HERSHEY CO
- filed_at: 2025-07-08T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/47111/000004711125000095/0000047111-25-000095-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/47111/000004711125000095/hsy-20250706.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000047111-25-000095
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000047111-25-000095.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000047111-25-000095.txt

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.